Limited English Proficiency (L.E.P.) Resources: Policy
"Utilization of Language Services for Clients/Prospective Clients with Limited English Proficiency"
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York- - 040032
Abstract Number: 040032
April 2004
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) implemented a comprehensive policy to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) clients can receive high quality legal services in their preferred language. The policy, entitled "Utilization of Language Services for Clients/Prospective Clients with Limited English Proficiency," provides LASNNY's staff with pragmatic guidance on serving LEP clients beginning with identifying a client's language needs upon initial contact with LASNNY to the case's closure when a supervisor will review each case to ensure the client's language needs, if any, were met. The policy includes sections on assessing client language needs, interpretation, translation, supervision and evaluation, training, and the periodic review of the policy. In addition, the policy also includes provisions for using qualified interpreters/translators and explicitly discourages the use of family and friends of the client for interpretation or translations services. To learn more, access the full policy below as a PDF document.
Contact Information:
Lillian Moy Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York 55 Colvin Avenue Albany, NY 12206 Phone: (518) 462-6765 Fax: (518) 427-8352 Email
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