Agenda - 10-03-2006-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 3, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. J ~- g_ SUBJECT: Report on the County's Efforts and Ability to Serve Limited English Proficient (LEP) Populations DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT: LEP Assessment Report INFORMATION CONTACT: Milan T. Pham, 960-3877 PURPOSE: To receive a status report regarding LEP populations in Orange County, the County's efforts to serve LEP populations to date, and recommendations to improve service to LEP populations. BACKGROUND: History In 2002, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a goal to improve Hispanic/Latino Relations. After receiving direction from the Commissioners, County staff determined that Hispanic Latino relations could be enhanced by improving employment diversity to better serve Latino communities and improving assessment, resource coordination and resource development. Improving Employment Diversity Towards the end of improving employment diversity, the County Commissioners adopted a multi-lingual hiring policy; staff initiated employment advertisements in Hispanic/Latino media markets; and staff instituted a cultural diversity training initiative and made provisions for existing staff to receive Spanish language training. Since 2000, approximately 1,400 employees have participated in the diversity training initiative which includes Latino 101. Additionally, since 2000, almost 400 employees have received Spanish Language training with CHICLE. Expanded external recruitment efforts included releasing new job opportunities to agencies and organizations serving the Hispanic/Latino community. Among these are N.C. Governor's Office of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, N.C. Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, EI Pueblo, Inc, EI Centro Latino, La Conexion, Saludos Hispanos and Job Finder (La Version de Espanol) as well as Spanish language advertising.