Open Doors for Multicultural Families

2023-24 Award - Systems & Policy Change - $125,000

Funds will be used toward Open Doors for Multicultural Families’ ongoing efforts to support and provide community oversight to the implementation of new language access programs and policies in Washington’s K-12 public school system.

This project, Language Access in Public Schools, is responding to the Community Connections priority area. Language access, in this case, refers to access to high-quality interpreters who are qualified to work in school settings, with an emphasis on special education. While State and Federal laws protect families’ right to language access in federally-funded programs, including schools, the educational system is resistant to change. Washington public schools’ ability to effectively communicate with students and their family members who have language access barriers plays a vital role in reducing educational opportunity gaps.