Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports 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 Policies
The 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 Individuals who are English Language Learners
Describe how the one-stop delivery system (including one-stop center operators and the one-stop delivery system partners) will ensure that each one-stop center is able to meet the needs of English language learners, such as through established procedures, staff training, resources, and other materials.
Current Narrative:
The state workforce system provides a variety of services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP). Staff at Idaho American Job Centers have two primary means of providing language assistance: oral interpretation, either in person or via a telephone interpretation service such as the LanguageLink, or written translation. One-Stop staff receive training on how to use the LanguageLink as part of their initial staff training. At a minimum, LEP customers will be offered oral interpretation services to help them access and understand recipient programs. This service ranges from onsite interpreters for critical services provided to a high volume of LEP customers, to accessing assistance through commercially available telephonic interpretation services. Written translation, which is provided as necessary, can range from translation of an entire document to translation of a short description of the document.
The Idaho Department of Labor is the service provider and location manager of all comprehensive and affiliate American Job Center locations in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Labor maintains a comprehensive policy clarifying the Department’s responsibility for providing persons with limited English proficiency meaningful access to agency programs and services as required by Executive Order 13166, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This policy not only includes instructions on reasonable steps to provide meaningful access, it describes potential discriminatory practices, staff training and processes for monitoring and complaints.
Alongside the agency’s policy for Serving Limited English Proficient Customers are training materials and resources available for AJC staff. The resources include instructions and tips for using the LanguageLink service for interpretation services and process for agency translation requests. WIOA Title II providers also use the LanguageLink service to support limited English proficient students when needed. Alongside this service, staff members participate in professional development training on serving limited English proficient students.
In addition, with advance notice, core partners ICBVI and IDVR provide interpreter services for their clients and customers, in the customer’s preferred language, to meet their needs as they seek services. Both agencies utilize state contract providers for these services. In addition, IDVR also uses CTS Language Link, or Linguistica International to assist with real-time interpretation when advance notice is not provided. ICBVI has a staff member who is fluent in Spanish and provides assistance, when needed, to all regions of the state.