The Johnson County Board of Supervisors commissioned a consultant to create the county’s language access plan as it pushes to make county services more accessible for limited English speakers.
At its July 30 meeting, the board unanimously approved a contract with Lighting UP Language, a Missouri-based consultant, to create a comprehensive language access plan. The county will pay the consultant $68,500 for the plan and has set aside $16,500 to purchase the necessary technology and software.
The plan will be backed by American Rescue Plan Act funds the county previously set aside.
The Language Access Plan is one of dozens of priorities laid out in the board’s yet-to-be finalized strategic plan.
A seventh of Johnson County’s residents speak foreign languages at home
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 14% of Johnson County residents speak a language other than English at home, more than a seventh of the population.
Lighting UP Language plans to address residential needs, conduct interviews with stakeholders, analyze data, and submit a Language Access Needs Assessment Report with a targeted completion date of Sept. 4.
The consultant will create the language access plan and staffing strategy while providing technology and vendor recommendations. They will also vet local partnerships for in-person interpretation and translation services. The consultants plan to finish the Language Access Plan by Oct. 2.
The consultants will then create and deliver training to county employees and provide toolkits for ongoing use, with a target date of Nov. 25.
Liam Halawith covers Johnson County local government, the University of Iowa, and crime for the Press-Citizen. Reach him by email at lhalawith@registermedia.com. Follow him on X at @liam_halawith.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Johnson County approves $85K plan to improve language access
Reporting by Liam Halawith, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liam Halawith, Iowa City Press-Citizen | USA TODAY Network
