Cultural Competency
Care1st Health Plan Arizona (Care1st) believes that effective health communication is as important to health care as clinical skill. Health care providers must recognize and address the unique cultural, language, and health literacy of diverse members and communities to improve individual and community health.
Interpretation Services
Language and face-to-face sign language interpretations are available at no cost to members and contracted providers.
- Interpreter language line:
- Care1st providers have access to CyraCom’s interpretation services, and each practice is assigned a PIN # that is required to access CyraCom’s interpretation services. To obtain the PIN #, contact Care1st Network Management at 1-866-560-4042 (TTY/TDD: 711) (option 5, 7).
- Call CyraCom at 1-800-481-3293 to access this service. CyraCom’s customer service is also available to help at 1-800-481-3289.
- American Sign Language (ASL):
- Valley Center of the Deaf provides face-to-face interpretation service with American Sign Language (ASL) for our members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Services are arranged through Member Services 1-866-560-4042 (TTY/TDD 711). Valley Center of the Deaf recommends setting up services seven (7) business days in advance of the appointment.
- TTY/TDD services are available to members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Member Information
Language and face-to-face sign language interpretations are available at no cost to members and contracted providers.
- Member handbooks and other important information are available in English and Spanish. Other languages are available upon request by contacting Member Services.
- Educational information is available on our Member Empowerment page.
Resource Corner
Care1st actively participates in a multi-AHCCCS health plan collaboration (called C-3) which focuses on ways to foster and improve cultural competency awareness to better serve our members. Thanks to the combined effort of the C-3 group, Care1st is pleased to offer the following tools for our providers and their staff:
Below is a sample of resources that provide more information about cultural competence and health literacy.
- Ask Me 3®
- Health Literacy Improvement Tools, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- Documenting the implementation of Cultural and Linguistic Competence: A Guide for Maternal and Child health Bureau Funded Training Programs
- Health education and communications tools, CMS
- LGBTQI+ Youth Friendly Services Starter Guide, Adolescent Health Initiative
- Teach Back Technique
Provider & Staff Training
The Industry Collaboration Effort (ICE) is a non-profit organization comprised of health care industry volunteers. The ICE organization has produced educational training presentations and toolkits for providers regarding cultural competency. Topics include ways to improve communication with the diverse member population you serve.
Free Continuing Medical Education (CME)/CE Credits!
Explore these free, continuing education e-learning programs to help you provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS).
- Think Cultural Health, U.S. Department of Human & Health Services (DHHS), Office of Minority Health. Programs are available, but not limited to, for the following disciplines:
- Behavioral health
- Maternal health care
- Nurses
- Oral health providers
- Physicians
- Promotores de salud
- Medicare Learning Network, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)