Hi Maria,
I work in a public health department where we have a very high proportion
of non-English speaking clients, and we have a lot of Arabic, Persian,
etc.  We have a few different options for translating.  We have a language
translation line that can be used for any language, and that can be used to
call the client, or used on a home visit with a cell phone on speaker
(admittedly not the best option but when there is no other choice it is the
best we can do).  We have a few people who work in our health department
who can translate if they are available in clinic.  If I need to schedule a
home visit and want an in-person translator, there is also a service that
we can use that provides an in-person translator, but it usually has to be
scheduled in advance.  You might try calling the local hospital and see if
they know about any services in your area like that.  Or you could call
social services, WIC, or the Community Services Board, as they probably
have to use services like that.  I am sure they could put you in touch with
some kind of language service available in your area.  I hope you can find
something.  Good luck!

Sonya Shaver, BS, CHES, IBCLC


On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 10:12 AM, Maria Parlapiano RN, IBCLC <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Permission to post:
> I received a call from a woman who is hosting a family from Darfur - they
> have been with her for 1 week.   Husband, wife and 2 children. She was
> concerned that the mom's milk supply is "drying up"( baby is 2 mo old)  She
> is assuming this based on the fact that the women's breasts appear soft -
> according to her the baby's wgt, output and temperament are fine.   She
> (the host mom) even attempted to give the baby a bottle - but baby refused.
> (yeah!)  I reassured the host mom and offered my help but I need someone
> who can speak to the mom from Darfur  (Arabic)  I would like to think her
> milk supply is fine but I can't even imagine how stressed, exhausted and
> scared she must be.
>
> If you can help-contact me off list:  [log in to unmask]
>
> Maria Parlapiano RN IBCLC
> Chatham, NJ
>
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