Webinar: Enhancing Language Access in Rural Communities

Description:

Crime victims who are limited English proficient (LEP) or use different modes of communication such as sign language need meaningful, effective, and equal access to crime victim services and criminal justice supports. This webinar will address the barriers victims who are LEP or use different modes of communication encounter and how to enhance their access to justice in rural communities.

Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the barriers experienced by limited English proficient survivors in rural communities.

• Identify and build resources in rural communities to advocate for survivors who are limited English proficiency (LEP).

• Identify promising practices and strategies to enhance language access in rural communities.

Presenter:

Jose Juan Lara, Jr., MS, is the Systems and Advocacy Senior Program Manager at the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), Interpretation Technical Assistance & Resource Center (ITARC) with over 20 years of experience in cultural competence and responsiveness, dynamics of gender-based violence, language access, organizational development, and victim advocacy. Jose Juan has presented on these issues engaging a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary professionals from criminal justice, social services, policy, and health. Jose Juan’s previous work experience includes serving as the Senior Manager of Community and Capacity Building for Esperanza United; Director of Advocacy and Training for Texas Advocacy Project in Austin; Director of Legal Services for the Family Crisis Center, Inc. in Harlingen; Case Manager Supervisor/ Volunteer Coordinator for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cameron and Willacy Counties; and Legal Advocate Program Coordinator for Friendship of Women, Inc. in Brownsville.