2024-2026 Introduction to C.L.A.S. Standards
There is a growing need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) in healthcare settings, driven by local and national legislative, regulatory, and accreditation mandates. The National CLAS Standards, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offer a comprehensive framework consisting of 15 action steps aimed at promoting health equity, enhancing quality of care, and reducing existing healthcare disparities through the implementation of culturally and linguistically sensitive services. This course provides a grounding in these action steps.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, certified public health professionals, social workers, and physical therapists.
Learning Objectives
When you complete this module, you will be able to:
- Describe the historical context of CLAS.
- Recognize cultural differences experienced.
- Differentiate between equality and equity.
- Explain the value of implementing CLAS Standards.
- Integrate CLAS Standards into your professional practice.
Funding
This update is not supported by the original funding source but we would like to acknowledge that source.
The first edition of the module was supported through The Texas Center for Health Disparities by the National Institute on Minority Health And Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health(NIH) under Award Number U54MD006882. This update is not tied to that funding source
Disclosures
In accordance with the appropriate accrediting bodies, all planners, teachers, and authors with control over activity content are required to disclose to the provider any relevant financial relationships (those held by the person, currently or within the last 24 months) with ineligible interests. Accredited providers are required to provide this information to learners before the start of an activity. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Division of Academic Innovation's office planning team nor the subject matter experts have anything to disclose.
Primary Authors
Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CPPS, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC
Assistant Professor, Department of Lifestyle Health Sciences
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, School of Health Professions
Clinical Executive for Health Literacy, SaferCare Texas
Fellow and Project Director, Texas Center for Health Disparities
Review
Input from targeted health professions was obtained through a review of earlier edition comments from those targeted professions.
Instructional Design
Brenda Wilson, MS, CHCP
Senior Instructional Designer
CE & Assessment Department, Division of Academic Innovation, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CPPS, FNAP, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC
Teresa Wagner, DrPH, MS, CPH, RD/LD, CPPS, FNAP, CHWI, DipACLM, CHWC
Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing Education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit.
American Osteopathic Association
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to award continuing medical education to physicians.
National Board of Public Health Examiners
This activity is approved for 1 credit(s) accepted by the National Board of Public Health Examiners' Certified Public Health (CPH) recertification program.
Texas Physical Therapy Association
This activity is offered by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #2409035TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.
Designation Statements
Physicians
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth designates this program for a maximum of 1.0 contact hour of AOA Category 2B CME credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity.
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pharmacist
This knowledge-based activity has been assigned UAN JA0004637-0000-24-023-H05-P and will award 1 contact hour of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognized ACPE Providers.
Statements of participation will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes completing the activity, its accompanying evaluation and/or posttest (score 70% or higher) and requesting credit online at the conclusion of the activity.
Credit will be uploaded to CPE Monitor, and participants may print a statement of credit or transcript from their NABP e-profile. HSC complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education.
Nurses
This activity provides up to 1.0 contact hours.
Certified Public Health Professionals
This activity provides 1.0 contact hours.
Social Workers
Social Workers completing this course receive 1.0 contact hour of continuing education credits.
Physical Therapists
This course provides 1.0 contact hours for PTs and PTAs licensed in Texas.
For successful completion, a participant must attend the program, complete the evaluation, and request credit online at the conclusion of the activity.
Certificate of Attendance
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth certifies this activity for 1.0 hours of participation.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 ANCC
- 1.00 AOA Category 2-B
- 1.00 ASWB Credit
- 1.00 Certified Public Health (CPH)
- 1.00 HSC Participation
Price
Required Hardware/software
This activity is best experienced using the most current browser (or one back) of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, or Microsoft Edge. For all activities featuring audio, you must have a sound card and speakers. To view graphic images and references that appear in separate "pop-up" windows, you must have session cookies enabled on your computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader may be required for certain activities.
Accessibility Statement
If you require special assistance to participate in this activity, please call (817) 735-2539 or email: register@unthsc.edu. An Equal Opportunity University.