TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a status update on implementation of the Language Access Policy. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On August 13, 2013, City Council voted to approve and adopt a comprehensive Language Access Policy (LAP), Resolution No. RES-13-0071, as amended to include the following:
[1] Inclusion of the Tagalog language.
[2] Launch of a Language Line Pilot Program in a City department at the City Manager's discretion and with recommendations to fund the Pilot Program in the upcoming Fiscal Year 14 Budget.
[3] Creation of a reporting or accountability plan that provides for: oversight by the City Council; and quarterly or bi-annual compliance reports at a public hearing concerning plan compliance activities, the results of the Language Line Pilot Program and the translation of vital documents.
[4] City Manager to review and report on the adopted policy in a "to-from-for memo" with options on how to: [a] improve translation training; [b] address the concerns related to child interpreters; and [c] implement best practices on setting bilingual hiring goals in the future.
To date, a number of initiatives have occurred to further the implementation of the LAP. The City Council received a memorandum of these efforts dated November 21,2013 (Exhibit A). Since that time, there has been additional progress on these efforts.
At the direction of the City Council, the LAP has been updated to include the Tagalog language (Exhibit B). Staff has also developed a Language Line Pilot Program in the Department of Health and Human Services. The Pilot Program will last six months, and staff will document the utilization of Language Line for limited English Speaking persons, whose primary language is Spanish, Khmer, or Tagalog. In addition, Language Line utilization rates will be tracked and costs calculated to determine the beneficial interest in implementing this service to other departments. Bilingual staff will be utilized when available; otherwise Lan...
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