CLAS Standards (Foundational & Advanced)
Leadership Intensive (Policy Review + Organizational Strategy)
CLAS Standards (Foundational & Advanced)
Leadership Intensive (Policy Review + Organizational Strategy)
Program Overview
This dual-tier course provides a masterclass in the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS). It moves from the foundational "What" of the 15 standards to the advanced "How" of organizational governance. This program is essential for leaders looking to embed equity into the very infrastructure of their healthcare system.
Module 1: CLAS Foundations (The 15 Standards) Topics: The Principal Standard; Theme 1: Governance, Leadership, and Workforce; Theme 2: Communication and Language Assistance; Theme 3: Engagement, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability.
Module 2: The Legal and Financial Case for CLAS Topics: Aligning CLAS with Joint Commission standards; The relationship between CLAS and value-based purchasing/reimbursement; Mitigating legal risk through adherence.
Module 3: Advanced Governance and Leadership Topics: Diversifying the board and executive leadership; Implementing "Equity Dashboards" for institutional oversight; Establishing recruitment and retention strategies for a diverse workforce.
Module 4: Community Engagement & Institutional Accountability Topics: Building Community Advisory Boards (CABs); Conducting organizational cultural audits; Public reporting of health equity progress.
Learning Objectives
- Map the 15 National CLAS Standards to specific departmental policies and procedures.
- Evaluate the current level of organizational CLAS compliance using a standardized audit tool.
- Design a leadership strategy for diversifying the workforce and promoting inclusive governance.
- Establish a framework for continuous improvement that includes community feedback and transparent data reporting.
Requirements
- Organizational Gap Analysis: Conduct an audit of one department or policy using the "CLAS Checklist" and identify three areas for improvement.
- Leadership Policy Draft: Write a mock "Inclusive Hiring & Retention" policy that aligns with CLAS Theme 1.
- Community Engagement Strategy: Outline a plan to establish or improve a Community Advisory Board for your facility.
- Capstone Certification Exam: A comprehensive 30-question exam covering all 15 CLAS standards and their application in healthcare leadership.