Language Access

Ensuring meaningful access to all CoC programs for non-English speaking individuals.

The MSCHC complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires that all federally funded recipients ensure timely and meaningful access to all individuals regardless of their preferred language, English proficiency, and communication abilities and preferences.

Provided Language Access Services

All agencies part of the MSCHC have access to the following language services as part of their membership in the consortium. All MSCHC member agencies are expected to provide the following services to non-English speaking clients or clients with a communication disability in line with the protocols in the MSCHC Language Access Plan.

Phone interpretation
Video sign language interpretation
Auxiliary aids and services for individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing or who have a visual impairment
Translated documents

MSCHC Language Access Plan

The MSCHC Language Access Plan provides the blueprint on provision of language access services and is meant as a guide for all CoC member agencies. Please reference the MSCHC Language Access Plan for all protocols related to the provision of language access Services.

View the MSCHC Language Access Plan

CoC Member Agency Providers

Need to access an interpreter?

All CoC member agencies have access to MSCHC provided language access services through LanguageLine Solutions, including phone interpretation and video sign language interpretation.

Click on the button below and follow the MSCHC Language Access Plan protocols for accessing a phone or video interpreter.

Access an Interpreter Here

Have a question or need guidance on provision of language access services?

Let us know how we can best support your agency and staff in provision of language access services and implementation of the MSCHC Language Access Plan.

Complete the Agency Support Form

Please contact languageaccess@cafth.org for any questions or concerns related to MSCHC language access services.

Get Help

Request a Language Access Plan Training for your agency

All CoC Agency Staff must be trained in order to use the CoC provided Language Access Services. Staff can attend a scheduled CoC Language Access Training (see below for schedule) or you can request a training for your agency using the form below!

Request Language Access Plan Training for your agency

Title VI, the ADA and HUD Guidance

Federal regulations require that federal financial recipients have an obligation to ensure meaningful access to all individuals regardless of their preferred language, national origin, English proficiency, or communication abilities.

As federal financial recipients in the form of HUD CoC and YHDP program funding, all agencies operating under the umbrella of the TN-501 CoC have an obligation to ensure meaningful access to all programs, services, and activities. This is required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). View these federal regulations using the tabs below.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” – Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Under Title VI, recipients of federal financial assistance have a responsibility to ensure meaningful access to programs and activities by limited English proficient persons.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Under the ADA Effective Communication Requirements, all Title II entities (State and local governments) and Title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) are required to communicate effectively with and provide auxiliary aids and services for people who have a communication disability.

Executive Order 13166 and HUD Final Guidance

In response to Title VI, Executive Order 13166 was published which required all federal agencies extending financial assistance to publish guidance outlining a recipients obligations to ensure access to their services and programs for non-English speaking individuals. In 2007 HUD published their final guidance, Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons. It is this guidance that informed the MSCHC Language Access Plan.

For more information on these federal regulations, use the links below:

Title VI

ADA Effective Communication Requirements

Executive Order 13166

HUD Final Guidance

Community Data and Shelby County Frequently Encountered Languages

Shelby County Demographics

Population five years and older – 910,042
Population that speaks a language other than English – 84,671
Percentage of Shelby County residents who speak English less than “very well” – 3.7%
Of those who speak a language other than English – 36.9% speak English less than very well

This data is from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 1-year estimates subject tables. The American Community Survey is conducted by the US Census Bureau and collects demographic, economic, and housing data every year. The ACS is conducted in all U.S. states, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, and Hawaiian home lands.

Commonly Spoken Languages in Shelby County

Spanish – 46,464 individuals, 5.3% of Shelby County population
Vietnamese – 4,150 individuals, 0.47% of Shelby County population
Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese) – 3,374, 0.3% of Shelby County population
African languages – 4,577, 0.3% of Shelby County population
Arabic – 3,587, 0.41% of Shelby County Population
Korean – 1,695, 0.19% of Shelby County population

This data is from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 1-year estimates subject tables. The American Community Survey is conducted by the US Census Bureau and collects demographic, economic, and housing data every year. The ACS is conducted in all U.S. states, American Indian and Alaska Native areas, and Hawaiian home lands.

Contribute Data When You Encounter Non-English Speaking Individuals

Are you encountering non-English speaking individuals or individuals with a communication disability experiencing homelessness? Help the consortium collect community data by documenting these encounters.

Click here to access our data collection form.

Language Access Resources

Quick Guide References

Please use these Quick Guide References for easy provision of language access services for clients.

Accessing a Phone Interpreter
Accessing a Video Sign Language Interpreter
Identifying Client Language and Communication Needs & Using “I speak” Cards
Documenting Client Language and Communication Needs in HMIS
Completing Translated Documents while using an Interpreter
Completing the Client Language Access Needs Assessment
Quick Guide – Short Phrases (Spanish) – Coming soon!

LanguageLine Solutions Resources

Please use these references for support with using LanguageLine Solutions.

LanguageLine Solutions Client Support Center – Find resources and for phone and video interpreting support
Tips for Working with an Interpreter
LanguageLine Offered Languages List

“I speak” Cards & Title IV Notice Templates, Language Disclaimers, and Agency Signages

“I speak” Brochures
Title VI Notice – Flyer
Title VI Notice – Desktop Display

Language Disclaimer Templates – Coming soon!

Agency Signages (Welcome and Restroom Signs in multiple languages)

Visit the Translated Form Hub for translated versions of HMIS & CES Forms

Language Access Training

In order to use the MSCHC provided language access services, all agencies must be members of the MSCHC and staff must receive Language Access Training.

Upcoming Language Access Plan Training Dates:
Friday, November 15th from 10 am – 12 pm: Register Here

*All trainings are the same and staff only need to attend one training to gain access to the Consortium’s provided language services.

If you would like to request Language Access Plan training for your agency, outside of the CoC provided trainings above, please submit a request using this form.

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