CRF Language Assistance Plan

I. Introduction

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, titled Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, Community Reinvestment Fund, Inc. (CRF) has developed this Language Assistance Plan (LAP) to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) have access to CRF’s resources and services.

Executive Order 13166 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, including differential treatment based on English language proficiency. This LAP outlines CRF’s commitment to providing language assistance services to LEP individuals accessing our services. The purpose of this LAP is to establish strategies for providing services to LEP persons to prioritize equity and inclusion with CRF’s offerings which is essential to CRF’s mission of improving lives and strengthening communities through innovative financial solutions. To prepare for the development of this plan, we utilized the four-factor analysis which balanced the below four factors:

1. The number or proportion of LEP persons in the service area who may be served by CRF;
2. The frequency with which LEP persons come in contact with CRF’s services;
3. The nature and importance of services provided by CRF to the LEP population; and
4. The resources available to CRF and costs to provide LEP assistance.

II. Assessment of Language Assistance Needs

CRF recognizes the importance of providing equitable services to all individuals, including those with LEP. To ensure meaningful access and effective communication with LEP individuals, we have conducted a comprehensive assessment of language assistance needs. We have reviewed demographic data to identify the languages spoken by the population we serve. This analysis helps us understand the language diversity within our community and prioritize language assistance resources accordingly.

We engage the services of a third-party vendor that offers access to interpretation and translation services in hundreds of languages, including languages that CRF has encountered with its customers. This engagement enables us to bridge language barriers and provide effective communication for LEP individuals accessing our programs and services. CRF is committed to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for all members of our community, regardless of language proficiency.

III. Language Assistance Measures

CRF utilizes the interpreting services of its diverse employees to assist LEP customers with varied translation and interpreting needs. In the instances where we are not able to employ internal resources to provide language services, CRF has access to a third-party vendor’s services to meet the needs of LEP persons. Our interpreting services will be provided at no charge to LEP persons interested in CRF’s offerings.

IV. Staff Training

The following training will be provided to all staff:

• Information on Title VI and LAP responsibilities
• The third-party vendor offering interpreting and translating services also offers training on how to access and utilize its translation services, and that training is available to CRF staff.

CRF’s Small Business Specialist, Christian Shada, will oversee the implementation of the LAP and may be contacted at Christian.shada@crfusa.com.

V. Dissemination of CRF’s LAP

CRF will provide notice of language assistance services by posting signage at its headquarters related to CRF’s LAP and how to access its language services. CRF will also post a copy of this plan on our website.

VI. Monitoring and Tracking

The staff person responsible for overseeing and implementing our LAP services and CRF’s Director of DEI, will be engaged in the following:

• Assess the effectiveness of our language assistance services based on feedback from CRF’s employees, community members, and persons with LEP;
• Establish any changes or updates to the LAP;
• Monitor CRF’s offerings to ensure it aligns with this LAP.