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Language Access Collaborative Teams

Launched in 2023, the first cohort of the Language Access Collaborative brought together nine teams of North Carolina local governments and community-based organizations to build bridges of communication. Learn more about each team in alphabetical order below.

Town of Apex and Fiesta Cristiana Family Resource Center

Approved by Town Council, April 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish and Chinese

Highlights:

  • The Town purchased ReciteMe web accessibility software that includes language translation features. Together with community partner Fiesta Cristiana, the Town is evaluating the software’s accuracy and reach.
  • A UNC School of Government Lead for NC Fellow will assist the Town with the implementation phase of the Language Access Plan.

Demographic Data

Population72,225
Residents born outside of the U.S.15.8%
People who speak languages other than English19.5%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

Team Photo


Buncombe County and Poder Emma

Approved by County Leadership, April 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian

Highlights:

  • The County created a Language Access Policy, approved by County Commissioners, later followed by a detailed Language Access Plan that provides local data and detailed management guidance.
  • The County created an interdepartmental Language Access Liaison program and individual departmental language access budgets.
  • Community partner Poder Emma played a pivotal role in conducting in-person bilingual assessments with County staff in the planning phase and is taking a lead role in promoting the County’s new Language Access Plan.

Demographic Data

Population275,901
Residents born outside of the U.S.6.4%
People who speak languages other than English8.4%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

Team Photo


City of Concord and El Puente Hispano

Approved by City leadership, May 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish, Hindi, and American Sign Language

Highlights:

  • The City identified American Sign Language (ASL) as one of the City’s strategic languages and created a policy to include English closed captioning on all City videos.
  • Community partner El Puente Hispano will continue collaboration with the City as they start to focus on language access during emergencies.

Demographic Data

Population110,119
Residents born outside of the U.S.11.2%
People who speak languages other than English17.1%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

Team Photo


City of High Point and YWCA High Point Latino Family Center

Approved by City Leadership, May 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish and Urdu

Highlights:

  • The City’s Language Access Plan includes extensive survey analysis, community interviews, and both short-term and long-term action steps.
  • The City is currently focused on translating vital documents, identifying departmental Language Access Liaisons, and continuing collaboration with community partner YWCA High Point Latino Family Center.

Demographic Data

Population116,926
Residents born outside of the U.S.12.7%
People who speak languages other than English19.2%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

Team Photo


Town of Morrisville and Hindi Vikas Mandal

Approved by Town Council, February 2024

Strategic Language: Hindi

Highlights:

  • The Town will continue its relationship with community partner Hindi Vikas Mandal through plan promotion and joint staff training.
  • The Town launched a multilingual video to introduce the Language Access Plan on International Mother Language Day which includes additional strategic languages when working with local businesses.   
  • A UNC School of Government Lead for NC Fellow will assist the Town with the implementation phase of the Language Access Plan.

Demographic Data

Population31,703
Residents born outside of the U.S.35%
People who speak languages other than English43.5%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

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New Hanover County and Cape Fear Latinos

Approved by County Leadership, February 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish and American Sign Language

Highlights:

  • The County expanded bilingual signage and enhanced accessibility by including ASL as a strategic language.
  • The County developed a new Language Access Coordinator position to lead implementation efforts with input from community partners like Cape Fear Latinos.

Demographic Data

Population238,852
Residents born outside of the U.S.5.3%
People who speak languages other than English7.1%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

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City of Raleigh and US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

Approved by City leadership, August 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish and American Sign Language

Highlights:

  • The City assessment included a series of staff and community stakeholder meetings in addition to a staff survey and input from community partner USCRI Raleigh Field Office.
  • The City launched new UserWay web accessibility software that includes language translation features.
  • The City designed a tiered strategic language structure to guide the translation of vital documents.

Demographic Data

Population482,295
Residents born outside of the U.S.13%
People who speak languages other than English17.7%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

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City of Wilmington and Coastal Horizons

Still in progress

Strategic Languages: Spanish

Highlights:

  • The City established a new language skills pay policy for bilingual employees.
  • The City created a bilingual Language Access webpage with staff articles, data tables, and more.
  • The City will continue strong collaboration with community partner Coastal Horizons during outreach and engagement efforts.

Demographic Data

Population122,698
Residents born outside of the U.S.5%
People who speak languages other than English7.8%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

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City of Winston-Salem and World Relief Triad

Approved by City leadership, June 2024

Strategic Languages: Spanish and American Sign Language

Highlights:

  • With a strong focus on emergency preparedness and response, the City’s plan designed a tiered strategic language structure to guide the translation of emergency messages and created a separate language access plan for emergency response.
  • The City is working closely with community partner World Relief Triad to identify and support local interpreters who speak strategic languages.
  • The City created a bilingual Building Bridges newsletter and various videos with information about language access resources in the City.

Demographic Data

Population252,975
Residents born outside of the U.S.10.4%
People who speak languages other than English18.2%
U.S. Census Bureau’s Quick Facts 2023

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