NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER JEANETTE MOY LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAM TO BREAK DOWN LANGUAGE BARRIERS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

 

First-of-its-Kind Program Empowers Bilingual State Employees to Ensure Equitable Access to Critical Government Services Pilot Provides Assessments and Training to Multilingual Employees from 10 State Agencies New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the launch of the New York State Workforce Interpreter Training Program, a transformative initiative first introduced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024 State of the State. This innovative program leverages the diverse linguistic talents of the state's existing workforce to bridge communication gaps, ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of the language they speak, have equitable access to state resources, benefits, and services in a culturally responsive manner. “Governor Hochul has made it her mission to fundamentally transform how New York State serves its people, prioritizing equity and ensuring that no community is left behind or unable to access beneficial programs,” Commissioner Moy said. “Under her leadership, we are actively modernizing our state’s infrastructure to be more agile, inclusive, and culturally responsive. This program builds on the significant work the Office of Language Access and OGS have done to offer practical mechanisms, resources, and tools for expanding language services.” As the New York State Office of Language Access celebrates its fourth anniversary, the launch of this program marks a significant milestone in Governor Hochul’s broader agenda to modernize state government and center equity in public service. For decades, language barriers have disproportionately impacted immigrant and marginalized communities, complicating access to healthcare, labor rights, and family services. By building an internal infrastructure of assessed and trained interpreters, New York is taking proactive steps to foster public trust, eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, and deliver on the promise of a government that truly serves all its people. More than 5.7 million New Yorkers speak a language other than English at home, and approximately 2.5 million have limited English proficiency (LEP). Under New York's language access law, state agencies providing direct public services must offer interpretation and translate vital documents into the state's 12 most common non-English languages. In its initial pilot, the program focuses on engaging with employees proficient in both Spanish and English, with plans to expand to additional languages in the years to come. Participating employees will undergo language proficiency testing, complete a comprehensive 40-hour, self-paced online training curriculum, and pass an interpreter skills assessment. Upon successful completion, graduates will earn a certificate in community interpreting and the designation of Agency Community Interpreter. This program is being piloted across 10 state agencies, including: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Department of Health New York State Department of Labor New York State Department of Motor Vehicles New York State Division of Human Rights New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports New York State Office of Children and Family Services New York State Office of General Services New York State Office of Mental Health New York State Department of Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission President Timothy R. Hogues said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, state agencies are modernizing the ways we serve and interact with New Yorkers and make government simply work better and more equitably. This is a smart initiative to break down communication barriers that often confront the Empire State’s diverse communities and utilize the knowledge and talents of our dedicated and professional public servant-leaders who are interested in leveraging their language skills.” New York State Office of Language Access Executive Director Alejandro Cintron said, “Language should never prevent a New Yorker from accessing vital government programs. I thank Governor Hochul for her steadfast advocacy, which has been instrumental in expanding this critical work. Through this pilot, we are harnessing the immense skills and expertise of our state’s dedicated Spanish-speaking workforce to advance equity, inclusivity, and public trust.” State agencies and contract users, including nonprofit organizations, can already provide interpretation through the New York State Language Services Contract, managed by OGS. The contract offers access to vetted contractors and negotiated rates for language services, including interpretation, translation, desktop publishing, closed captioning, and subtitling. By having Agency Community Interpreters work alongside existing language services contractors, New York State agencies will be better equipped to provide culturally sensitive, responsive, and welcoming environments for all residents, regardless of their preferred language. About the New York State Office of General Services For 65 years, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) has proudly served as the operational engine of New York State. The agency provides the essential foundation for government to function seamlessly — managing and leasing real property, designing modern facilities, streamlining procurement, and stewarding world-class cultural assets. Through its commitment to efficiency, innovation, and environmental sustainability, OGS handles the complex logistics of government so that its partners can dedicate their full focus to what matters most: advancing their missions to serve the people of New York. Discover how OGS continues to support New York at ogs.ny.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  About the New York State Office of Language Access Hosted within the New York State Office of General Services, the state’s Office of Language Access (OLA) is responsible for supporting state agencies mandated by New York State’s Language Access Law to dismantle language barriers for New Yorkers interacting with their government. Visit languageaccess.ny.gov for more helpful resources and to learn more about your language access rights in New York State.