The best organizations have a business growth strategy that builds organizational culture, productivity, creativity, and innovation. They recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace to retention of employees and to long-term business success.
Standards Nacionales sobre Servicios en el Idioma Adecuado (CLAS) en español
(Lo increíble es que con tanto que se habla de la adecuacidad del idioma en esta nación, hayan traducido la frase “health care” como “cuidado sanitario” en la traducción oficial de estos Standards, por tanto he decidido proveer una mejor. Los traduje yo misma. Recuerden amigos que pueden EXIGIR un intérprete cuando vayan a cualquier hospital o clínica que reciba ayuda federal.)
Los Standards 4 al 7 SON OBLIGATORIOS para todas las entidades que ofrecen servicios médicos en Estados Unidos y reciben cualquier tipo de ayuda económica federal.
Standard 4 – Las organizaciones de cuidado médico deben ofrecer y proveer servicios de asistencia en el idioma, incluyendo personal bilingüe y servicios de intérprete sin costo alguno para cada paciente o consumidor que tenga dominio limitado del inglés en todos los lugares donde se entre en contacto con ellos, en el momento apropiado y durante todas las horas de operación.
Standard 5 – Todas las entidades de cuidado médico deben proveer a los pacientes/consumidores ofertas verbales y escritas en el idioma de su predilección informándoles de su derecho a recibir servicios de asistencia con el idioma.
Standard 6 – Las entidades de servicios médicos deben asegurarse de que la asistencia provista con el idioma a los pacientes y consumidores de limitado dominio del inglés sea competente por parte de los intérpretes y personal bilingüe. La familia y amigos del paciente no deben ser usados para proveer servicios de interpretación (excepto si el paciente/consumidor así lo solicita).
Standard 7- Las organizaciones deben hacer accesibles materiales de lectura y letreros fáciles de leer y en los idiomas más comúnmente usados por los grupos representados en la comunidad en que sirven.
Culture broker
The term “culture broker” or “cultural broker” is not particularly defined in the literature but is defined through common usage as a person who facilitates the border crossing of another person or group of people from one culture to another culture. Jezewski (in Jezewski & Sotnik, 2001) defined culture broking as “the act of bridging, linking or mediating between groups or persons of differing cultural backgrounds for the purpose of reducing conflict or producing change”. Usually the culture broker is from one or other of the cultures but could be from a third group. Often they are capable of acting in both directions. The role covers more than being an interpreter, although this is an important attribute in cross-cultural situations where language is part of the role.
A broker is usually defined as a middleman and emphasizes the commercial aspect such as in stockbroker. In terms of cultural broker, the use of the term broker is most in accord with “middleman, intermediary, or agent generally; an interpreter, messenger, commissioner” from the Oxford English Dictionary and the idea of reward is not necessarily financial (e.g. Szasz, 2001). The Oxford English Dictionary does not give a specific definition for cultural broker.
The origin of the term is in the field of anthropology in the mid-1900s, when several anthropologists wrote about native people whose role in their society was as a cultural intermediary or cultural broker, usually with the western society. The term ‘cultural intermediary’ was used in some of the literature, with ‘culture broker’ and ‘cultural broker’ as alternatives. Other terms used include ‘innovator’ and ‘marginal man’. The genre was given an historical perspective and the field of ethnohistory came into existence. The background to this can be found in the introduction to Margaret Connell Szasz’s Between Indian and White Worlds: The Cultural Broker (Szasz, 2001).
Resilient Mediation
I just came across the term “resilient engineering” as an approach to safety which is apparently becoming a new trend in organizational-industrial psychology. It immediately caught my attention because of the difficulty of translating it into Spanish. Then I realized that the word resilience in English is interesting as well because it denotes a sort of elasticity and adaptability to movement or change, and can be used to describe both objects and people.
In the present context, it seems to imply the idea that it is the subjective degree of resiliency in our present frame of mind regarding what is perceived by the consensus as a risk (the unpredictable possibility of failure or success of some future action), what actually determines whether it will be viewed by the consensus as a failure or success ex post facto.
The importance of this new way of interpreting these outcomes seems to be that it focuses on being ready, willing and able to cope resiliently with consequences by having been able to anticipate risk, and facing it instead of trying to avoid it: Being able to foresee where either outcome will lead and what steps will be taken at that point.
The reason why I, as a mediator, love this new concept of “resiliency” is that it reinforces my belief that a mediator’s role is proactive and it starts with thorough preparedness ahead of the session, preparedness which ought to include the conceptualization of what the different participants want the outcome to be, as well as my own objective and impartial view of one or more possible outcomes.*
Research and preparedness, meeting in caucus to discuss what possible outcomes will effectively lead the participants towards that “medium point” or balance ought to be the mediators’ north. When there is good faith, mediation becomes the path to the center (“el punto medio”) where justice is found.
It is the path that leads away from fear and constrained performance, and leads the way to change and adaptation to new conditions regardless whether the mediation turned out as what had been anticipated as a failure or a success by each participant. The outcome ends up being viewed positively and generates a feeling of satisfaction because the mediation produced results that were foreseeable and for which each is prepared.
It will be our resilience as mediators, that is, our strength and elasticity based on research and preparedness and the ability to adapt ourselves to the “success” or cope with the “failure” that will determine the next step. It is our resilience which will shape the current conditions, by not becoming paralyzed by failure or success but by continuing to make good decisions, being thorough and striving for efficiency.
*That the conducting researcher is a variable that must be taken into account in any experiment is an idea which was introduced into scientific thought by quantum physics more than half a century ago. By the same token, the mediator is a variable that influences the outcome of any mediation; That is undeniable, and the reason why there are good mediators and bad.
Cultural Mediation || Mediación Cultural
Cultural mediation has the objective of facilitating relations between local and foreign citizens and/or organizations. It intends to promote reciprocal knowledge and comprehension aimed at favoring a positive relationship between subjects of different cultural backgrounds, as are the North American and the Latino. The main elements characteristic of cultural mediators are communicative competence, empathy, active listening and good knowledge of both the hosting country and country of origin (culture, laws, traditions, etc.)
Como mediadora cultural mi objetivo es facilitar las relaciones entre los ciudadanos locales y extranjeros, norteamericanos y latinos, con el propósito de promover el conocimiento recíproco, y la comprensión. La meta es favorecer el desarrollo de relaciones positivas entre sujetos de diferentes trasfondos culturales. Las características de la mediación cultural son la competencia en las comunicaciones, la empatía, escuchar de forma pro-activa, y tener buen conocimiento tanto de la cultura anfitriona como de las extranjeras, incluyendo sus leyes, tradiciones, etc.
Latino Coalition of Tampa Bay, yearly meeting
I attended the yearly meeting of the Latino Coalition of Tampa Bay yesterday, where I had a chance to hear several very interesting presentations. Among them, the statistics about the rapidly increasing Latino population growth in Tampa stood out. And a list of challenges for the Latino provider pointed out some the following tips for those who serve the Latino community:
It is important to engage the Latino family on your first encounter. You only get one chance to create a great impression, and you need to. They will not come back if you don’t. Be personable, culturally sensitive, and caring, and show Respect. This is often easier for women, since they perceive the woman as someone they can talk to and trust.
Create a good network in the Latino community, build bridges; establish credibility. Offer several services, once they decide they like you, you will be like part of the family, and they will want and expect you to provide and assist with multiple problems.
They have come to expect that there will be a Spanish speaking person to help them wherever they go here in Florida, someone who will assist with translation to Spanish and be able to communicate with them. They will feel that a Spanish speaking person is better able to understand them even if they understand and speak English.
The Latino community is very attached to their Hispanic culture and proud of it. Over 73% of the families speak Spanish at home.
Most of the above reccommendations were included as part of a presentation made by puertorrican psychologist Lisa Costas, PHD who resides in Tampa and is a professor at Argosy University.
One out of 158 Florida homeowners in foreclosure
While Florida foreclosures fell 6 per cent between the second and third quarter, approximately 1 out of every 158 homeowners is currently in some stage of the foreclosure process.
…………………………..
Aunque las ejecuciones de hipoteca (foreclosures) han bajado un 6% en los últimos meses, aún se estima que uno de cada 158 hogares en Florida se encuentran bajo el proceso de ejecución de hipoteca al presente.
Florida justices consider mediation for foreclosures
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Mediation would be a good way to expedite a flood of mortgage foreclosures [in Tampa and the rest of Florida], members of a foreclosure task force said Wednesday, but some disagreed on the details in oral arguments before the state Supreme Court.
Florida’s courts are currently trying to cope with more than 290,000 foreclosure cases.
“What this court system has is virtually a tsunami of these filings,” said Justice Barbara Pariente.
A majority on the high court’s Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosures recommended trying mediation on owner-occupied homes before cases go to court, with lenders picking up the tab. Borrowers would be contacted by phone and mail and asked to participate. The high court did not immediately act on the proposal.
“The data that the banks have says the earlier in the process you get into mediation, the better and more likely you are to resolve the case,” task force chair Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey of Miami said in an interview. She argued for a statewide managed mediation system.
Minority members said mediation should be offered only if ordered by a judge, and the costs — an estimated $750 per case — should be split 50-50 between lenders and borrowers.
Chief Circuit Judge Lee Haworth of Sarasota said borrowers who have the means to pay should have “skin in the game.”
The Florida Bankers Association supports that option. Without making a financial commitment to the mediation process, borrowers may try to use it to delay foreclosure, association lawyer Virginia Townes said in an interview.
“If the borrower is mediating in bad faith or is really not available or able to engage in a meaningful mediation then we’ve wasted the court’s time,” Townes said.
Bailey said the value of getting the cases decided sooner will outweigh the lenders’ upfront costs. If loans can be restructured through mediation those costs would be included and ultimately paid by the borrowers.
Rebecca Storrow, alternative dispute resolution director for the 15th Circuit Court in Palm Beach County, argued for the traditional court-ordered mediation system. She said it is working well in her system and is cheaper than the task force’s proposal.
The justices also heard arguments on proposed emergency rule changes.
One would require lenders to verify they hold mortgages before going forward with cases. Many lenders initially say they have lost the note, which can result in wasted court time because the notes eventually are found in nearly every case, Bailey said.
She said the rule would tell lenders to double-check before filing. Townes argued it would be a costly and needless step.
The other contested rule would require lenders to cite a reason and get a court order to cancel a foreclosure sale. Now all they have to do is not show up at the sale.
Bailey said 65 percent of sales in Miami-Dade County are canceled that way every month, causing delays for all sales.
Marc Ben-Ezra, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer who represents lenders, opposed the rule. He said it would result in unintended sales if lenders settle with borrowers at the last minute or if delayed by a flat tire.
The sale delays can be costly for borrowers who often mistakenly think they must move out before their homes are sold, Bailey said.
“They’re still on the hook for these houses,” she said. “They’re on the hook for the taxes. They’re on the hook for any code violations.”
It’s also costly for condominium and homeowner associations because no one’s paying monthly fees on those properties, Bailey said.
By BILL KACZOR
Mediación de Padres-Adolescente
Con los hijos adolescentes la comunicación es un reto para ambos padres e hijos. Si cualquiera de los dos lados intenta imponer su voluntad los desacuerdos pueden salirse fuera de control y los resultados pueden explotar rápido.
A veces los padres de dan cuenta de que los hijos están incurriendo en un comportamiento de alto riesgo, o que su conducta está empeorando. Los hijos, por otro lado, pueden sentir que sus padres no los comprenden o que son demasiado dominantes. La mediación entre padres e hijos adolescentes facilita la comunicación y ayuda a remediar este tipo de situaciones.
Aún las familias más sólidas se encuentran a veces en situaciones volátiles con los hijos cuando llegan a la adolescencia. Cuando la comunicación se interrumpe y las discusiones se acaloran, emergen los comportamientos de alto riesgo, se rompen las reglas, el hijo puede terminar por cortar clases en la escuela, escaparse o usar drogas.
Cuando un adolescente está en problemas, casi siempre se trata de un síntoma, y no es la causa de la crisis familiar. Puede estar reflejando el comportamiento disfuncional y los patrones de comunicación que ve en el seno familiar.
Los problemas sistémicos como lo es una comunicación que se ha tornado crónicamente defectuosa pueden ser ignorados cuando se enfoca la atención en el adolescente solamente. En la mediación entre padres y adolescentes, se enfoca en ambos. Al minimizarse la culpa se alivia la presión y se puede lograr balancear el poder. Si los padres se enfocan solamente en el comportamiento del adolescente, pierden la oportunidad de reparar lo que puede ser un problema de comunicación o el verdadero comportamiento disfuncional.
Al simplemente cambiarse las perspectivas sobre las necesidades y preocupaciones de ambas partes con la ayuda de la mediadora las relaciones en la familia comienzan a evolucionar. Se empiezan a ver uno al otro de manera diferente y eso ayuda a prevenir que se perpetúen los patrones disfuncionales de comunicación y de conducta previos, y a relajar la tensión existente.
La mediación de padres-adolescentes puede cambiar las relaciones familiares, ser útil en ayudar a desarrollar cambios de comportamiento voluntariamente creados por la familia en vez de que tengan que ser ordenados por un juez.
La mediación ofrece un ambiente sano, seguro y estructurado para explorar las relaciones entre los padres y sus hijos adolescentes en el contexto familiar, o en sesiones separadas con la mediadora. Ambos aprenden nuevas estrategias de comunicación y de solución de problemas que pueden usar en el futuro cuando se enfrenten a nuevos dilemas.
Acuerdos financieros que perduren
En un acuerdo al que se llega por mediación, las dos partes tienen que ser transparentes porque el mediador así lo requiere. Un buen mediador debe requerir que las dos partes sean completamente transparentes cuando intentan llegar a un acuerdo sobre sus finanzas. Toda la información de los bienes comunales del matrimonio tiene que ser provista para que el mediador pueda trabajar con la pareja en la división de sus bienes y obligaciones. El mediador tiene que asegurarse de que antes de que la pareja se ponga de acuerdo en nada, los dos estén bien informados de cuáles son todas sus alternativas y de las consecuencias que cada una conlleva. Solo de esa manera se puede llegar a tomar decisiones sabias con todos los elementos de juicio a la mano.
Existen programas computadorizados que facilitan este proceso grandemente. En cuestión de segundos hacen todos los cálculos necesarios para presentar las mejores maneras alternativas de dividir los bienes matrimoniales incluyendo las ventajas contributivas. De esta manera, si una de las dos partes hace alguna concesión, lo hará conciente de por qué esa concesión fue necesaria y de lo que va a recibir a cambio de haberla hecho. Así uno por uno y con calma, el mediador va fortaleciendo a la pareja a medida que se van discutiendo los asuntos para que aprendan a hacer sus propias decisiones, a hacerlo de manera concienzuda, estando realmente de acuerdo en cómo van a estructurar la terminación de su matrimonio.
Se han hecho estudios que demuestran que la gente que acuerda los términos de su divorcio en un proceso de mediación tienen muchas más probabilidades de respetar los términos de los acuerdos a los que llegan, habiéndolos ideado ellos mismos, y por supuesto con la asistencia de un buen profesional.
