Limited English Proficiency (L.E.P.) Resources: Policy
LEP Plan and Planning Process
Legal Aid of Western Missouri - 050022
Abstract Number: 050022
January 2006
Legal Aid of Western Missouri (LAWMO) adopted and implemented a program to ensure that clients with limited English proficiency (LEP) receive high quality legal services in their own language. Prior to developing the policy, LAWMO formed an ad hoc LEP committee that included service providers with substantial LEP experience from a large public hospital, two refugee and migrant services organizations, and an English as a second language school. The LEP committee decided to form a pool of trained interpreters and translators that can be used by all not-for-profit organizations in the area.
As a result of this collaboration, LAWMO and many other service providers now have access to a much larger number of reliable interpreters. The partnership also developed uniform confidentiality statements and conflict disclosure forms for interpreters and translators.
The LEP committee identified the six most commonly spoken languages by low-income people in their service areas, thereby helping to determine both community and staffing needs. Proficiency in one or more of these languages is considered as a job qualification in hiring. All staff will receive cultural competency training within six months of beginning their employment with LAWMO. LAWMO will reassess the languages of the client communities every two years. Access the policy, the confidentiality agreement and other supporting documents as PDF files below.
Contact Information:
Gregg Lombardi Legal Aid of Western Missouri 1125 Grand Avenue, 19th Floor Kansas City, MO 64106 Phone: (816) 474-6750 Fax: (816) 474-1578 Email
LSC:
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