Who is a LEP Person

1
Who is a LEP Person???

• LEP, or Limited English Proficiency, is defined
  as
• Persons born in other countries
• Children of immigrants born in the United States
  
• Other non-English or limited English proficient
  persons born in the United States, including
  Native Americans.

2
LEP Defined

• An individual who does not speak English as their
  primary language and have a limited ability to
  read, write, speak, or understand English.

3
LEP Definitions

• Language Services
• Translations, interpretations, bilingual staff or
  contractors
• Interpreter
• One who interprets ORALLY for parties conversing
  in different languages
• Translator
• One who translates WRITTEN messages from one
  language to another
• Program
• A residential/non-residential facility or
  activity operated by DJS or a private contractor
  that is directly involved in the care and
  treatment of youth under DJS jurisdiction, or a
  facility or activity licensed and/or certified by
  DJS.

4
Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964

• Prohibits recipients of federal financial
  assistance from discriminating against or
  otherwise excluding individuals on the basis of
  race, color, or national origin in any of their
  activities.

5
What are Vital DocumentsDefinition

• Vital documents are ALL documents essential to
  the provision of care and services to youth under
  DJS jurisdiction. These include such documents
  as
• Consent and complaint forms
• Key informational brochures.

6
Private Provider Obligations

• Private Providers are required to provide
  language services to DJS youth in their care and
  custody according to State and Federal law
• Private Providers are financially responsible for
  all services provided to youth in their care and
  custody
• Private Providers will have access to LEP data
  via the Internet, which will include other ways
  to provide language services to youth and/or
  their families.

7
Program Staff Responsibilities

• Inform LEP youths or parents of the language
  services available at NO COST
• Obtain language services for LEP youths and
  parents in a timely manner and
• Monitor the provision of services to LEP youths
  and/or parents.

8
Language Resources
The following information can be used as a
resource to procure services for youth who are
identified as Limited English Proficient. This
list is by no means exhaustive, but should be
explored, along with other alternatives, such as
hiring of bi-lingual staff, in order to provide
language services to LEP youth.

• LionBridge Global Solutions
• 1-800-423-6756
• On-site
• Telephonic
• Written

• CTS LanguageLink
• 1-877-963-7466
• On-site
• Telephonic
• Written

• Schreiber Translations, Inc.
• 301-424-7737
• Written translations

9
Additional Resources

• Cross Cultural Communications can assist in
  locating qualified interpreters, recruitment and
  training of bi-lingual staff, and additional
  language services. www.cultureandlanguage.net.
• The Migration Policy Institute, MPI, provides
  analysis, development, and evaluation of
  migration and refugee policies at the local,
  national, and international levels.
  http//www.migrationinformation.org/integration/la
  nguage_portal/corner.cfm
• Contact the Maryland Administrative Office of the
  Courts for a complete listing of court certified
  and eligible language interpreters.
  http//www.courts.state.md.us/interpreter or
  Linda.Etzold_at_courts.state.md.us.
• The Office of New Americans provides support and
  services to refugees to ease their transition
  into American society, and serves as a resource
  to the Governor and General Assembly on refugee
  and immigrant policy. http//www.dhr.state.md.us/m
  ona/index.htm.

10
Use of Adult Family Members or Other Adult
Volunteers

• The use of family members or other adult
  volunteers is acceptable only if
• LEP youth and parent are informed of right to
  receive NO COST language services
• The parent declines language services
• Program staff determines that the use of family
  members, community members, and/or volunteers
  does not create a conflict of interest or a
  breach of confidentiality.

11
Use of Adult Family Members or Other Adult
Volunteers, cont

• NEVER use children as an interpreter!
• Document use of a family member or declination of
  language services in writing and have all parties
  sign and date the documentation.

12
Documentation

• Program staff shall maintain file documentation
  and records of language services involving DJS
  youth and parents in a manner that provides
  confidentiality and security.

13
Confidentiality

• All interpreters and translators shall agree to
  keep all interactions with LEP youth and/or
  parents and guardians confidential.
• Interpreters and translators shall be required to
  sign a confidentiality agreement.
• Celest Womack, Director of Fair Practices
• Keneithia Taylor, EEO Officer