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27 <br /> We must improve language and translation services. <br /> "1 seen it when a message comes out, their own language comes like two weeks later, a <br /> month later, when people who able to speak language already get all of the funding, all <br /> of the mutual assistance, they've been connected to resource already. And if you have <br /> these language barriers you three steps behind that going into like housing, like the EHA <br /> emergency housing." <br /> Recommended Actions.- <br /> County materials are often translated after being released, causing delays for <br /> those who do not speak English. All materials should be translated before being <br /> released so that refugee and immigrant community members are not put further <br /> behind. Language advocates and language services should be made available <br /> to increase communication outside of written language and provide additional <br /> context to understand complicated programs, resources, applications, and pro- <br /> cesses. <br /> We must streamline Federal Nutritional Services when possible and do a better <br /> job of providing information about these services especially when changes occur. <br /> "For me, language piece is a big thing... It doesn't matter how long to be in United States. <br /> When you don't have a chance to go to school, it's going to be everyday chaos to figure <br /> out how to use your SNAP, how to figure out your WIC. The age changes, like things <br /> [products] will start changing and you can only buy certain thing...it's like you buy, and <br /> then scan it, and you swipe and it's not what the WIC provided because you don't know <br /> what the [acceptable]brand is. Then family are using their own pocket money instead of <br /> WIC. It's like, who do they report to when they're going through that hardship?" <br /> Recommended Actions.- <br /> More direct and consistent support and/or communication should be available <br /> at a local level to help individuals navigate food programs and federal systems. <br /> Community Experts say programs like WIC (Women Infants and Children) and <br /> other FNS (Federal Nutrition Services like SNAP/EBT) programs are difficult to <br /> navigate and even more challenging if English is your second or third language. <br /> Changes occur in programs without effective communication to the participants. <br /> For example, WIC may choose to no longer cover an item or specific brand that <br /> a participant has purchased before, even something purchased recently using <br /> WIC funds, and suddenly they are checking out at the grocery store and are <br /> forced to pay out of pocket or remove the item. <br /> 12 <br />