Resources

The Hispanic Leaders’ Network serves as a hub for Language Access in the Waco-McLennan County community. Interpretation Equipment is available for a low-cost rental rate through HLN. 

The HLN Language Justice Committee is available to provide educational presentations to help entities throughout the Waco-McLennan County community in developing Language Access strategies within their own organization. To request a meeting or presentation with the HLN Language Justice Committee please email hlnwaco@gmail.com.

The Hispanic Leaders’ Network will serve as a hub for language access in the Waco-McLennan county community. As part of this initiative, HLN will launch a translator certification class, which will provide scholarships for 10 individuals who desire to give back to the community by serving as a translator for various community events and meetings. This Community Interpreter course is a 40-hour online class and can be completed anywhere, and at any time as long as it is completed within 180 days.

These other requirements apply:

• 40 hr course work

• 24 online lessons (1.5-2 hrs. each)

• Program includes: 2 e-textbooks, role play videos, video instructor, quizzes & self-assessment exercises, audio & video examples, 90 minute final assessment, and course completion certification

• All content presented in English

• Must pass all 24 lesson exit tests with at least a 70% and pass the final assessment by at least a 75% (3 attempts to pass the final assessment.

• Must take and pass an English and Spanish proficiency test to be eligible for participation.

Benefits to individuals:

• Opportunity to give back to the community and contribute to language access through interpretation services

• Opportunity for own free lance work

• Can set your own rates (suggested range will be provided)

• Possibly receive a pay raise at your job for being a certified interpreter

 The Language Access Toolkit has come together with the thought foremost in mind to provide easy, actionable steps for businesses and organizations to implement that will not only meet the need of the community by increasing access for non-Native English speakers, but to help make your organization more competitive and profitable as well. We are hopeful that by implementing these steps to increase language access, you will be able to increase recruitment and retention rates and expand internally while building productive relationships with employees and customers. We invite you to come on this journey with us as we support local efforts to advance language access throughout McLennan County.