#EquityStartsLocally Pledge

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) launched the #EquityStartsLocally pledge campaign in July 2024, marking the 15th anniversary of the national, valid, credible, and vendor-neutral certification program for healthcare interpreters in the United States.

The #EquityStartsLocally pledge campaign urges hospital and health system leaders, language companies, interpreter associations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and implement strategies to strengthen language access infrastructure in the local communities to which they provide service and to invest in building community capacity for language justice.

To accelerate progress toward eliminating health disparities, improving quality of care and advancing inclusive representation in healthcare, all hospitals, health systems, language companies, and interpreter associations are being called on to make these efforts a priority.  Please consider endorsing the pledge today, and join us as we encourage and support local communities in strengthening local language access infrastructure for health equity.

Pledge Commitment

I pledge to take action on one or more of the following #EquityStartsLocally goals. The goals selected below will be completed in alignment with the strategic goals of my organization.

• Support hospitals in maintaining in-house language access programs employing qualified healthcare interpreters who live in the hospital’s service area
• Prioritize recruitment of nationally certified healthcare interpreters for employment and contract work
• Invest in local partnerships to identify and develop interpreter talent in the communities we serve

Through the #EquityStartsLocally pledge, we are challenging every healthcare organization, language service company, interpreter association, and language justice stakeholder group to commit to strengthening language access infrastructure in the local communities to which they provide service and to invest in building community capacity for language justice.

1. Take the Pledge

Pledge to begin work toward achieving the #EquityStartsLocally goals to help ensure equitable healthcare for all persons in every community.

2. Take Action

Implement new strategies that are reflected in your strategic plan and supported by your board and leadership. Provide updates on progress to your board and to CCHI, to gauge progress and develop tools and resources to support your work.

3. Tell Others

Achieve the goals, be recognized and tell your story. Share your work through webinars and other educational forums, including social media, to accelerate progress and demonstrate to the public our collective commitment.

Recognizing Local Investments

Throughout the year, CCHI will recognize healthcare organizations, language service companies, interpreter associations, and language justice stakeholder groups that are making progress towards #EquityStartsLocally goals, by featuring their commitments, achievements and stories.