Thread: County Dept. of S.S. to enhance language services

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343


New York State’s Montgomery County Department of Social Services to Enhance How it Provides Language Services

HHS’ Office for Civil Rights and Montgomery County Department of Social Services, New York Sign Voluntary Resolution Agreement
Under a resolution agreement reached with the Montgomery County Department of Social Services in the state of New York, people with limited English proficiency -- those who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English -- will have improved access to Medicaid and other social services programs.

The Montgomery County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) provides or administers a wide-range of publicly funded social services and cash assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), Medicaid, emergency assistance, general relief, adult protective services, and personal care services. Its programs reach approximately 28,000 people.

All programs operated by MCDSS and other agencies that receive federal financial assistance are prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing regulation from administering their programs in ways that have the effect of delaying or denying services to persons on the basis of their race, color, or national origin. Consistent with Title VI’s implementing regulation, 45 CFR Part 80, MCDSS is required to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access by eligible limited English proficient (LEP) individuals to its programs, which typically involves providing language services, including oral interpretation and written translations.

“This agreement is an excellent example of how HHS helps social service providers to understand and fulfill their obligations under federal civil rights laws and regulations,â€

will have improved access to Medicaid and other social services programs.


Yes, let's reward people for not assimilating to OUR language. sarcasm. This galls me.

American citizens are required to be able to speak, read & write in ENGLISH. If she is NOT a legal citizen of the United States of America ("UNITED", meaning we are from many different countries, but we all speak ONE language) Then it is also ILLEGAL for her to be receiving welfare. It is ILLEGAL for the Federal or State governments to take taxpayers' money, and use it to AID a criminal invader!

Enough about the governments' "responsibilities" to non-citizens, while foresaking legal citizens that usually get denied these services themselves.