2005 NS HR&R - CHICLE Approval of Contract for Development of a Limited English Proficiency Assessment Tool

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Staff Response The Department of Human Rights and Relations, at the request of the Manager's Office, the Health Department and the Department of Social Services, began to address the issue of Title VI compliance efforts and improving access to LEP communities. Dr. Rosemary Summers, Orange County Health Director, Nancy Coston, Social Services Director, and the Immigrant Emergency Communications Subcommittee suggested that a tool be developed that would measure the linguistic ability of interpreters keeping in mind the value of bilingual and linguistically proficient staff. This tool could be used as part of any Department's voluntary compliance plan and would comply substantially with suggestions from the Department of Justice. After several meetings including Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager, Dr. Rosemary Summers, Nancy Coston, Kathleen Goodhand from the Personnel Department and Milan Pham, Director of Human Rights, staff solicited a proposal from CHICLE, Inc. CHICLE, Inc. was selected because it is a locally owned and respected firm, the County has an established relationship with it for purposes of training and translation, and its staff have the knowledge, experience, and credentials to create the necessary tool. CHICLE's proposal includes, among other things: • Designing instruments to measure Cultural Competency, Written Translation and .Oral Interpreting for Spanish speaking employees and volunteers • Training County staff to administer the instruments • Periodic follow up to ensure that County coordinating staff is kept abreast of LEP issues as they arise Concurrently, the Department of Human Rights submitted a Partnership Initiative Grant to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for grant money to further fair housing in Orange County. One component of the grant application included the development of an assessment tool in order to ensure Departmental compliance with Title VI as required by HUD. The Department was awarded the Partnership Initiative Grant and the complete cost of developing the LEP assessment tool is covered by federal funds. Benefits to Orange County An internal LEP assessment tool is an important part of Orange County's effort to comply with Title VI and to serve LEP persons. Once completed, Departments will be able to use it as part of their compliance efforts and will receive assistance from the LEP Coordinator. Some of the benefits include: • Uniform, improved ability to appropriately assess and utilize language skills of employees and volunteers • Improved access for LEP communities • Mechanism for updating our compliance plans and remaining aware of emerging LEP communities • Reduced risk of liability for failure to comply with confidentiality requirements • Reduced risk of liability for failure to comply with Title VI