Application Period & Deadline
The Educational Phase application process opens on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 8:00am CST. The deadline to submit an application is on November 28, 2022 at 5:00pm CST.
Selection & Notification Dates
Individuals selected for the program will be notified by email on December 7th, 2022. An announcement will be posted online on our homepage once all participants have been confirmed.
Schedule for Cohort #2
The Educational phase is from January 5th to May 1st, 2023. The Induction phase begins July 6th to September 3rd, 2023.
Program Details
What is Project Level Up?
CATIE Center’s Project Level Up: Advancing Healthcare Interpreter Competencies will increase interpreter’s knowledge, skills, and competencies; thereby, reducing the equity gaps in healthcare communication for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals in healthcare settings.
What is the commitment?
The program is free for 35 qualified applicants who are committed to completing the program in its entirety. The online educational phase starts January 5th, 2023 to May 1st, 2023. The Induction phase will begin July 6th to September 3rd, 2023 for as many participants as possible. See complete details below.
Who is Qualified?
All interpreters from diverse backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply: including hearing, Deaf, heritage signers, and individuals from underrepresented communities.
See the FAQ below for a complete list of qualifications.
St. Catherine University’s CATIE Center Project Level Up is funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Award #H160D210004.
The project contents; however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment?
There are two phases of the cohort program: 1) Educational Phase and 2) Induction Phase.
Educational Phase Duration for online learning: January 5th to May 1st, 2023
- The Educational Phase consists of a total of 96 hours. This includes 8 modules to be completed on Canvas, an online learning platform. Most of the activities in the learning modules occur asynchronously, however, there are times with quick project turnaround. You will receive personalized feedback from community members and certified interpreters.
- Participants who complete the Educational Phase will earn 9.6 CEU hours.
You must have successfully completed the Educational Phase in 2022 or be currently enrolled in the Educational Phase when applying for the Induction Phase.
Induction Phase Duration: July 6th to September 3rd, 2023
- Induction Phase happens in partnership with host sites throughout the United States. A total of 35 hours is required; 5 hours of observing a healthcare interpreter’s work, 20 hours of interpreting work in healthcare settings, and 10 hours of case consultation with a supervisor. Depending on the location of the participant, the Level Up Induction Phase hours can be completed via VRI or in-person.
- There are limited slots available for this phase. Therefore, the CATIE Center will provide this opportunity to as many participants as possible.
- All hours completed must be in healthcare settings (Note: observing or interpreting in mental health settings is not part of the Level Up project).
- Participants who complete the Induction Phase will receive 3.5 CEU hours.
Click to view a PDF with a schedule breakdown. Educational Phase Timeline|Induction Phase Timeline
What does the program cost?
The program is free for 35 qualified applicants. The program selection criteria is listed below.
Who can apply?
We welcome and encourage all interpreters from diverse backgrounds to apply including hearing, Deaf, heritage signers, and individuals from underrepresented communities.
What is the application criteria?
To qualify for the Level Up program an applicant must:
- Live in the U.S. or U.S. territories
- Possess 3+ years of interpreting experience
- Possess a B.A. Degree or Equivalent (see next question)
- Possess a background and interest in interpreting in Healthcare.
- Have access to appropriate technology for online learning and video conferencing capabilities, e.g., Zoom.
- Possess a willingness to work with consumers and colleagues from all backgrounds, including individuals from traditionally underrepresented and marginalized communities including Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), Heritage Language Signers, and interpreters from rural areas.
I do not have a Bachelor’s Degree or Certification. Can I still apply?
Yes, the equivalence criterion is as follows:
If no baccalaureate degree, on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with RSA, educational equivalence may be used in place of the baccalaureate degree. Educational equivalence includes RID or state certification (with medical interpreting endorsements if applicable).
OR
If no RID or state certification, on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with RSA, life experience may be used in place of the RID or state certification. Life experience may include interpreter training workshops or college courses. Applicants should be able to provide proof of successful completion of educational experiences.
Will program participants earn CEU’s?
Yes, if accepted into the program.
Participants who complete the Educational Phase will earn 9.6 CEU hours.
Participants who complete the Induction Phase will receive 3.5 CEU hours.
**No partial CEUs for either phase will be awarded under any circumstances.**
Is the cohort track the only option for participating in Level Up?
Nope! Project Level Up has two tracks: the cohort track and a self-directed track. We will be rolling out the self-directed track in January 2023.
Meet the Team
LaTanya E. Jones
MSM, NIC, Principal Investigator/Project Director
LaTanya is an interpreter with thirteen years of interpreting experience. She has worked in a plethora of professional and video relay settings but specializes in healthcare interpreting. LaTanya is also an adjunct professor at both the Community College of Philadelphia and the University of Southern Maine.
A staunch, lifelong advocate for education, LaTanya earned an Associate in Applied Science in American Sign Language/English interpreting from the Community College of Philadelphia, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Fox School of Business at Temple University; continued her studies in ASL linguistics at Gallaudet University, and earned a Master of Science in Management from Rosemont College. Currently, LaTanya is a graduate student at Widener University pursuing an MSW and an MEd in Human Sexuality in a dual degree program.
LaTanya enjoys giving back by volunteering her time and talents. LaTanya is an Ex-Officio for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), served as the Region I Representative for RID, and serves as the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Registry Interpreters for the Deaf.
LaTanya enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends in her free time.
Paula MacDonald
M.S, NIC, QMHI, Instructional Designer/Assistant Director
Paula MacDonald, M.S, NIC, QMHI is a reflective English/ASL Interpreter practitioner specializing in; Deaf Professional/Designating Interpreting, legislative, government, conference, mental health and DeafBlind (ProTactile, Tactile and Low Vision) settings since 2009. She holds a Certificate in Deaf Studies, an A.A.S. in English/ASL Interpreting and Transliteration, B.A. in Multicultural Interpreting and a M.S. in Interpreting Pedagogy-completing her teaching practicum at Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria. Since 2013, she has worked as an instructional designer and online educator using a variety of learning management systems. She intentionally applies evidence-based best practices to culturally relevant pedagogical, andragogical, and heutagogical curricula design for adult and non-traditional learners.
Taryn Philippi
MSW, LGSW, Program Specialist
Taryn works as a program specialist for the CATIE Center’s Project Level Up grant. She graduated from Gallaudet University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Taryn is a LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker) and she obtained her Master of Social Work degree at St. Catherine University in 2022. Taryn has 5+ years of experience working in the mental health field serving Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. She is happy to be a part of the CATIE Center team and its mission to diversify and increase the number of qualified healthcare interpreters.
Endings and Beginnings
Click on ‘Endings and Beginnings’ to read more about CATIE Center’s announcement on our two new grant projects; Project Level-Up and Dive-In
