Columbus Consolidated Government
Hispanic
Outreach
Project
Servicio de Extension a la comuninidad Hispana
(Hispanic Outreach Project)
?Juntos podemos hacer mas?
(?Together we can achieve more?)
Introduction
According to the 2000 US Census, the Hispanic/Latino population is the fastest
growing population in the US and this growth is reflected in the Columbus
community as well. We recognize the growing diversity of our community and
want to ensure that the services provided by the Columbus Consolidated
Government meet the needs of all our citizens, and that our employees are
prepared to embrace the various ethnic cultures that make up this fine
community.
The Purpose of the Hispanic Outreach Project
The purpose of the Hispanic Outreach Project is to determine how the Columbus
Consolidated Government can better serve the Hispanic population in our
community and to develop an inclusive atmosphere among employees and Hispanic
consumers.
HOP Committee Formed
A formal initiative of the Columbus Consolidated Government?s outreach was a
joint effort between the Columbus Consolidated Government and the Chamber of
Commerce to reach out to Hispanic owned businesses creating the Hispanic
Outreach Business Task Force. The Mission of the task force is to recommend to
Chamber leadership how to use existing programs as well as design, implement
and market new programs for Hispanic business owners and managers to support
and grow their businesses.
HOP has developed an Advisory Council of Hispanic community advocates to share
their knowledge and offer advice regarding the challenges Hispanics/Latinos
face in our community.
The Columbus Consolidated Government?s Internet Website is being translated
into Spanish. HOP developed a partnership with Shaw High School?s Global
Resources Magnet Program to have an intern student work with the City?s IT
Department to translate our website in Spanish.
HOP is pursuing opportunities to provide Spanish language classes to all
interested CCG employees. Employees who have the most contact with the public
will be targeted first.
Specific Service Needs Already Identified and Implemented by Departments
? Columbus Fire/EMS ? Conduct CPR and First Aid Courses in Spanish. Courses
held at Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church where large populations of
Hispanics/Latinos attend.
Critical documents relating to fire prevention and emergency medical care
translated in Spanish. These documents are available to the entire community
and have been distributed in known areas of Hispanic population.
? METRA Transportation ? Bus schedules translated in Spanish and posted in all
METRA buses.
? Government Access Channel ? Certain video presentations aired on the
Government Access Channel are translated in Spanish at the bottom of the
screen. These are presentation videos from the US Department of Education and
Georgia Department of Labor.
? Police Department ? Cultural Diversity Training given to Police Officers
locally and is available through the State Law Enforcement Training Center.
Survival Spanish Language Classes conducted locally at the Police Department
and are available to officers through the State Training Center.
The Police Department maintains and has access to databases both local and
state that gives access to translators.
Recruit qualified applicants who have language and cultural diversity.
Spanish speaking officers are distributed throughout the different shifts and
divisions of the Police Department. They are on call to serve as translators
when needed.
911 has telephone access to translators who can be used in obtaining
information for dispatching public safety services as well as interpreting over
the telephone for officers in the field.
The Police Department actively participates and attends any Hispanic Community
Forums that are conducted in Columbus and participates in state programs such
as Bridging the Gap.
? Sheriff?s Department ? Developed a Spanish Survival Kit; Conduct Spanish
Language classes for Sheriff Deputies.
? GA Cooperative Extension Service ? Completed a Hispanic Needs Assessment 2
years ago. Conducts Spanish to English languages classes for Hispanics
involved in agriculture and landscaping. Hispanics are taught proper tree care
and proper use of herbicides.
Have translated approximately 100 GA Extension Service publications in Spanish.
Conducts presentations on Georgia?s changing culture. Includes a must see
video ?The New Georgians.?
? Human Resources Department ? Culture Diversity Training for all Columbus
Consolidated Government Employees.
? Citizen Service Center ? Telephone access to translators/interpreters who can
be used to obtain information to resolve complaints.
? Parks and Recreation ? A bilingual employee participates in a local Hispanic
Radio program to highlight Parks and Recreation programs and activities.
Flyers will be translated in Spanish to advertise the Summer Lunch Program.
Please see ?Attachment A? regarding Hispanics participation in the Parks and
Recreation Soccer League.
? Tax Commissioner ? Made presentations to the Hispanic Business Outreach
Committee (Chamber of Commerce)
Provided information to Chamber of Commerce to publish Newsletter on Motor
Vehicle tag registration insurance information in English and Spanish.
Created aRegistracion de Vehiculos Advertencia? Motor vehicle registration
flyer in Spanish.
Public Service Announcements on the CCG Government Access Channel are produced
and run in Spanish and English.
Recruit bi-lingual applicants. Current Staff includes two employees who are
bi-lingual in English and Spanish.
Utilizes WHINSEC (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) for
translations/interpretation services.
Utilizes the Internet translation websites to assist in communication with
Spanish speaking customers.