Equity in Communication: Translation, Language & Culture Connection Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

San Diego County is home to over 3.3 million people, including immigrant and refugee communities who speak multiple languages. The County of San Diego has adopted policies and strategies for translation and interpretation requirements to meet the needs of the communities. County departments frequently depend on multilingual staff as translators. As the frequency and urgency for written translation increased during COVID-19, so did the need to convene County staff to streamline practices and ensure staff support. The County’s Health and Human Services Agency and Public Safety Group formed the Translation, Language and Culture Connection (TLCC) program, which is comprised of staff with expertise in translation, community engagement, communications and others who are there to learn about language access strategies for replication in their departments. The goal is to advance language access by sharing and adopting practices for creating accurately translated, culturally responsive, trauma informed and accessible communications across the County enterprise. The TLCC program meets monthly to provide progress updates, highlight successful projects, strategize challenges, conduct trainings, and develop recommendations. The TLCC program requires no additional funding and is an example of employee collaboration, professional development, departmental cross-threading, and improving internal practices to serve the community and advance language access.