BUILDING BRIDGES
Building bridges with the courts, court users and clients, interpreters, community organizations, and a national network of colleagues.
The 2015 CLAC Conference is a four-day event which convenes language access managers, program managers, and court professionals from across the country for a national forum addressing the most vital issues impacting both our courts and access to justice. The program addresses the diversity of issues involved in managing language access programs, including: access to justice, program enhancement, and professional development. This year, we are pleased to have members of the New Mexico Judiciary presenting remarks at the conference.
This year's conference, themed "Building Bridges,” will help program managers maximize their working relationship with the courts; interpreters; court users; community organizations; and other managers across the country to achieve common goals and ensure access to justice. The program curriculum is specifically designed to address three core goals:
- Increasing efficient and effective working relationships with the courts and key players in the community;
- Supporting interpreter development in order to provide the highest-quality services possible; and
- Enhancing professional development through continuing education on emerging issues.
Because these goals are essential in ensuring access to justice for court users, the curriculum includes a wide range of issues and substantive material. The following sessions and subject areas will be included in the program either as plenary sessions, breakouts, or Express Lessons:
Training Plans for Developing Interpreter Candidates
This session provides an overview of agendas used and key sessions for introducing new interpreters to court interpreting. Participants will be provided with sample agendas and critical topics to be covered. The presenter will include any issues related to the candidate who speaks a rare language.
Using Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for Court Interpreting
This session provides tools, tips learned and standards for providing interpreting services using Video Remote Interpreting.
Training Bilingual Employees to Provide Customer Service Assistance to LEP Customers
This lesson provides sample agendas and curriculum samples used to train bilingual employees. The session discusses how to help bilingual employees access their language skills.
Developing Continuing Education for Court Interpreters/Translators
This express lesson provides an overview of key components of a continuing education program including individualized study plans and resources available.
Preparing Interpreters for the Oral Proficiency Exam
This session presents successful strategies used to assist interpreters in passing the oral exam on the first try.
Oral Exam Exit Survey
This session discusses how using an exit survey can assist program managers in revising training or in preparing interpreters for the oral exam.
Recruiting Strategies
This session discusses how program managers can recruit interpreters in the community.
Working with Contract Interpreters
This session covers the essentials of contract interpreters: What should the court's contract provisions be? What areas of concern should be addressed in the contract: travel, per diem, cancellation, ethical violations, etc.
Additional subjects that possibly will be addressed throughout the conference will include:
- Developing uniform signage and notices for use in multiple states/jurisdictions,
- Rare languages,
- Using resources effectively,
- Continuing education,
- Training in language access issues,
- Test administration fundamentals,
- Mentoring of managers and interpreters,
- Immigration issues, and
- Native American issues.
Tentative Schedule
The conference will kick off on Sunday, May 17, at 3:45 p.m. with an orientation designed for new members and returning members. It will conclude on Wednesday, May 20, with the Test Administration and Proctor Training starting at 1:30 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m.
Our agenda is still a work in progress and times and topics are subject to change.