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County of Hawaii Department of Human Resources Language Access Plan 2020 Background The County of Hawai'i (the "County") is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. The County adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws concerning non-discrimination in employment and in delivery of programs and services to the public. In addition to every other class protected by federal and state civil rights laws, the County does not discriminate on the basis of national origin. To ensure compliance with Executive Order 13166, the County takes reasonable and meaningful action for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have access to activities, programs, and services. The goal of Executive Order 13166 states, "The Federal Government provides and funds an array of services that can be made accessible to otherwise eligible persons who are not proficient in the English language. The Federal Government is committed to improving the accessibility of these services to eligible LEP persons, a goal that reinforces its equally important commitment to promoting programs and activities designed to help individuals learn English. To this end, each Federal agency shall examine the services it provides and develop and implement a system by which LEP persons can meaningfully access those services consistent with, and without unduly burdening, the fundamental mission of the agency." The Department of Human Resources (DHR) acknowledges the purpose of Act 290, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, Chapter 371 - Part III, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, "Relating to Language Access," to affirmatively address, on account of national origin, the language access needs of LEP persons. The purpose of our Language Access Plan (the Plan) is to comply with Executive Order 13166 and to ensure that persons who are LEP will have meaningful access to the services and programs we offer to address those needs by providing oral language services; and written language services as needed. LEP persons are those individuals who have limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English and may require language assistance such as an interpreter to communicate with respect to services, activities and programs offered by the County. Oral language may come in the form a qualified bilingual staff member communicating directly in an LEP individual's primary language and interpreters' services. The County does engage in efforts to assure that staff and the public are aware of the language access service available to them such as the Language Line for oral translation. The County has a contract with the Language Line to provide telephone interpreting services. Since the frequency with which LEP individuals have contact with DHR employees is negligible, the estimated cost of providing interpreting or translation services when needed will not be prohibitive.