The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) issued instructions to Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs) about providing bilingual and interpreter services. DCSS’ new policy is based on the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act.
DCSS directed LCSAs to 1) provide interpreters for limited English proficient persons who speak a language spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, 2) post notices in languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA about the availability of bilingual services upon request, 3) translate written materials, including forms, signs and literature, into languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, and 4) determine and employ a sufficient number of bilingual staff in public contact positions.
DCSS included a chart of languages that are spoken by 5% of the population served by the LCSA based on the 2010 census and the American Communities Survey. CSS Letter 16-05 (February 9, 2016).