Bilingual Services Research Articles

Guides for facilitating the implementation and evaluation of social prescribing: lessons from the "Access to Resources in the Community" model.

Social prescribing (SP) embodies a comprehensive approach to addressing the social determinants of health. Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) is an innovative SP program offering bilingual services that involves a single point of entry for health and social needs and introduces practice changes to assist primary care providers in engaging patients, along with a nonclinical lay navigator who supports patients in accessing relevant community resources. The ARC team has created a SP toolkit offering practical guidance for setting up, implementing, monitoring the progress of and evaluating SP programs. The four ARC guides can be easily customized for application in diverse practice and research settings.

Challenges Encountered by Latinx Bilingual Service Providers Working With Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges encountered by bilingual service providers working with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Latinx experience IPV at a high rate, and their ability to seek services is affected by multiple factors, including their immigration status, English language proficiency, and lack of familiarity with the U.S. healthcare system. Bilingual service providers working in shelters often treat Latinx in Spanish. While some research exists on the stressors associated with providing IPV services in shelters, nothing is known about how being bilingual affects service providers. This qualitative study was designed to fill this gap. The findings yielded two themes: difficult workload and service provider exhaustion. The disproportionate rate of IPV services requiring services in Spanish and the available staff equipped to serve them often results in high caseloads and additional responsibilities for bilingual service providers. The lack of training in both service provision in Spanish and serving monolingual Spanish-speaking IPV survivors increases the strain of providing quality client care. Emotional and mental exhaustion is a common experience when serving trauma clients; however, it can be compounded for bilingual service providers, who must also use a second language. Agencies must consider the work demands of bilingual service providers to ensure that the expectations are balanced and reasonable. More Spanish-speaking providers are needed to meet the need, and evidence-based training must be developed and widely disseminated.

Evaluating the network adequacy of vision care services for children in Arizona: A cross sectional study.

Vision challenges are among the most prevalent disabling conditions in childhood, affecting up to 28% of school-age children. These issues can impact the development, learning, and literacy skills of affected children. While vision problems are correctable with timely diagnosis and treatment, insufficient networks can impede children's access to comprehensive, and high-quality care. The study aims to determine where pediatric vision care network adequacy exists in the state of Arizona and where there are gaps in receiving vision care for children. This cross-sectional study assessed the adequacy of pediatric vision care networks in Arizona through a "secret shopper" phone survey. Calls were made to practices that accept Arizona's Medicaid program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and/or commercial insurance. Providers were contacted following a standardized script to schedule routine appointments on behalf of 10 and 3-year-old patients enrolled in either Medicaid or commercial health insurance plans. The study examined various components of children's access to vision care services, including the reliability of provider directory information, time until the next available appointment, bilingual service offerings, ages served, region of practice and types of care available. A total of 556 practices in Arizona were evaluated through simulations as patients on AHCCCS, and 510 practices were assessed through simulations as patients with commercial health insurance plans. The average wait time for the next available appointment was 13 days for both insurance types. Alarmingly, up to 74% of vision care practices in Arizona do not serve children covered by AHCCCS. Furthermore, only 41% provide services to children 5 years and younger. Our findings underscore the need to improve access to vision care services for children in Arizona, especially racial/ethnic minorities, low-income groups, and rural residents.

Prevention, testing, and treatment interventions for hepatitis B and C in refugee populations: results of a scoping review

Background and aimsRefugees are at higher risk for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), but often face unique healthcare barriers to vaccination, testing, and treatment. This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize HBV and HCV prevention and care services serving refugee populations globally.MethodsA literature search was conducted on Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Research studies published in English between January 2010 to July 2022 describing an HBV or HCV prevention, testing, or treatment intervention for refugees were included.ResultsThere were a total of 69 articles reporting viral hepatitis prevalence, implementation of services, or economic modelling. Of the 38 implementation studies, 14 were stand-alone HBV and/or HCV interventions, while 24 studies included HBV and/or HCV in an intervention targeting multiple infectious diseases and/or parasitic infections. Interventions commonly included a testing (n = 30) or referral (n = 24) component. Frequently reported features to promote program accessibility included bilingual services (n = 25), community partnerships (n = 21), and multidisciplinary staff members (n = 18), such as cultural and/or linguistic mediators, community health workers, community health leaders, lay health workers, local health staff, members of the refugee community, and social workers. The most commonly reported challenge was the transience of refugees (n = 5). Twenty studies noted funding sources, of which twelve reported governmental funding (not including national health insurance) and eight reported that refugees received national health insurance.ConclusionsThis is the first scoping review to characterize the types of hepatitis prevention, screening, and treatment interventions serving refugee populations globally. Published experiences of HBV and HCV services for refugee populations remain limited. Additional efforts are needed to disseminate models of hepatitis interventions for refugees to ensure access to care for this key population. To achieve hepatitis elimination globally, best practices must be identified and shared to expand access to hepatitis services for refugee populations.

Speech-language pathologists’ perspectives on bilingual service delivery in India: a preliminary survey

ABSTRACT With the rapid rise in the cultural and linguistic landscape of India, it is essential to evaluate the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on bilingual service delivery, as they are the primary service providers for individuals with communication disorders. The current study aimed to describe the perspectives and practices of SLPs on bilingual service delivery in India. A survey questionnaire was developed and disseminated online to speech-language pathologists practicing in India. A questionnaire was framed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, linguistic background, and practice of bilingual service delivery and the challenges faced. The demographic data, linguistic background data, and responses to different aspects of bilingual service delivery were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Seventy-five speech-language pathologists responded to the survey and their perspectives on different aspects of bilingual service delivery were variable. Most of the respondents had a positive outlook and reported having good competency concerning bilingual service delivery. The survey further revealed barriers to bilingual service delivery that need to be addressed and future implications for stakeholders are discussed.

A Critical Analysis of State-Level Policies Impacting Racialized Emergent Bilinguals Suspected or Labeled as Dis/abled.

The purpose of this review article is to conduct a critical analysis of state-level policies focusing on the provision of speech-language therapy and special education to children and youth who are racialized emergent bilinguals (REBs) suspected or labeled as dis/abled. We analyzed the state-level policies focusing on speech-language therapy and/or special education of California, Kansas, Florida, and New York. We coded content in terms of labels used to describe REBs; the focus of states' policies, whether the policy mentioned the provision of bilingual services, and the orientation toward bilingualism. Thematic analyses and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the policies, and interrater reliability was calculated. The results of this review revealed that most state-level policies contain English-centric, deficit-based labels to describe REBs and that most focus primarily on the classification and eligibility for dis/ability. Only one state addresses the provision of bilingual education for REBs labeled as dis/abled. The bulk of policies are underpinned by an ideology of "bilingualism as a difference," meaning that the main idea of the policies is that emerging English skills does not result in a dis/ability. Policies do not exist in a vacuum and are influenced by sociopolitical ideologies. The findings of this review highlight the urgency of applying an intersectional, justice-focused approach to the policies and practices impacting REBs suspected and/or labeled as disabled in the fields of speech-language therapy and special education.

A new look at language choice and accommodation in U.S. Spanish-English bilingual service encounters

Abstract The study of service encounters in bilingual communities offers opportunities to gain insight into the factors that influence language choice and accommodation in these interactions and the ways that language may be used to build community. Previous work on bilingual service encounters has found that age, gender, speech turn, and customer ethnicity may all contribute to service providers’ choice of one language over another. This study reexamines language choice and accommodation in Spanish-English service encounters by observing the language use of 96 service providers in 35 Latino-owned restaurants of the Washington metropolitan area. Using data from service encounters between bilingual service providers and Latino and white customers, we explore the extent to which the factors identified in previous studies are relevant in this region. Additionally, we explore whether the increasingly polarized political climate in the United States has impacted language use. We argue that while customer ethnicity is the main deciding factor to start an interaction, service providers always accommodate to customer language subsequently. This demonstrates the importance of both language as a community builder – even in the face of social pressures that sanction the use of Spanish in public spaces – and the power differential that exists between workers and customers in determining language use.

Professional Perspectives on Bilingualism in Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The present study examined the perspectives of professionals regarding bilingualism and ASD. Methods: A total of 27 professionals participated in this study. Data was collected via an online survey. The survey was designed based on a literature review and consultation with a team of experts in the field of ASD. Information relating to demographic information, professional practice information, and perspectives of bilingualism and ASD was collected. Results: Professionals participating in the present study were most likely to agree with the statement, “A child with ASD from a bilingual household is able to understand both languages” and least likely to agree with the statement, “There are enough bilingual service providers and resources.” Responses to 5 of the 8 statements related to professional perspectives on bilingualism in children with ASD were near the scale midpoint indicating the participants did not strongly agree nor disagree with the perceptions. When asked what language parents should speak to their children with ASD from a bilingual household, 44% of participants recommended a bilingual approach, and 30% indicated a monolingual approach. Participants reported professional experience and the ability to communicate with caregivers/others in the environment/parent language use as influences for these recommendations. Furthermore, sex, level of education, and bilingual caseload were found to be significantly related to perspectives on bilingualism and ASD. Conclusion: The results of this study support previous literature which has identified a disconnect between research and clinical practice regarding bilingualism and ASD. Furthermore, the relationship between specific demographic and professional variables found in this study can now be used by future research studies and programs targeting bilingualism and ASD. These findings are of particular importance when considering that research has supported bilingualism in children with ASD, yet many professionals continue to implement a monolingual approach. A better understanding of professional perspectives of bilingualism in ASD provides insight into the discrepancy between research and clinical practice and paves the way for future studies and programs targeting improved services for bilingual children with ASD.

Research on Bilingual Service and External Communication of Red Culture Scenic Spots in Shandong Province

China has a rich and colorful culture, and the cultural appreciation value and research value are very high. It should be our important responsibility and obligation to help and guide more tourists to learn, understand, appreciate and appreciate China’s profound cultural accumulation. At present, the rapid development of “Internet” information technology and the gradual popularization of intelligent terminals have provided important opportunities and built an effective platform for the external dissemination of cultural tourist attractions and culture, as well as the development of foreign language identification, interpretation and other services. Shandong is not only our country economic province, and the red tourist attractions, red sites, red resources is very rich, Shandong cultural tourism got rapid development in recent years, under the new situation, how to strengthen the red culture in Shandong province give full play to the advantage, strengthen the effective implementation of cultural drive strategy should be an important research topic. 1This study in the Shandong red culture foreign communication significance and value, on the basis of the red culture resources in Shandong province, analyzes the current Shandong red culture tourism attractions bilingual service present situation and the existing problems, provide improvement and optimization of countermeasures and path, to strengthen the development of Shandong red culture, red culture and promote the direction towards the cultural industry resources and development, really make the red culture effectively into real productivity, into economic benefits, better boost the high quality of economic and social development in Shandong province.

Abstract B025: The Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Program: Serving cancer patients in culturally and language specific ways

Abstract Background: Twenty three percent of adults in Los Angeles County report difficulty in accessing medical care. This is particularly troubling when faced with cancer. Approximately 1 in 3 Latinos will face cancer in their lifetime. Yet they have the highest number of uninsured of any group. There is a lack of culturally and linguistically sensitive support for these patients confronted with a cancer diagnosis. This contributes to increasing health disparities because of lack of compliance with treatment, failure to follow up with care, lack of transportation which contribute to cancer disparity. The Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation program at USC provides linguistic and culturally sensitive public health education and cancer information and customized evidence-based research and resources to cancer patients and caregivers living in Los Angeles County. Methods: During 2019-2021 we provided health education, cancer information and resources, patient navigation and liaison services to cancer patients in Los Angeles County. Services included explaining medical lingo using easy to understand terminology in Spanish and English. We connected patients to support groups, mental health services, nutrition, and physical activity programs and provided health and wellness related information. Also resources for wigs, housing, and welfare assistance. We helped to answer frequently asked questions about cancer treatment and accompanied patients to major medical appointments in person or remotely during the pandemic. We reminded patients of their appointments and next steps. The program provided Spanish/English bilingual services and identified resources in Korean, Mandarin and Tagalog, to meet patient needs. Results: We provided services to 383 individuals between 2019-2021. Of these, the majority were females, with most ranging between 40-64 years of age. Although the majority where of Hispanic/Latino descent, we also serviced African Americans and Asian populations. Individuals served were categorized in four groups for services: previvors (individual at risk for cancer who have genetic predispositions and are taking prophylactic actions to reduce their risk or are undergoing cancer screening tests) and survivors, in active treatment at all stages, and survivors no longer in treatment. Those in end of life or hospice care were the fourth group. Cancer types varied from lung, breast, prostate, brain, cervical, liver, uterine, testicular, and colorectal among other. Patients mostly spoke Spanish and had language challenges. Patient navigators helped patients understand treatment instructions, provided health information to support health and mental health wellness. Conclusion: The program proved to be very effective at serving patients. However, more support is needed in Mandarin for Chinese community. Marketing and outreach strategies need focus on males, Asians and African Americans to increase participation. Printed educational materials and online resources are needed in Mandarin and Korean. We provide recommendations and lessons learned. Citation Format: Ghecemy Lopez, Elena Nieves, Rosa Barahona, Lourdes A. Baezconde-Garbanati. The Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Program: Serving cancer patients in culturally and language specific ways [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B025.

Digitalization of railway service with the use of post-covid-19 events

Every year there is a digitalization of transport systems where it is discussed how stations will play an important role in the digital railway revolution and highlights a project that aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies. The world of transport is undergoing a digital revolution and railway stations may be a key platform for the implementation of new innovations. A project undertaken by the transport is seeking to accelerate the adoption of new technologies in this space. New technologies, an increased focus on integrated travel solutions and the need to maximise capacity across the rail network to cope with demand, is placing a new emphasis on innovation in railway stations. Every year, billions of people travel by rail around the world. But as passenger numbers continue to grow, and the expectations of passengers continue to be more demanding, the pressure on rail organisations to deliver high-quality passenger journeys increases. Transport for Wales (TfW) has today launched its new smartphone app, providing enhanced features and, for the first time, a bilingual service. Passenger rail has been one of the most impacted sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, suffering a catastophic decrease in passenger numbers since March 2020

Second Language Training Transfer for Providing Bilingual Service by the Public Officials in Sri Lanka

Second Language Training Transfer for Providing Bilingual Service by the Public Officials in Sri Lanka

Community-engaged asset mapping with Latinx immigrant families of youth with disabilities.

Asset mapping is a participatory methodology that engages community members in identifying services and settings that promote health and well-being. This study aimed to identify community assets from the perspective of Latinx immigrant families with youth with disabilities. Latinx immigrant families (n = 21) participated in the mapping, followed by a reflection session and an open forum (n = 30). The findings revealed that families identified faith-based organizations and social service agencies as some of the main assets in their communities, while they identified mental health services as the most needed. The results also showed that participants preferred to utilize services and resources that are within walking distance of their homes, provide safe spaces, treat them well, offer bilingual services, do not require documentation, and are affordable. This study has important implications for community scholars and practitioners interested in implementing asset-based methodologies that focus on participants as experts of their own realities and agents of change and that promote advocacy and empowerment actions.

A novel approach to assessing language proficiency in adults: A pre-pilot classification accuracy study

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: Speech–language pathologists who speak more than one language and who are members of the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association self-identify in one yes/no question whether they have the proficiency level to be bilingual service providers. This research note describes a preliminary attempt to address the very practical issue of whether and in what circumstances Spanish–English bilinguals can accurately judge their proficiency levels in both languages. The research question is: Will bilingual adults accurately identify their first language and second language proficiency levels using a self-assessment when compared to a commonly used standardized norm-referenced test (SNRT) in both formal and informal contexts across the following outcome measures: (a) overall proficiency; (b) listening; (c) speaking; (d) reading; and (e) writing? Design/methodology/approach: Classification accuracy studies require at least 34 participants. Thirty-nine participants completed the commonly used Language Use Questionnaire (LUQ) self-assessment and the commonly used Woodcock–Muñoz Language Survey SNRT (WMLS-III). For this pre-pilot study, participants were Spanish–English bilingual university students. Data and analysis: Forty likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated. Benchmarks for interpreting LRs for classification accuracy studies were applied to identify the likelihood of an individual being proficient or non-proficient in two languages. Findings/conclusions: For the overall proficiency and formal speaking proficiency outcomes in Spanish, positive LRs met the benchmark for strong agreement. Originality: The current study is the first to show that Spanish–English bilingual adults can accurately judge their Spanish proficiency levels for two specific outcome measures. Significance/implications: These results are important for two reasons. First, they suggest that Spanish–English bilingual adults can accurately judge their overall proficiency levels in Spanish. Second, they identify which outcome measures from the LUQ and WMLS-III should be considered in a future classification accuracy study.

Social Workers’ Management of Child Interpreting: A Qualitative Study

AbstractSpoken language interpreters are commonly used to facilitate communication for emergent bilingual service users in social work. Children often have greater English language proficiency than their parents and may interpret for family members in a variety of contexts, including social work. This article approaches the topic of child interpreting from social workers’ perspectives and presents findings from in-depth interviews about child interpreting. Social constructionist theories are used to examine the way social workers manage child interpreting. The findings indicate that social workers manage child interpreting by monitoring, scaffolding or stopping encounters. Through talking about child interpreting, the social workers conceptualise children as passive, vulnerable or untrustworthy. Social workers recognised the potential contributions that child interpreters offered but remained concerned about their ability to translate technical and emotionally laden messages. Given that child interpreting was found to be unavoidable in social work, there is scope to develop a framework for safe and effective child-interpreting practice. Future research directions include an exploration of children’s perceptions about interpreting in social work contexts.

Effect of linguistic acculturation on self-efficacy and anxiety in caregivers of Latina breast cancer survivors.

12121 Background: Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers face unique challenges. Acculturation is the acquisition of the cultural elements of a dominant society. Higher acculturation in Latino survivors is positively correlated with self-efficacy in patient-provider communication and improved patient-reported outcomes. There is a paucity of research on how language acculturation affects caregiver and patient outcomes. We examined associations over time between linguistic acculturation among caregivers of Latina survivors and outcomes of caregiver self-efficacy and anxiety. Methods: We partnered with four community-based organizations that serve Latino families facing cancer. We enrolled 136 Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers for a randomized trial comparing a dyadic coping intervention to usual care (e.g., support groups). Participants completed surveys including demographic and clinical information, the short acculturation scale for Hispanics, caregiver inventory to assess self-efficacy and PROMIS domains of anxiety at baseline and 6-months after the intervention. Results: In multivariate linear regressions models, we examined the effect of acculturation on caregiver self-efficacy and anxiety, controlling for demographics (patient and caregiver age, caregiver education, employment), patient treatment history (chemotherapy and surgery) patient and caregiver language preference (Spanish or English) and intervention arm (intervention vs. usual care). Greater caregiver self-efficacy at 6-months was associated with younger patient age (t=-2.93, p=.004), older caregiver age (t=2.63, p = .01), female caregiver gender (t=2.79, p = .006) and higher acculturation (t=2.01, p=.04), controlling for baseline self-efficacy, patient language and randomization group. Caregiver anxiety was not related to caregiver acculturation or patient language preferences. Conclusions: Caregivers’ language acculturation was significantly associated with their self-efficacy over time, suggesting that caregivers with lower acculturation experience lower confidence in their provision of care for Latina survivors. These findings are particularly salient because participants for this study were enrolled from organizations with bilingual services. Caregivers of Latina survivors without access to these community resources may face even more striking challenges. Future work can explore how caregivers’ confidence relates to survivors’ adherence to care and patient outcomes over time.

Applying Critical Race Theory as a Tool for Examining the Literacies of Black Immigrant Youth

Background/Context There is a growing body of literature about the educational experiences of students who are African immigrants in U.S. schools. This study looks closely at a Ugandan immigrant's educational experiences in the U.S. as well as the laws and policies that preempted her education. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study The purpose of this study is to examine the disconnect between the rhetoric and practice of second language/bilingual laws in one school district in a Midwestern state, with regard to the experiences of an African immigrant whose has a diverse linguistic background. Research Design This study is crafted through a critical race theory lens and applies critical policy analysis to understand current practices. Using autoethnography, we provide a first-person reflection on the lived experiences of a young African immigrant student and her family. Then, drawing on critical race theory in concert with critical policy analysis, we examine the implementation and practice of second language/bilingual laws and policies in the state of Illinois. Findings/Results We find that the discourse and rhetoric surrounding second language/ bilingual laws and policies on federal, state, and local levels do not align with actual practices in school districts and classrooms. We describe how the lack of coherence between discourse and practice has contributed to delimiting an African immigrant student's access to mainstream language and linguistic education and other academic opportunities. Conclusions/Recommendations We conclude with recommendations to improve bilingual services to speakers of African languages: acknowledge that some African immigrant students possess a diverse linguistic background; address and challenge the dominant attitudes that deprive African immigrant students of a quality educational experience. We call upon administrators and policymakers to evaluate and correct the disconnect between second language/bilingual laws and policies. We recommend that cultural competence be central to second language/bilingual laws and policies throughout the planning and implementation processes.

MOBILE APP INTERVENTION TO PROMOTE BREAST CANCER SCREENING IN OLDER KOREAN AMERICAN WOMEN

To promote breast cancer screening behavior in older Korean American women, a mobile phone multimedia messaging intervention (mMammogram) was developed. The current study explored how the mMammogram intervention can be applied and improved for wide dissemination and implementation in other older racial/ethnic immigrant populations. Three focus groups were conducted with 14 older Korean American women who completed the mMammogram. Three themes emerged: (1) emphasis on knowledge improvement (understanding of breast cancer screening); (2) assistance of bilingual health navigators to promote mammography (e.g., setting up appointment and transportation); and (3) consideration of technology literacy (e.g., training for use of smartphone and connectivity issues). Mobile app intervention combined with bilingual health navigation services can be an acceptable and effective intervention medium to promote mammogram, which will bring about a positive change in women’s health screening behavior, especially for newly arrived immigrant populations.

PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: HARNESSING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO OPTIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTS FOR DIVERSE AGING EXPERIENCES

Social networks provide opportunities for engagement with others and structure the receipt and provision of emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal support. Indeed scholars in this field have documented the importance of having strong social networks in influencing older adults’ well-being and quality of life. The three papers in this symposium draw on the convoy model of social relations and ecological model to examine and better understand the micro, mezzo, macro contexts that shape and influence how older people engage with and benefit from their networks in three areas: low-income senior housing communities, urban areas specifically targeting older Latinos with dementia, and disaster preparedness in micropolitan counties in eastern Iowa. The first paper, a cross-sectional study focusing on social connections in senior housing communities, examines levels of social networks, engagement, support and loneliness and their relationship with well-being outcomes. The second paper, a community-based participatory research project, reports an intervention that seeks to train natural helpers in a predominantly Latino urban neighborhood to identify and refer older Latinos with dementia to bilingual assessment services. The third paper, synthesizing findings from interventions targeting network building at the individual and state levels as well as a community-based network analysis, presents ways to strengthen networks at the mezzo and macro levels as well as environmental contexts that enable better disaster preparedness for community-based older adults. These papers will consider practice, policy and research implications in strengthening social networks and engagement to optimize older adults’ well-being in various settings.

Linguistic Support Services for Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims

Intimate partner violence is increasing among immigrant women in the U.S., but because of language barriers, abused immigrant women may be unable to access formal services. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of geographical location (urban/rural) and percentage of non-native English speakers on the availability of linguistic support services in one highly diverse state-Florida. Using a sample of 258 service providers for domestic violence victims, the results show significant differences between rural and urban providers’ perceptions of the need for linguistic support services in law enforcement, legal, and mental health needs. Urban service providers perceived a greater need for these services than rural service providers. The study found that a higher percentage of non-native English speakers predicted greater bilingual linguistic service availability. Lastly, the study found the more frequently providers perceived a victim’s basic needs to be met, the more likely that providers indicated linguistic support services were frequently met in their service area. Findings indicate that immigrants experiencing abuse who reside in rural areas might endure added difficulties in accessing assistance. While it may not be cost-efficient for rural service providers to hire translators or multilingual staff, such services may be cost-shared with other agencies.