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Advocacy and Language Access Program (ALAP)
Since OLA serves as the Mayor’s liaison on issues concerning the Latino community, the purpose of the Advocacy and Language Access Program (ALAP)--created under the Office’s new business strategic plan--is to provide consultation, collaboration, and technical support services to the Mayor, District government agencies, and Latino community groups, so that the more than 50,000 Spanish-speaking residents of the city are better informed, represented, and served. OLA’s ALAP has two primary programmatic components:
Language Access
The ALAP provides technical assistance and linguistic support to DC government in order to ensure that District programs and services are delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner to the Latinos residents of the city, through the effective implementation of the Language Access Act of 2004 (LAA). Moreover, it serves as a consultative and collaborative body for the Office on Human Rights to develop, update, and monitor the execution of each District departments’ respective Biennial Language Access Plan (BLAP).
Advocacy [Intergovernmental/Private Sector Relations]
OLA recognizes that greater participation in local government programs and services has the potential of markedly improving the quality of life of LEP populations, particularly those of Latino families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and children. As a result, the ALAP advocates on their behalf in and outside DC government, so that DC Latino residents may be better informed, represented, and able to access a full range of health, education, housing, economic development, and employment services. In addition, the ALAP serves as a linking mechanism that provides collaborative services to/between Latino interest and community groups, the Mayor, DC government agencies, and private sector institutions.
OLA’s ALAP is working to address pressing issues for District Latinos, such as employment and community-police relations, through its active and decided participation in the DC Workforce Investment Council (DCWIC) and MPD’s Latino Advisory Council, respectively. Moreover, OLA, in conjunction with the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), is helping the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) remove some of the barriers to housing choice faced by LEP populations.
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