Language Access Plan
The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (“MassDevelopment”) Language Access Plan responds to the recognition by the Commonwealth Office of Access and Opportunity that language for non-English speakers and limited English proficient (“LEP”) individuals may pose a barrier to accessing important services or understanding other important information provided by MassDevelopment. Accordingly, the MassDevelopment Language Access Plan addresses the components of the Language Access Policy Implementation Guidelines, August 1, 2010 (the “Guidelines”) below.
Language Access Coordinator
As provided by Section IV(b)(1) of the Guidelines, MassDevelopment has designated Amanda Wall as its Language Access Coordinator.
Needs Assessment
The Guidelines require that each agency conduct a needs assessment addressing certain minimal actions. See Guidelines, Section IV(b)(2). As required by the Guidelines, MassDevelopment conducted a needs assessment of its agency based on the programs MassDevelopment administers. As required by the Guidelines, MassDevelopment’s assessment: (1) identifies the various services provided by the programs under MassDevelopment jurisdiction; (2) identifies the make-up of the population that is served by each MassDevelopment program; (3) identifies points of contact between MassDevelopment and the public and all potential language or language related barriers to MassDevelopment services; and (4) identifies existing staff who are able to deliver services in a language other than English.
I. Identify the various services provided by the programs under MassDevelopment jurisdiction.
MassDevelopment is the Commonwealth’s economic development and finance authority. MassDevelopment is committed to achieving three goals: stimulating business, driving economic growth, and helping communities thrive across Massachusetts. MassDevelopment’s work in finance and development impacts many facets of the Massachusetts economy in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Priorities include providing low-cost and creative financing options for a range of organizations, sustainably redeveloping surplus properties, transforming the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities, and promoting the Massachusetts manufacturing and defense sectors. MassDevelopment primarily interacts with municipal officials and employees and representatives of the for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations that seek its assistance.
Finance Programs
The Investment Banking group at MassDevelopment issues tax-exempt and taxable bonds on behalf of manufacturers, non-profits, affordable rental housing developments, for certain Commonwealth infrastructure financing programs and the PACE energy efficiency program. Tax credits for low income housing can accompany bond financings.
The Lending Department offers loans and loan guarantees to small businesses, non-profits, real estate development projects, emerging technology companies, exporters, charter schools.
The Community Development Department oversees grants to non-profit cultural facilities, community health centers, and municipalities and certain non-profits for Brownfields cleanup.
The Manufacturing Futures Program offers Innovation Grants to Massachusetts manufacturers, as well as grants to organizations that encourage training in manufacturing fields.
The New Markets Tax Credit Program offers federal tax credits to certain projects situated in low income census tracts.
Real Estate
MassDevelopment is responsible for the development of the community at the former Fort Devens into a sustainable and diverse mixed use community. It provides municipal functions for Devens.
In pursuit of its economic development mission, MassDevelopment purchases and redevelops properties across the Commonwealth, including Commonwealth surplus properties.
The Real Estate group provides technical assistance to communities across Massachusetts in assessing economic development projects.
The Real Estate group runs the Commonwealth Places program through which public or nonprofit sponsors can propose a community driven project that revitalizes downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. The program aims to engage and mobilize community members through crowdfunding.
The Transformative Development Initiative at MassDevelopment provides technical assistance to Gateway Cities, a fellows program through which a MassDevelopment employee works in a chosen Gateway district, and an equity investment program for such districts.
II. Identify the make-up of the population that is served by the agency with respect to those programs/functions.
MassDevelopment does not currently have internal data relative to the language needs of recipients of its various services. Many of our programs involve involvement with municipalities, non-profits and for-profit businesses. MassDevelopment does not run programs that directly assist individuals for their personal needs. MassDevelopment staff can encounter LEP individuals in connection with our loan programs that assist small businesses, our efforts in Transformative Development districts and our municipal role at Devens.
MassDevelopment staff will be trained to be aware of the need for language assistance and be equipped to offer language assistance. MassDevelopment’s Language Access Coordinator will track requests for assistance so that MassDevelopment may acquire better data on any language needs of its clients and can update its Language Access Plan accordingly.
In the absence of such data, as set forth in the Commonwealth Guidelines, MassDevelopment will use U.S. Census data as a starting point for assessment of language needs. This data indicates that Spanish should be a language of priority for MassDevelopment.
The attached table illustrates the Massachusetts LEP population as a percentage of total State population for the most frequent spoken languages based on the 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5 year estimates:
Massachusetts is a highly diverse state in which numerous LEP households reside. According to data from the U.S. Census, American Community Survey 5 year estimate, (2007-2011), 21.38% of all residents over the age of five speak a language other than English, and of those residents, 3.39% speak English “not well” or “not at all.”
According to U.S. Census Data, the most frequently spoken languages among the LEP population in the Commonwealth are Spanish, French Creole, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Mon-Khmer (Cambodian), and Vietnamese.
III. Identify all points of contact between the agency and the public and all potential language or language-related barriers to services and programs.
Points of Contact
MassDevelopment Offices
99 High Street, Floor 11
Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-330-2000
Fax: 617-330-2001
33 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
Phone: 978-784-2900
99 South Main Street, Suite 230
Fall River, MA 02721
Phone: 508-678-0533
Fax: 508-678-3761
Gloucester State Fish Pier
2 State Fish Pier
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: 978-283-1938
Fax: 978-282-0397
Joint Base Cape Cod
2816 Richardson Road
Buzzards Bay, MA 02542
Phone: 508-563-2785
Fax: 508-563-2786
370 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: 978-459-6100
Fax: 978-459-1888
1350 Main Street, Suite 1110
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: 413-731-8848
Fax: 413-755-1349
427 Main Street, Floor 2
Worcester, MA 01604
Phone: 508-363-2799
Fax: 508-363-2976
MassDevelopment Websites
MassDevelopment.com
DevensCommunity.com
DevensBusiness.com
VillageHillNorthampton.com
For a discussion of the language related barriers to programs please see Section II above.
IV. Identify existing staff who are able to deliver services in a language other than English.
MassDevelopment’s priority will be to have professional interpreters and translators. If we receive a request for language assistance, and have the time to access outside resources to assist with such a request, we will do so. We do not expect our language access needs to be so extensive that fiscal constraints will limit our ability to procure such assistance.
Language Service Protocols and Services
MassDevelopment will inquire about foreign language fluency in its hiring process and Human Resources will document what language skills employees possess so that this policy can be updated with such information. Resume screening committees will be informed that qualified job applicants who are bi or multi-lingual possess an important skill that MassDevelopment seeks.
MassDevelopment will use Commonwealth Contract PRF 63 to procure interpretation services as may be requested for any of its programs at no charge to the requesters. MassDevelopment has included notice in appropriate sections of its website that such language access is available.
MassDevelopment will use Commonwealth Contract PRF 63 to translate upon request its written materials into the different languages spoken by non-English speakers and the seeing impaired to whom it provides services — including translation of its website content when such access is requested. MassDevelopment has incorporated a language translator application on its website.
Training
MassDevelopment will train its staff on the requirements and implementation of the Language Access Plan in conjunction with its Diversity Committee meetings.
MassDevelopment will also develop training materials on language access for LEP persons. These materials would also be provided to newly hired staff as part of the orientation process.
Notice
MassDevelopment will notify the public of the availability of language access services by publication of the availability of such language access on its website. MassDevelopment will include notification of language access services by posting notices in each of its six offices located in Boston, Springfield, Lawrence, Fall River, Worcester and Devens. As discussed above, MassDevelopment will train staff to be knowledgeable about our ability to provide language access and to refer anyone who requests such access to Amanda Wall, MassDevelopment, 99 High Street, Floor 11, Boston, MA 02110, awall@massdevelopment.com, 617-330-2000, who will coordinate the provision of interpreters and access to translated materials when needed.
Monitoring
Section IV(k) of the Guidelines requires that the agency’s plan include a system to periodically monitor the agency’s compliance with the Commonwealth’s Language Access Policy and Guidelines, as well as the need for any changes in the agency’s language access plan and protocol. MassDevelopment proposes to monitor compliance with the Language Access Plan on an annual basis by review at the President and CEO’s weekly meeting with his/her direct reports and hear or suggest changes at that time.
Complaints
In the event a person wishes to file a complaint regarding an alleged violation of the MassDevelopment plan, he or she should file such complaint with the MassDevelopment Language Access Coordinator, Amanda Wall, who may be reached at MassDevelopment, 99 High Street, Floor 11, Boston MA 02110, email awall@massdevelopment.com or, by telephone, at 617-330-2000.