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Effective: March 1, 2008 |
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05.05ar2 - Limited English Proficiency (LEP) (Archive) |
Archived: June 1, 2012 |
The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Program at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) provides oversight of compliance with requirements set out by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The purpose of this compliance is to prevent discrimination based on national origin by removing the language barrier to people with Limited English Proficiency who are accessing information and services.
The DHS Limited English Proficiency Plan is available on the DHS website.
LEP Plan Purpose and Legal Basis.
LEP Plan Purpose and Legal Basis
The purpose of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plans is to ensure meaningful access to program information and services for people with Limited English Proficiency. The legal basis for the LEP plans comes from Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The plans implement the Title VI language access responsibilities of human services providers receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Language assistance services are to be provided free of charge and without undue delay to the individual with Limited English Proficiency. Either the person with Limited English Proficiency may request language assistance, or the provider may offer language assistance, which will use effective communication and lead to meaningful access.
It is critical for workers to become familiar with their own agency's LEP plan. They must know:
l What the basic steps are and who to contact when serving a person with Limited English Proficiency.
l What tools are available (e.g., posters, catalogue of languages, "I need an interpreter" card, etc.).
l Who the LEP coordinator is for their agency.