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 two one-day training sessions in Central and Southern California to assist non-Spanish-speaking inspectors who interview non-English-speaking field workers and applicators. Past sessions of this training have been very well received and we are pleased to offer these sessions in Modesto and El Centro.

Training will be offered at the following County Agricultural Commissioner’s offices.

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

Course topics will include:

• Introduction to Hispanic Culture
• Methods for Approaching & Interviewing Hispanic Fieldworkers/Applicators
• Using an Interpreter
• Spanish – Basics for Inspectors
• Vocabulary for Agriculture, Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Written Translation Tools – Common Phrases (Flip Chart)

The course is targeted towards County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) inspectors whose responsibilities may include conducting fieldworker safety inspections and agricultural pesticide monitoring inspections (such as pesticide use, field fumigation, and commodity fumigation).

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

To ensure sufficient supplies, seating and facilitators, please register via email or fax by the deadlines indicated above to Ms. Debra Kloss, Enforcement Branch, at dkloss@cdpr.ca.gov, Fax: (916) 445-3907; Phone: (916) 445-3879. County Spanish bilingual volunteers are also needed to help with the interactive group sessions and are encouraged to register at this time.

Sincerely,