Providing Services to Non-English Speaking Asian American Litigants Karin Wang, Asian Pacific American Legal Center March 2006

Challenges

Challenge - Demographics California has the nation’s greatest language diversity –224 languages spoken –40% speak a language other than English at home Many Californians face English language barriers –More than 6 million (20%) do not speak English very well California’s growth is driven by immigration –44% of Latinos & 62% of Asian Americans are foreign-born

Challenge - Demographics AA/PIs have significant language barriers –Many speak language other than English at home 79% of AA/PIs overall (18% of US population) –Many speak English less than very well 43% of AA/PIs overall, but 63% of Vietnamese, 57% of Cambodians, 52% of Bangladeshi (8% of US population) –Many are linguistically isolated 30% of AA/PI households overall, but 47% of Korean, 45% of Vietnamese (5% of US population)

Challenge - Demographics There is a strong correlation between high LEP rates & high poverty rates –Hmong: 61% LEP, 53% poverty –Cambodians: 56% LEP, 40% poverty –Overall California: 20% LEP, 14% poverty

Challenge - Fear and Lack of Knowledge Many immigrants and refugees –Fear anything perceived to be a government agency –Lack familiarity with American legal concepts –Lack knowledge of legal aid providers, self- help centers

Challenge - Lack of Resources Insufficient funding at all levels Lack of competent interpreters (ie, not enough trained legal interpreters) Lack of sufficient human capital in many communities (eg, very small or newly emerging groups)

ALLIP

ALLIP - Basics ALLIP: Asian Language Legal Intake Project 4 languages: Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), Korean, Vietnamese 4 partners: –Asian Pacific American Legal Center –Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles –Neighborhood Legal Services –Legal Aid Society of Orange County

ALLIP - Mission & Goals Mission: Provide centralized intake, advice & referral in 4 Asian languages Goals: –Eliminate language as initial barrier to access –Provide single point of entry for legal assistance –Expand capacity of partner legal aids by increasing attorney staffing to take cases –Coordinate outreach among partners

Keys to Success

Principles of Successful Programs Establish clear vision from the top Create strong partnerships between legal aid/court program & community organizations Engage in active outreach & education Provide sufficient staffing Provide single point of entry Use self-help to complement other services Utilize technology

Contact Information Karin Wang, Vice-President, Programs 213/ x234 Juliet Stone, Supervising Attorney 213/ x344 Asian Pacific American Legal Center: ALLIP: