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BOOK 23 PAGE664 delays. In most circumstances, this requires language services to be available during all operating hours. This requirement will be met by: Lee County will utilize County and City of Sanford bilingual employees when possible. Should an LEP client need community development services at the Lee County Government Center, he or she will be directed to the Community Development Department by a bilingual county employee and Community Development Department staff will then assist with further interpretation services. Although there are many bilingual employees throughout the city and county departments, there is one employee in the Sanford Human Resources Department and one in the Sanford Fire Department that can be used for interpretive services. In addition, Lee County Sheriffs Office bilingual employees may be used in emergency circumstances. A telephone interpreter service will be used in those cases where the individual does not speak Spanish or English and requires an interpreter. (describe whether the agency has bilingual staff, and if so, how many and in what Sections/Programs/Divisions, whether the agency uses contractual services to meet this requirement, whether the agency relies on telephone interpreter services, etc.) 2. The agency will provide language assistance at all level of interaction with LEP individuals, including telephone interactions. Describe how this requirement will be met: Lee County and City of Sanford bilingual employees will be utilized when possible. A telephone interpreter service will be used in those cases where the individual does not speak Spanish or English and requires an interpreter. (Note: The agency may use paid interpreters, qualified bilingual employees, and qualified employees of other agencies or community resources. Telephone interpreter- services should only be utilized as a back-up system or where other language assistance options are unavailable.) 3. Interpreter Standards a. Those providing bilingual/interpretive services will meet the linguistic and cultural competency standards set forth below. The agency will ensure that interpreters and self-identified bilingual staff, have first been screened to ensure that the following standards are met before being used for interpreter services: 1. Can fluently and effectively communicate in both English and the primary language of the LEP individual ii. Can accurately and impartially interpret to and from such languages and English 5