Laserfiche WebLink
Language Access Plan <br />Lee County, North Carolina <br />The purpose of this Policy and Plan is to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil <br />Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable federal and state laws and their implementing <br />regulations with respect to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP). Title VI of <br />the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on the ground of race, color <br />or national origin by any entity receiving federal financial assistance. Administrative <br />methods or procedures, which have the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination <br />or defeating the objectives of these regulations, are prohibited. <br />In order to avoid discrimination on the grounds of national origin, all programs or <br />activities administered by the County must take adequate steps to ensure that their <br />policies and procedures do not deny or have the effect of denying LEP individuals with <br />equal access to benefits and services for which such persons qualify. This Policy defines <br />the responsibilities the agency has to ensure LEP individuals can communicate <br />effectively. <br />This policy and plan is effective September 30, 2012 for a period of two (2) years. <br />I. Scope of Policy <br />These requirements will apply to all partially or wholly federally- funded activities <br />undertaken by the County of Lee (herein referred to as "the agency ") including <br />subcontractors, vendors, and subrecipients. <br />The agency will ensure that LEP individuals are provided meaningful access to benefits <br />and services provided through contractors or service providers receiving subgrants from <br />the agency. <br />II. Definitions <br />A. DOJ: North Carolina Department of Justice <br />B. Limited English Proficient (LEP) individual — Any prospective, potential, or <br />actual recipient of benefits or services from the agency who cannot speak, read, <br />write or understand the English language at a level that permits them to interact <br />effectively with health care providers and social service agencies. <br />C. Vital Documents — These forms include, but are not limited to, applications, <br />consent forms, all compliance plans, bid documents (within reasonable notice), <br />fair housing information, citizen participation plans, letters containing important <br />information regarding participation in a program; notices pertaining to the <br />reduction, denial, or termination of services or benefits, including the right to <br />appeal such actions, or that require a response from beneficiary notices advising <br />LEP persons of the availability of free language assistance, LEP outreach <br />materials, and other documents determined by the agency to be vital documents. <br />Lee County, NC <br />Language Access Plan <br />