Title
Adopt the Language Access Plan and Authorize Receipt of a Grant
PURPOSE: To request that the Town Council adopt the Language Access Plan and authorize the Town Manager to amend the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with UNC-Chapel Hill and receive a $25,000 grant from the Building Integrated Communities Program at the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC-Chapel Hill to fund the plan's first-year implementation.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Communication & Engagement
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Catherine Lazorko, Communication & Engagement Director, 919-918-7314 or clazorko@carrboronc.gov
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
__x_ Race/Equity ____ Climate __x__ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
In 2020, the Town adopted the Inclusive Carrboro Communications and Community Engagement Plan, recognizing that effective communication between local government and residents is essential in building equitable community relationships, supporting public health and safety, and fostering civic participation. The Plan identifies the need for the Town to increase engagement with underrepresented communities, which include immigrant and refugee residents who moved to North Carolina to work, join families, and seek a better life. The Plan identifies the need to provide meaningful language access to Town information, services, meetings, and leadership opportunities for residents who have limited proficiency (LEP) in the English language.
In addition to the Inclusive Carrboro Communications and Community Engagement Plan, the Town has adopted the following plans and resolutions that also emphasize the need for language access:
* Carrboro Connects 2022-2042 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in June of 2022
* Race & Equity Action Plan: Weaving Equity into Town Governance, adopted in November of 2023
* Resolution in Support of Immigrant Communities (March 19, 2024)
(The REAL for the Language Access Plan is included as Attachmen...
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