Global Philadelphia The City of Philadelphia s Language Access Program May 9, 2011
According to the 2010 Census Philadelphia is becoming more ethnically diversified. Philadelphia s population increased by 0.6%, or 8,456 people. 8.3% drop in White residents 0.9% increase in Black residents 42.3% increase in Asian residents 45.5% increase in Hispanic residents Philadelphia is a Global City
According to 2009 ACS estimates The foreign born represented 11.5% of Philadelphia population Philadelphia Foreign Born 60% 50% 55% 40% 45% 30% 20% 10% 0% % Naturalized % Not Citizen 2005-09 ACS Philadelphia is a Global City
LEP Philadelphia in 2003 2010 Census Data
For many Immigrants: Limited English Proficiency Anti-Immigrant Legislation Adult literacy issues Fear of government Unfamiliarity with access to City services and resources Abusive employers Lack of access to economic opportunity Challenges to Integration
Launched in 2003 Mission: To strengthen the relationship between diverse linguistic communities and the City by improving Philadelphia s language accessibility and by ensuring that English language proficiency is not a barrier to accessing City services and programs What is Global Philadelphia?
Project Manager David Torres Managing Director s Office Global Philadelphia Ambassadors City Departmental Liaisons Global Philadelphia: Personnel
Mandates push - Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Federal Executive Order 13166 - The Managing Director s Directive 62 of December 3, 2007 - The Mayor s Executive Order of June 9, 2008 Opportunities pull - Respond to demographic changes - Eliminate disparities - Attract and retain population - Support business growth and development - Enhance public health and safety - Continue to grow Philadelphia as an international hub Why is Philadelphia committed to improving access to City services for LEP individuals?
Improve the provision and quality of City services by increasing language accessibility for LEP residents & visitors Technical support from MDO and community partners All City agencies create Language Access Plans, Protocols Contracts with language access service vendors Staff Training Monitoring of language access svcs utilization trends Ongoing dialogue with stakeholders Performance Management Strengthen and spur economic development in the City s linguistically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods Global Philadelphia Approach
Each department develops and implements its own language access policy (LAP) Resources from MDO Contracts (5 services, 3 vendors) Training Implementation consulting/assistance Accountability MDO, advocates/community, DOJ Elements of our Approach
Health Centers Provide primary care services to a predominantly lowincome population. Licenses and Inspections Enforce the City s code requirements, including building, fire, health, housing, business and zoning regulations, for the enhancement of public safety. Police Department Law enforcement and public safety City Commissioners Oversee Elections for City of Philadelphia Elements of our Approach
Health Center 10 (lower NE): 2,288 calls Spanish, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese Health Center 6 (lower North Philly): 2,194 calls Spanish, Arabic, Albanian, Vietnamese, Mandarin Health Center 2 (South Philly): 1,748 calls Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian Central Scheduling (Center City): 1,515 calls Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, French, Arabic Health Center 3 (West Philly): 382 calls Mandarin, Spanish, French, Amharic, Cantonese Other languages: Cambodian, Mandingo, Russian, Pashto Data source: Telephonic interpretation utilization, July 2010 May 2011. Selected Health Centers: Most Commonly Requested Languages
July 2007 to Present 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 July 07 Aug 07 Sept 07 Oct 07 Nov 07 Dec 07 Jan 08 Feb 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 Aug 08 Sept 08 Oct 08 Nov 08 Dec 08 Jan 09 Feb 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 Aug 09 Sept 09 Oct 09 Nov 09 Dec 09 Jan 10 Feb 10 March 10 April 10 May 10 June 10 Health Centers: Increasing Utilization of Telephonic Interpretation Services
2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 City Wide: Increasing Utilization of Telephonic Interpretation Services
Language access service utilized in almost all City agencies. Policy and plans developed by most. Increasing utilization of language access services across City operating departments Created new resources: Language Access I Speak Cards and Translation Station Piggyback provision in language access contracts Recent Progress
Cultural sensitivity training being provided in various departments. Created new website and Facebook page: www.phila.gov/globalphiladelphia www.facebook.com/globalphiladelphia Recent Progress
Lack of funding Cross-departmental coordination Competing priorities in difficult budgetary climate Frequency of demand means some City employees can still get by without providing language services Resistance to change at front line staff level Different departmental cultures require customized approaches Dispersion of city services System that offers few rewards/incentives to bilingual employees Challenges
Immigrant integration is a two-way process in which newcomers and the receiving society work together to build secure, vibrant and cohesive communities. (Source: Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees) Defining Integration
Pathways to Integration Language Access & Education (Improved Service Delivery; literacy assistance, interpretation & translation services) Access to Economic Opportunity (increased contracting and employment opportunities) Fair & Equal Treatment (laws which protect rights of these populations) Civic Engagement (Leadership development, participation of these communities in activities to advance common good) Globalization (Efforts which attract investment, skilled talent, tourism, commerce, etc.)
INTEGRATION CATEGORY ACTIVITY EXAMPLES Language access and education Executive Order 9-08 MDO Directive 62 Departmental language access plans Interpretation/translation services Cultural competency training I Speak Cards Fair and equal treatment Executive Order 9-08 and 8-09 Amendment to PARS agreement Mayoral public positions on immigration reform & Dream Act Human Relations Commission hearings and recommendations on South Philly HS violence Revised Fair Practices Act Access to economic opportunity Commerce Department s Business & Technical Assistance Program for African/Caribbean and Russian speaking businesses Support/funding for Hispanic & Asian Chambers of Commerce Business Development Task Force Accomplishments as a City
INTEGRATION CATEGORY Civic engagement and participation Globalization ACTIVITY EXAMPLES Naturalization ceremonies 2010 Census project Mayor s Commissions on Asian American Affairs & African/Caribbean Immigrant Affairs Civic Forum on Immigration (08) International Philadelphia Work Group (09) Outreach to Latino community Service projects in ethnic and immigrant communities Multicultural Affairs Congress PCVB International Visitors council Philadelphia International Airport Development Accomplishments as a City
Coordinate all immigrant integrative programs Global Philadelphia / Office of Multicultural Affairs / Commerce Department / IVC Public Outreach Campaign Implement recommendations of work group Re-issue MDO Directive 62 Secure stable, dedicated and expanded funding source for the program Next Steps
Global Philadelphia Initiative Purpose: To assist diverse cultural and linguistic communities in understanding how city government works and how to participate in it. To target attention and resources to particularly vulnerable groups facing social, and economic challenges. To strengthen the ability of diverse cultural and linguistic communities to participate fully in the social and economic life of Philadelphia. Operational goals: Continue to improve the coordination and delivery of existing services and outreach efforts (language access plans, policy work around immigration, Latino outreach/services, small business technical assistance) Implement strategic plan based on our local experience, best practices and recommendations from stakeholders (International Workgroup, Civic Forum)
In Philadelphia, WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE! Visit us on-line! www.phila.gov/globalphiladelphia www.facebook.com/globalphiladelphia