Interpreter Services Statement Form (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Interpreter Services Statement Form Page 2

INTERPRETER SERVICES

DPSS prefers to use our own free interpreters when talking with you. But you can

choose to use your own friend or family member to interpret for you.

We don’t like to use other interpreters because of the risk of communication errors

and possible mistakes. These errors may affect how much help or aid you may get

from us. In part, these errors may occur because of specialized language and

concepts used in welfare programs. A person who is not a DPSS employee might

not understand all this special vocabulary. They might make a mistake.

DPSS must ask you some very sensitive and personal questions. Having a friend

or family member interpret might make it hard for you to tell us all the personal

information that we need.

Finally, all our employees must keep anything you say confidential. This means

they can’t tell anyone else (except DPSS staff) what you say. They can’t even tell

someone else that you were here today.

DPSS has no control over your interpreter.

We cannot make sure that your

interpreter does not share information with someone outside of DPSS. We will ask

your interpreter to sign a form saying they won’t tell anyone what they hear today,

and that they will keep all your information confidential. But we have no control

over them. For these reasons, we prefer to use our own free interpreters.

Interpreter Services Statement Form Page 2