Agenda - 03-15-2005-5f - Laserfiche WebLink

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a~ H~7~ PebOa NeoOh ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Rosemary ~~ Summers, MPH, DrPH Health Director Richard E. Whiffed Human Services Center 300 West Ttyon Street Post Office Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-241Y Fax: (919) 644-3007 unvi v.m.onnne.nc. us/health Animal Control Services Central Administrative Services Dental Health Services Environmental Health Services Health Promotion and Education Services Personal Health Services 300 West Tryon Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 PH: (919) 295-2411 FAX: (919) 644-3007 March 9, 2005 Orange County Board of County Commissioners 200 S. Cameron St. PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 Dear Commissioners: The Department's of Health and Social Services are both currently subject to voluntary Title VI compliance plans, Under Title VI we are currently required to provide reasonable access to Spanish speaking limited English proficient (LEP) communities. In accordance with guidance from the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, we are using the following methods to do so in decreasing order of importance: 1 . Hiring staff who speak Spanish or other LEP languages proficiently 2. Using contract translators/interpreters or volunteers 3. Using other means (i.e. language lines) We have sought to increase hiring of staff members who speak Spanish through the County's bilingual hiring initiative as a primary method to address service needs to Spanish speaking LEP communities. Even so, the needs far outstrip the ability of our current staff to provide services. Therefore, both Departments use volunteers or contract interpreters when available and necessary. Staff members in the Departments who work with LEP communities have identified several issues and areas of concern about using contractors or volunteers that are required to be addressed in our voluntary compliance plans. Some of those concerns are the quality and accuracy of interpretation, the need for confidentiality and understanding of the ethics of translation, appropriate use of staff language skills. The development of an LEP Assessment tool will assist us in addressing concerns related to the accuracy and quality of service to LEP communities in addition to providing a means by which we can appropriately assess the skills of our staff and use those skills efficiently. The assessment tool will greatly aid our Title VI compliance efforts and ensure that we provide adequate services to our residents. S/n~incerely, L~~/~~~ /- ,~//// Rosemary Summers Nancy Cos n Health Director Social Services Director