Local Law 30 of 2017 strengthens language access services for people with limited English skills and expands the list of designated citywide languages to 10. It requires City agencies that provide direct services to the public to translate their most commonly distributed documents into the top 10 citywide languages. It also requires agencies to provide telephonic interpretation in at least 100 languages and to develop a language access implementation plan to be posted on an agency's website.
The following document outlines SAFCO’s Language Access Plan.
I. Mission and background
SAFCO’s mission is to provide the highest level of construction safety education through expertise in training, accident prevention, loss control, consultation and enrichment to students, clients and the community alike.
All training will be conducted at SAFCO’s training facility, which provides a professional, confidential and educational environment for individuals that are interested in or currently working in the private or public sectors of the construction field.
II. Company language access policy and goals
The current language access initiatives underway at SAFCO involve the use of bilingual employees. (Languages spoken include Spanish and Greek) This occurs informally, so if a learner needing language assistance came into the office or called, the appropriate bilingual staff member, if available, would be enlisted to help. Learner service support is a key focus for SAFCO; therefore, the primary goal of a language access plan is to ensure that language is not a barrier to anyone seeking our services.
Based on statistics from calls received and conversations with SAFCO’s staff, the company does not experience a high number of Limited English Proficient (LEP) learners looking for classes in languages not already served, in proportion to overall the learner is served. However, if a lack of awareness about the company by the LEP population is a factor, the company will try to address it through updates to the plan. A yearly review of the plan would be necessary to ensure all learners are included.
The Language Access Coordinator will be responsible for creating new tracking logs, employee awareness of the plan, measuring milestones and any eventual updates to the plan. The company will gauge the successful implementation of the plan by soliciting learners’ feedback, meeting the milestones and through an annual review.
III. LEP population assessment
SAFCO’s Office Administrators assists the number of calls from people demonstrating limited English or requesting language assistance (ex. Caller or a walk-in could say: “do you speak Spanish”?) are then transferred to a bilingual employee. The Office Administrators can recall only a few instances where a language was requested which could not be accommodated.
In SAFCO’s plan, a log will be kept with the Office Administrators at the main offices of all LEP requests, noting date, language and whether a learner was not successfully assisted or not able to help or services in the language required. This will be to determine an official number of LEP requests directly to the company.
As a small company, resources at SAFCO are limited. The company will continue to utilize bilingual employees when they are available. The company will begin formally tracking any instances where a bilingual employee assisted a learner in a language other than English, Spanish or Greek. This will be included in the quarterly report reviewed by the Language Access Coordinator.
At this point, the company has experienced most requests directly in Spanish, and Greek - the languages spoken by its bilingual employees. If through the newly instituted tracking of LEP requests, the top languages are identified, they will be considered in the annual plan review.
IV. Provision of language access services
SAFCO will continue to use bilingual employees for telephone and in-person interpretation/training (Spanish and Greek) however will now log the exchanges. In the future, the company would be interested in including more bilingual employees and/or interpretation devices or services.
At this point, great demand for language services by SAFCO customers has not been established. Also, neither a demonstrated need for translated SAFCO documents nor top languages for learners have been identified. It is, therefore, premature to attempt to translate any essential documents into other languages. The Language Access Coordinator will review any requests for translated documents. If a document is identified for translation, the company will consider assistance from a volunteer language bank or other similar resources as soon as possible.
Since the company will continue to utilize bilingual employees for telephone and in-person translation and training, the company will use the same methods of directing LEP customers to these employees. The company will rely heavily on customer feedback for the purpose of quality assurance. This feedback will be reviewed on a quarterly and annual basis.
V. Training
The Language Access Coordinator will conduct trainings when required with the relevant staff within the division, and ad hoc training can be provided to new staff as they are on-boarded. The coordinator will also update staff regularly on developments with the learner service and language access in this meeting.
Training will begin with instruction for staff by the Language Access Coordinator on using the new logs to record instances of LEP service requests. Any updates to the plan would be presented to the staff and all aspects would be reviewed with new employees. There will also be ongoing training with employees to ensure LEP learners are directed quickly and accurately to the appropriate staff member who can assist.
VI. Record keeping and evaluation
As mentioned above, the company will institute new logs for tracking any LEP requests and prepare reports based on the data when required. The review will also look at the results of Quality Assurance measures such as learner satisfaction reports following language assistance with a bilingual employee. A review of the plan will document any changes in the service population and incorporate any learner feedback regarding language services.
VII. Resource analysis and planning
The plan mentioned above makes use of existing staff and resources. Given the company’s student base, this seems to be the most realistic plan of action at the moment. If any updates to the plan are made during the scheduled review periods, available company resources will need to be considered.
VIII. Assistance
If SAFCO is unable to assist the learner in their language, they are provided with DOB direct website with other course providers contact information for further assistance in the proper language.
Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/dob-approved-course-provider-list.page
IX. Language Access Coordinator
Kiera White is the Language Access Coordinator for SAFCO Construction Services
Main Office: 31-21 31st Street, LIC NY 11106, T: 929.296.0303, E: kierasafcoservices@gmail.com
Updated 2023