Language Access

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Policy

The City of Winston-Salem is committed to improving the accessibility of services to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), or who do not speak English as a primary language and has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166 of 2000, as a federal funding recipient, the City of Winston-Salem has an LEP Policy. The City of Winston-Salem has delegated authority for LEP compliance to the Human Relations Department.

Documents

Limited English Proficiency Policy and Procedures (PDF)

Language Access Coordinators

The Human Relations/Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department has established a Language Access program that directly complements its Hispanic outreach and Building Integrated Communities (BIC) community programs. This program also further enhances the City’s Title VI Limited English Proficiency requirements, which mandate that recipients of federal funding make programs and services available in primary secondary languages. For our local community, that primary secondary language is Spanish.

The Language Access Program will be led by two Language Access Coordinators (LACs). These LACs will be responsible for focusing on both the Spanish-speaking and multilingual community.

Language Access Coordinator for the Hispanic Community

The Language Access Coordinator for the Hispanic community serves as a staff liaison with Spanish-speaking populations throughout the local community. A significant part of the outreach to the Hispanic community requires working with the Marketing and Communications Department to ensure critical emergent and non-emergent information is shared with grassroots and community Hispanic stakeholders, in Spanish, in an immediate and timely manner. This information will be conveyed, in both Spanish and English, online, at public meetings, on television, and on the radio. There will also be printed materials in Spanish. Interpretation services access will also be a component of the outreach.

Language Access Coordinator for the Multilingual Community

The Language Access Coordinator for the multilingual community serves as a staff liaison with populations that speak languages other than English and Spanish. A significant part of outreach will include serving as the staff liaison for the immigrant, refugee, and asylee communities, such as those served by the Building Integrated Communities (BIC) community stakeholders. Coordinate the Community Ambassador Program to facilitate engagement in the BIC Pipeline sessions. Outreach will also include working with IT partners to ensure there is digital equity and access for local international populations. This will also include printed information in various languages. Interpretation services access will also be a component of the outreach.

FAQs

What does LEP mean?

LEP means Limited English Proficiency. This is the terminology used by the federal government to describe individuals who do not speak English as a primary language and have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. Language assistance may be required with respect to a particular type of service, benefit, or encounter.

How does LEP apply to city departments?

LEP is imposed on federal agencies and recipients of federal financial assistance, which includes all of city government. Financial assistance includes, but is not limited to:

Any other federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which as one of its purposes the provision of assistance
The detail of federal personnel
Grants, loans, or donations of federal property
The sale, lease, or permission to use federal property at little or no cost

Federal laws, such as Title VI, Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166 of 2000, mandate that recipients of federal financial assistance comply.

What does the City’s LEP Policy cover?

The City's LEP Policy includes LEP procedures, implementation, and the grievance process for any complaints from residents regarding a lack of Limited English Proficiency access to city services and/or programs.

What city departments are affected by the LEP Policy?

All city departments are directly or indirectly affected by the LEP Policy; however, any department that receives federal funding must be in compliance.

What types of LEP efforts is city government already undertaking?

To date, City efforts, under the "reasonable steps" standard, have meant providing meaningful access to Spanish-speaking LEP individuals. Such efforts include:

Airing a Spanish city services-based television show
Having multi-lingual translations for the city's website
Hiring multi-lingual employees
Offering pay incentives to employees who learn and/or use fluent Spanish during the normal course of their work duties
Translating documents into Spanish

Other languages are also included under the LEP Policy if a resident is unable to reasonably access City services or benefits.

What else should I expect from city government?

Departments must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access for serving limited English individuals based on the frequency of contact, nature or importance of the program, activity or service provided, and resources available.

View All