About the Committee

Members of the Language Access Oversight Committee pose for a photo

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Office (MIMA) oversees the city's Language Access Program and works to ensure that agencies can serve limited English proficient (LEP) constituents in multiple languages. Since 2018, MIMA has provided city agencies intensive technical assistance to develop a Language Access implementation strategy tailored to their needs. 

To ensure that the needs of LEP constituents are addressed, MIMA created the Language Access Oversight Committee. The committee's mission is to provide accountability and oversight for the implementation of the city's Language Access Program.

Required Commitment:

  • Meetings take place on a quarterly basis, either in person or virtually. In addition, members may be required to attend one or two in-person events or functions.
  • Members are expected to commit for a minimum of two years to serve on the Committee. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

The responsibilities of the Language Access Oversight Committee will be primarily advisory: they are neither administrative, legal, nor policymaking in nature. The principal roles of the committee include: 

  • Advise: The committee will review language access policies and plans proposed by MIMA and provide guidance as necessary. The committee will also advise on strategies of how MIMA and city agencies can be more accountable as they implement and expand language access across Baltimore City government.
  • Assist: The committee will help MIMA carry out specific activities related to language access, such as promoting information about language access initiatives through their community networks.
  • Advocate: Committee members will serve as advocates for language access policies and service procedures to counter potential biases based on culture, language, and ethnicity. MIMA will either respond directly or refer members toward appropriate avenues for feedback (e.g., the Office of Civil Rights).

Qualifications: 

  • Have experience or be interested in language access advocacy for LEP communities
  • Be able to commit time and energy to committee meetings
  • Demonstrated leadership in the community
  • Working or living in Baltimore City
  • Bilingual skills not required but highly preferred

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Language Access Oversight Committee, please email our Language Access team at language.access@baltimorecity.gov.