Agenda - 11-02-2006-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

I~ Culture: It is important to know the culture or the cultural backgrounds of the LEP.. Lack of cultural awareness may not seem an important barrier. However, understanding a culture will cause us to understand why individuals act and react in certain way, why LEP populations do and do not interact with government. Example: Trust is imports nt in many Latino cultures and your word is considered your bond. Therefore, the signing of papers is not considered important nor is it considered important to get things in writing. When many Hispanics come to the Department of Human Rights,complaining ofdiscrimination they frequehtly have no paperwork to provide as evidence. Example:' In Latin American countries in legal documents the two full last names a re used, for example: Manuela Maria Perez Rodriguez. Manuela is the first name, Maria is the middle name, Perez Rodriguez are the last names. The primary last name is considered Perez. When names of Hispanic are entered in the records of department computer systems; individuals not understanding the culture may use the improper last name and identifythe wrong individual for services. This is particularly problematic in enforcement agencies like the police. The lack of precise, culturally correct information about the client can create confusion and frustration. Culture is one of the strongest challenges to serving LEP com munities in the County. Example: "They should have more bilingual personnel. I didn't know I owed them. They didn't explain to me if I could have access to question, I don't understand those taxes for ambulance service. In my country we don't paid for it. Is not only new for me, is also lack of information in my language."- A conversation between immigrant friends after one of them was taken to the emergency room by 911. Example: " In my country, it is a law that everyone write their full (both) last names on legal documents. We don't have social security numbers, nobody is born with a 17