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through our Partnership with Language Line and through the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council) United States Census Bureau indicates 11.1% of the population of Erie County speaks a language other than English, and 4.3% of riders speak English less than very well. For the population 60 years of age and older, 6.8% speak a language other than English, and 3.7% indicate they speak English less than very well. For the 6.8% population who do not speak English very well, they identified Spanish as the language that would be most requested. Indo- European and Asian and Pacific Island Languages were also identified as languages being used other than English. Factor 2: Frequency | Frequency with which LEP people encounter Erie County Department for the Aging Based on the results of the number or proportion of the LEP population(s), specifically served or could be served by Erie County Department for the Aging transit service, Erie County Department for the Aging we know that less than 5% of the transit service population we serve speak English less than very well. Erie County Department for the Aging will conduct additional assessments at least annually or if a known spike occurs that requires a re-evaluation of the LEP population. Factor 3: Importance | Importance of Erie County Department for the Aging transit services to LEP population The Erie County Department for the Aging’ program and services are critical to the lives of its clients, enabling them to participate as fully as possible in the community, interact and socialize with others, gain skills in daily living and travel to/from work. Factor 4: Resources and Costs | To meet the language assistance needs of the Erie County Department for the Aging LEP population, Erie County Department for the Aging will utilize readily available resources, in addition to other avenues, to not only minimize costs, but to strengthen our partnership with other organizations our clients/riders engage with. Some of those readily available resources may include bilingual staff; the inclusion of Google translate toolbar to our website; access to Language Line when needed; and the County office of community engagement personnel. To supplement these resources, Erie County Department for the Aging has already begun to translate vital documents and utilize community volunteers. After analyzing the Erie County Department for the Aging budget and reviewing available resources, cost associated to meet language assistance needs of the LEP population will be incurred for retaining an interpreter and translating vital documents. Providing Language Assistance Services Erie County Department for the Aging currently meets the language assistance needs of the non-English-speaking population through the services of an interpreter, including Google translate on our website, accessing community organizations that meet the needs of non- English-speaking population, and our multilingual staff. As needed, key documents are translated to Spanish, meeting the threshold for translation of such materials. Informing LEP Populations of the Availability of Language Assistance Language assistance is advertised on our website, on the Title VI notice, through posters in our agency, and through program registration materials, as applicable. Erie County Department 80 | P a g e – E r i e C o u n t y G o i n g P l a c e s P o l i c y a n d P r o c e d u r e