Training Course “Breaking Barriers”

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Region 9, will be providing a one-day training session to assist non Spanish-speaking inspectors who interview non English-speaking fieldworkers and applicators. Past sessions of this training have been very well received and we are pleased to offer a session in Salinas this spring.

The training will be offered at the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s (CAC) office in Salinas:

Note: DPR anticipates offering a Southern California session later in fall 2020. If the session is scheduled, another ENF letter will be sent to the CACs with specific information.

There is no fee for this course. Check-in begins at 8:30 and the training session runs from 9:00 – 4:30.

Course topics will include:

• Introduction to Latino Culture
• Methods for Approaching & Interviewing Latino Fieldworkers/Handlers
• Working with an Interpreter
• Spanish Vocabulary and Phrases – Greetings, Pesticide Safety, and Basic Conversations
• Written Translation Tools – Flip Chart and Questionnaire

The course is for CAC inspectors whose responsibilities may include conducting fieldworker safety inspections and agricultural use monitoring inspections (such as pesticide use, field fumigation, and commodity fumigation). For inspector biologists who have taken this class it will be a good refresher with new content and activities.

The course includes a general session, as well as group sessions of six to eight inspectors interacting with a Spanish bilingual facilitator.

To ensure sufficient supplies, seating, and facilitators, please register via email by May 12, 2020 to Ms. Debra Kloss, Enforcement Branch, at debra.kloss@cdpr.ca.gov, or 916-284-6886. County Spanish bilingual volunteers are needed to help with the interactive group sessions and are encouraged to register as early as possible.

Sincerely,