Call Us MN: 24/7 bilingual crisis line (651) 772-1611
Language access
Management tools
Building greater capacity to provide language access is an ongoing process. These tools can help you develop strategies to integrate language access into the daily operations of your program.
Points of contact worksheet
This Points of contact worksheet is available as a Microsoft Word 2007 document that you can utilize as a tool for both planning and implementation. It is designed to provide an easy way to capture your analysis of your program’s capacity to provide language access at various “entry points”. Begin by listing all services, activities, or areas where a survivor with LEP may first access your services or programming. Outline the expectations of staff (written policies, unwritten practices, etc.). Include tools and resources that are available for staff to use to provide language access. This exercise serves two purposes:
1) It can be easily incorporated into employee training materials or posted to help employees have easy access to the information for daily use.
2) It can be used to assess areas where language access should be enhanced.
| Point of contact | Expectations of staff | Tools and resources | Crisis Line | Identify language spoken. Connet with bilingual staff, interpreter, etc. | Language Line, Bilingual Advocates, etc. |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-one participant meetings (Intake, case planning, etc.) | Ensure that an interpreter is available. Follow best practices ensuring safety for participant by securing the name of the interpreter in advance, requiring an interpreter confidentialy agreement, etc. | In-person interpreting agency Interpreter Confidentiality Agreement |
| Ongoing shelter services | Notify participant of the available of language services on an ongoing basis, immediately provide access to the language line when requested. |
Language line Language-specific shelter tour video |
| Community- based services | Meet with them and provide information about LEP plan and resources so that they may have assist in informing LEP individuals of language assistance services available. | Flyers, I Speak cards, brochures |
The worksheet is also available as an PDF.