Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Español Hmoob Somali

Overview

As the capital of Minnesota, Saint Paul is a cultural and diversity hub. The City of Saint Paul is committed to making its services, programs and activities available to everyone, regardless of language barriers. As residents, workers, and visitors who contribute to the quality of life in the City, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals are entitled to meaningful access to City services. 

Per Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, as a recipient of federal funds, the City of Saint Paul and its sub-recipients must take reasonable steps to ensure that Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons have meaningful access to the programs, services, and information those entities provide.

LEP persons may not speak English as their primary language and may have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English and thus may be entitled to language assistance with respect to a particular type of service, benefit or encounter.

Details

• LEP Documents
• LEP Languages
  • Español
  • Hmoob
  • Somali
  • Karen

LEP Plan

One in five City of Saint Paul (City) residents speaks a language other than English in their homes. Based on data collected from a variety of sources, including the Saint Paul Public Schools and the U.S. Census Bureau, the City’s primary language groups that are non-English include, but are not limited to Spanish, Hmong, Karen, and Somali. This means that increasingly, City employees are providing services to individuals who may be limited English proficient (LEP) as a result of national origin. The City's LEP Language Access Plan outlines and describes how the City will improve access to its services for LEP individuals.

The City is committed to making its services and information about those services available to everyone, regardless of their preferred language. As residents, workers or visitors who contribute to the quality of life in the City, LEP individuals are entitled to meaningful access to City services. As a recipient of federal financial assistance, the City is required by federal law to plan for and provide meaningful access to City services for LEP individuals.

The City's LEP plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., and its implementing regulations, which state that no individual shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Executive Order 13166, titled “Improving Access to Services for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency” indicates that differing treatment based upon an individual’s inability to speak, read, write, or understand English is a type of national origin discrimination. It directs Federal agencies to publish guidance for its respective recipients clarifying their obligation to ensure that such discrimination does not take place. This Executive Order applies to all state and local agencies, which receive federal funds, including all City departments receiving federal grant funding.

View the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan - Guidelines and Procedures

If you feel you have not received adequate access to language services, or services you received were sub-standard in quality, you can let us know by filling out the LEP Language Access Public Complaint Form 

If you would like to request an interpreter to be present for an upcoming event or meeting, or would like a specific form or document translated into your preferred language, you can reach out to the department or office that is hosting the event or meeting, or fill out the Accommodation Request Form

LEP Documents

Interpreter Services Poster