Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and PoliciesThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in Section II Strategic Elements . This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 9. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-stop Delivery System for English Language Learners
Current Narrative:
Any entity administering WIOA Title I- financially assisted programs and activities shall ensure that no individual is discriminated against on the basis of national origin. The proposed regulations governing the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA consider discrimination on grounds of national origin to include treating an individual “adversely because they (or their families or ancestors) are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent (including physical, linguistic, and cultural characteristics closely associated with a national origin group), or because the recipient perceives the individual to be of a certain national origin, even if they are not”.[1] Further, recipients shall take reasonable steps to ensure that each limited English proficient (LEP) individual served or encountered is effectively informed about the services available to them and able to participate in the program or activity.[2] Georgia’s agencies responsible for administering the programs funded under WIOA continue to ensure that LEP individuals are provided with the same quality services that any other individual receives.
Georgia’s one-stop center operators and one-stop delivery system partners comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and continue to provide programmatic accessibility to all individuals, including those with LEP. All one-stops shall provide notice to LEP individuals that interpretation and translation services are available upon request. At the initial point of contact, LEP individuals will be provided timely language assistance free of charge and vital documentation will be translated to his or her native language if required.[3] In some local area’s one-stops, where a significant proportion of LEP individuals seek services, language identification cards may be used to assist LEP individuals in identifying their primary language. If an LEP individual is determined eligible for services, staff is instructed to document in the Georgia Work Ready Online Portal and the State’s tracking system what language assistance was provided and may be necessary for that participants continued participation. The information stored in the Georgia Work Ready Online Portal and the State tracking system are secure and the participant’s LEP remains confidential.
More robust LEP services are routinely provided in local areas which serve significant LEP populations. Bi-lingual staff proficient in speaking and interpreting the most commonly identified non-English languages are typically accessible onsite and are utilized to communicate with LEP customers and assist them in getting the services they need. If bi-lingual staff is unavailable on-site, GDOL staff is instructed to utilize the Georgia Department of Labor’s Multi-Lingual Directory. The Multi-Lingual Directory personnel are then able to immediately assist the LEP individual in accessing services. In addition, the GDOL contracts with the Language Line, which provides interpreter services in over one-hundred languages to assist LEP customers. Another resource available to staff is the Absolute Interpreting Service Inc.[1] or Latin Americans Translators Network (LATN) which provide sign language assistance.
[1]Georgia Interpreting Services Network
[1] Proposed Regulation 29 C.F.R. § 38.9(a)
[2] Proposed Regulation 29 C.F.R. § 38.9(b)