NBRC Language Access & Cultural Competency (LACC) FY 2025–2026 Plan
The LACC program is an annual initiative that follows the April 2022 directive “Funding to Improve Language Access and Cultural Competency.” North Bay Regional Center’s efforts to ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) and their families can access services in ways that are culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate.
Guided by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Language Access Directive and statewide LACC requirements, the goal is to eliminate communication barriers, reduce disparities, and support equitable participation for all communities served.
NBRC’s catchment area—Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties—includes over 13,000 clients and families representing diverse cultures and languages, including American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. To support these individuals, NBRC targets 3 low-frequency languages: Spanish, Tagalog and American Sign Language (ASL).
Funding and Guidelines
DDS provides LACC funds, which must be used exclusively for language access and cultural competency activities. Allowable expenses include translation and interpretation, outreach, training, event support, community partnerships, development of multilingual resources, and staffing directly tied to LACC implementation. Prohibited expenses include entertainment, giveaways, and travel outside of the state. NBRC tracks all expenditures in GrantVantage and follows DDS budget and reporting guidelines.
For FY 2025–2026, NBRC’s total LACC allocation is $492,745.00 consisting of $227,178.00 for personnel expenses, $265,567.00 for operating expenses, and $0 for administrative/indirect costs.
Main Activities Planned for FY 2025–2026
North Bay Regional Center LACC-related activities include expanding outreach to underserved communities, hosting ASL focus groups, computer training classes, wellness woskshop, Spanish speaking leadership academy, creating infographics, initiating parent mentor program, and developing a support circle for newly eligible families, strengthening partnerships that address cultural and linguistic needs. See the section below, “How LACC Funds Are Used,” for a summary of activities.
How NBRC Determines LACC Activities
NBRC’s annual plan is based on direct input from clients, families, and the community. Information is collected through outreach events, in-person meetings, multilingual surveys, POS (Purchase of Service) data, listening sessions, and feedback from staff. This approach ensures that planned activities align with real needs identified throughout the year.
How LACC Funds Are Used
NBRC invests in multiple strategies to expand access:
- Focus Groups for the Deaf+ Community to Increase Access to NBRC’s Services: NBRC’s deaf and hard of hearing resource developer will host focus groups to hear what current barriers the Deaf+ community is facing in accessing NBRC services.
- Interpretation and Translation: Providing communication access for all targeted low-frequency languages across meetings, events, and public information and marketing materials, via interpretation and translation services, to enhance access to information and services.
- Community Events: Hosting quarterly resource fairs such as the Winter Resource Fair, Spring Resource Fair, You Belong! Summer Resource Fair and Fall Resource Fair. NBRC will also attend various community events to increase access to information about NBRC services.
- Digital Accessibility: Providing Spanish speaking caregivers technology training to increase access to information about NBRC services while also addressing the digital divide within our community.
- Increased Communication: Utilizing a digital platform to send mass text messages in English and Spanish to provide reminders of upcoming LACC programming.
- Wellness Workshops: Contract with Botanical Bus to conduct self-care workshop series and provide access to Regional Center information for Spanish speaking caregivers.
- Leadership Academy: Partner with Alift LLC to host workshops related to self-advocacy and Regional Center system navigation for Spanish speaking consumers and families.
- Staffing: Funding key LACC-related positions, including the Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist and Generic Resource Specialist supporting the implementation of LACC activities.
Through this comprehensive approach, NBRC aims to strengthen equity, address longstanding service disparities and communication barriers for individuals with I/DDs, their caregivers, and family members. By creating resources and fostering community partnerships, NBRC aims to ensure that all individuals and families in its diverse region have meaningful access to information, culturally appropriate resources, and services.
You can view the full LACC plan using the link below:
Additional Links:
DDS LACC Directive funding: Funding to Improve Language Access and Cultural Competency
DDS LACC Page: Language Access and Cultural Competency : CA Department of Developmental Services
