QUESTION
What are the budget allocations for language services in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and how fully staffed is the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)?
2:41:45
·
3 min
Language service budgets decrease over fiscal years 2024 and 2025, while the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) aims to be fully staffed.
- Fiscal year 2024 is budgeted at $669,000, and fiscal year 2025 is budgeted at $534,000 for language services.
- In fiscal year 2023, the budget was $2,343, with over $1 million allocated for personnel services to hire language specialists.
- The MOIA has expanded its language service staff from 3 to about 20 and is currently hiring for two more positions.
- These positions include a particular focus on Oulu and Haitian Creole language specialists, with a test required to qualify for the job.
Alexa Avilés
2:41:45
In terms of language access.
2:41:50
What's the budget for language services in fiscal 2425?
Manuel Castro
2:41:58
I'll let Jesse also talk about the breakdown of that budget.
2:42:03
But like I said, as Jess looks for the tab, like I said, it's a it's an area we've expanded from 3 staff to roughly 20 staff at this point.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:42:23
For FY 24, for language services and language taxes, specifically, we are budgeted at $669,000 roughly.
2:42:39
And then for FY 25, as of right now, were budgeted for $534,000 roughly.
2:42:53
And again, for FY 25, the funding will probably be updated as we move towards executive budget.
Alexa Avilés
2:43:04
Right.
2:43:07
And in in fiscal do you know what the numbers are for fiscal 23?
Jasniya Sanchez
2:43:14
Give me one sec.
2:43:21
So for FY 23 and we have $2,343.
2:43:30
I just want to sort of clarify that amount because the bulk of that amount which is a little over 1,000,000 actually was moved over to our PS in FY 2024 to be able to hire.
2:43:45
You know, all of those lines.
2:43:46
So I just wanna see, Ian, I just wanna make that note.
Alexa Avilés
2:43:50
Right.
2:43:50
So you're not gonna give me a heart attack when I say 1.3 milligrams.
Ana Galiana
2:43:54
That's just what?
Alexa Avilés
2:43:55
$500,000.
2:43:59
Still, nevertheless, 534,000 given the shortage, right, in the absolute need of interpreters, I mean, across the city.
2:44:11
100% is is not the direction we want the investment to be going in.
2:44:20
So is the the language specialist that Moia has hired?
2:44:25
Are you fully staffed?
2:44:28
At this point?
Manuel Castro
2:44:31
Close to we're still hiring for 2 positions.
2:44:34
And That's true.
2:44:38
And only because the roles need to pass a test that in order to qualify for the for the job.
2:44:47
We're hiring linguists that are community rooted, but nonetheless, they have to pass this test in order to service.
2:44:53
Language access specialist.
Alexa Avilés
2:44:55
So that would be so you have 18 on board, and you have 2 to be
Manuel Castro
2:44:59
It's weird weird.
2:45:00
Process.
2:45:01
We're still in a process hiring on Oulu language access specialist and a Haitian Creole language access specialist.
2:45:08
And again, all agencies have dedicated language access budgets and and staff.
2:45:15
And and this staff in particular is is to serve a for technical assistance and support and to provide interpretation and translation for mayorial offices.
Alexa Avilés
2:45:25
Got it.