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B. Provision of Bilingual /Interpretive Services <br />The agency will ensure that effective bilingual /interpretive services are <br />provided to serve the needs of the non - English speaking population. The <br />provision of bilingual /interpretive services will be prompt without undue <br />delays. In most circumstances, this requires language services to be <br />available during all operating hours. <br />This requirement will be met by: Lee County will utilize County and City <br />of Sanford bilingual employees when possible. There is one employee in <br />the Sanford Human Resources Department and one in the Sanford Fire <br />Department that can be used for interpretive services. In addition, there are <br />staff within the Lee County Department of Social Services whom are <br />bilingual. A telephone interpreter service will be used in those cases where <br />the individual does not speak Spanish or English and requires an <br />interpreter. <br />2. The agency will provide language assistance at all level of interaction with <br />LEP individuals, including telephone interactions. <br />This requirement will be met by: Lee County and City of Sanford <br />bilingual employees will be utilized when possible. A telephone <br />interpreter service will be used in those cases where the individual does <br />not speak Spanish or English and requires and interpreter. <br />3. Interpreter Standards <br />a. Those providing bilingual /interpretive services will meet the <br />linguistic and cultural competency standards set forth below. The <br />agency will ensure that interpreters and self - identified bilingual <br />staff, have first been screened to ensure that the following <br />standards are met before being used for interpreter services: <br />i. Can fluently and effectively communicate in both English <br />and the primary language of the LEP individual <br />ii. Can accurately and impartially interpret to and from such <br />languages and English <br />iii. Has a basic knowledge of specialized terms and concepts <br />used frequently in the provision of the agency's services <br />iv. Demonstrates cultural competency <br />V. Understands the obligation to maintain confidentiality <br />vi. Understands the roles of interpreters and the ethics <br />associated with being an interpreter <br />Lee County, NC 5 <br />Language Access Plan <br />