Equity and Community outreach manager Deidra Houchin introduced Immigrant and Language Access Coordinator Gracia Hernandez who presented the above item.
Purpose and Authority
- Establish effective guidelines in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166
- Provide direction for Alachua County employees when interacting with individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP)
- Ensure meaningful access to all county services, programs, and activities
Immigrant Support and Staff Compliance
- Alachua County will offer free language assistance services to LEP individuals upon encounter or request.
- Departments can choose between using a certified professional vendor or an in-house interpreter
- Language needs will be determined based on primary languages spoken by students in Alachua County Public Schools, those
requested through our communications center, and from our partner organizations
Interpretation Services:
- Live, simultaneous over-the-phone interpreting.
- Designation of qualified interpreters
Translation of Vital and Necessary Documents:
- Prioritization of translation for vital documents based on importance and consequences to LEP individuals.
Emergency notices will be translated promptly into languages spoken by significant portions of our community to facilitate effective communication and ensure everyone's safety and well-being.
Recommendation to adopt the following Language Access Policy:
It is the policy of Alachua County to provide timely meaningful access for individuals who are of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in all Alachua County government services, programs, and activities. All language assistance services are free to all LEP individuals who request language assistant services in the provision of County programs, services, and provisions.
Commissioner Prizzia, and Gracia Hernandez presented comments.
Commissioner Prizzia moved to approve the Language Access Policy with the addition of the feedback process for updating the policies as needed.
2nd Commissioner Chestnut
Commissioner Wheeler, Garcia Hernandez, Commissioner Cornell, Chair Alford, County Attorney Torres, Commissioner Prizzia, County Manager Lieberman, and Chair Alford presented comments.
Public Comment
Ethan Dell coordinator for the Gainesville Immigrant Neighborhood Inclusion Initiative (citizen gave handout to commissioners), Robbin Luey, and Veronica Robleto presented comments.
Staff revised the recommended Language Access Policy to the Board as follows:
It is the policy of Alachua County to provide timely meaningful access for individuals who are of limited English proficiency (LEP) in all Alachua County BOCC government services, programs, and activities. All language assistance services are free to all LEP individuals who request language assistance services in the provision of county programs, services and provisions. Staff will regularly review and evaluate this policy with meaningful engagement on language services and procedures with relevant external and internal stakeholders.
Commissioner Cornell and Commissioner Wheeler presented comments.
Chair Alford exits meeting at 2:02pm
Chair Alford returns to meeting at 2:04pm
Commissioner Prizzia moved to amend her above motion to approve the new recommended Language Access Policy as follows:
It is the policy of Alachua County to provide timely meaningful access for individuals who are of limited English proficiency (LEP) in all Alachua County BOCC government services, programs, and activities. All language assistance services are free to all LEP individuals who request language assistance services in the provision of county programs, services and provisions. Staff will regularly review and evaluate this policy with meaningful engagement on language services and procedures with relevant external and internal stakeholders.
2nd Commissioner Chestnut
The motion carried 5-0.
Communications Director Mark Sexton presented comments.