1. Identifying Communication Challenges and Gaps in Services for Mayans in Florida and Developing a Toolkit to Assist Providers
The 2009 Fresh Ideas Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grantee Meeting
April 21-23, 2009
Chicago, IL
Presented by: Nathalie Lummert
Cecile Motus

2. Project Description and Goals
There are a high number of people working in the migrant fields in South Florida and who are unable to access needed health and mental health services due to their lack of ability to speak either Spanish or English.
This project has three main goals:
Identify Service Needs via a Gap Analysis
Develop a Web-Based Toolkit that can be downloadable free
Develop a more formalized structure for providing translation services
Points around the goals:
Goal 1: We know that there are over 50 plus dialects of Maya languages, therefore we need to identify which ones are the most commonly used in order to build a useable tool. In addition, we need to learn what are the most common service issues identified by both the Maya and the service providers attempting to provide services to the population.
Goal 2: We know that there are pockets of Maya located throughout the United States. Therefore, we want to develop a free downloadable toolkit, which is available on the BRYCS website and can be promoted through out the USCCB network in order to provide this tools to a larger population of service providers outside of the South FL community.
Goal 3: We know that there are informal translation taking place via friends and family members. However, we are concerned that information is not being appropriately shared to the service provider due to the lack of translation skills (i.e. translating word for word). Therefore, we are hoping to have a more professional approach to translation by training the local Maya leadership on ethics and confidentiality regarding interpretation services. As a result, we are hoping that as of result of have a morel formal and professional process there will be better access to health and mental health services for Maya language speakers. In addition, there may be confidentiality issues around translation and therefore, there is a need to address ethics and confidentiality with potential Mayan translators. And lastly, research has shown that children learn new languages more quickly than adults. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a parent to take a child to translate for them. This is detrimental for a number of reasons, but of greatest concern is the adult may not share all the information due to potential embarrassment. Therefore, the provider cannot fully assess the client’s situation. Additionally, it always provides an opportunity for a shift in familial roles, which may make both the child and adult uncomfortable and therefore, having a negative impact on their relationship.

3. Challenges
The Search for appropriate and available staff in our target area of South Florida.
We now have two part-time staff based in Florida- one with a PhD in Social Work who is bi-lingual and has 15 years experience working with migrant and refugee communities, and the other an educator.

4. Project’s Biggest Success

5. Successes Established good contacts with Maya leadership nation-wide
Developed a list of Maya language interpreters to assist as needed
Provided interpretation skills training for Maya leadership
Engaged national Maya leadership in the goals of the project for their feedback and suggestions
Our agency’s extensive experience in migrant services brings existing resources and social service network knowledge to the project

6. Next Steps 2009
Gap Analysis- interviews and focus groups and gap analysis report in South Florida.
Develop and test a toolkit with local service providers in response to gap analysis findings.
Develop “train the trainer” interpreter curriculum
Consult national Maya leadership on appropriateness of toolkit and interpreter curriculum.
(2010- National launch)

7. Opportunities for Technical Assistance
Assistance in connecting to the Maya in your community. Our Secretariat for Cultural Diversity supports the Mayan Pastoral Project, a leadership formation program reaching 33 dioceses with Mayan community presence.
BRYCS ( provides technical assistance to those serving immigrant children & families – web-based clearinghouse and technical assistance on child welfare and refugees.
The national Justice for Immigrants Campaign ( has current policy and advocacy information related to comprehensive immigration reform efforts.
Links to community refugee resettlement organizations- we work with over 100 programs nation-wide serving refugees, victims of trafficking, and undocumented families.