Colorado WIC Program Policies and Procedures Section 11: Civil Rights Revised: 01/01/2020

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Limited English Proficiency

Policy: Local agencies must ensure that interpretative services are available for participants with limited English proficiency.

Regulations: 7 CFR 246.7, FNS Instruction 113-1

Procedure/Additional Guidance:  Local agencies must have a plan in place to communicate and provide services in the languages spoken in the service area. This plan should include items such as:  Use of bilingual staff.  Contracting with interpreting services, including in-person or telephone interpretative services. o Local agencies cannot require applicants or participants to provide their own interpreters. o If a client choose to bring a family member or friend to interpret, this may be allowed as long as it is a responsible individual. o A child should not be used as an interpreter.  Translated documents and forms. o All outreach and screening materials and most nutrition education materials generated through the State WIC Office are available in both English and Spanish. The Rights and Responsibilities and Colorado WIC Food List and Shopping Guide are also available in Arabic, Burmese, Nepali and Somali. o For materials and resources needed to serve other non-English speaking populations, contact the agency’s assigned State Office Nutrition Consultant.  Use of technology and internet based tools.  Training of staff in the use of resources available to serve LEP individuals.

 Local agencies must record the client’s preferred spoken language in Compass in the “Family/Intake” screen in the “family” section.  All commonly spoken languages in Colorado are listed on the drop down menu. Contact the state office if additional language options are needed.  Unless the client is proficient in English, staff should select the native or preferred language of the client to help with statistical reporting of languages spoken in the service area.  Indication can also be made on this screen if an interpreter is needed for the appointment by checking the check box. This code helps to alert the appointment scheduler of any special needs that must be considered for this family, which might include an interpreter, whether in person or via telephone.  Set the printout language to English or Spanish to ensure the correct language for printed notices and appointment reminder texts.