Appendix H Language and Cultural Proficiency Plan RFP-SSA-FY26-0522 Community Living Connection.doc

This is a Language and Cultural Proficiency Plan appendix for the Community Living Connection RFP (RFP-SSA-FY26-0522) issued by the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency's Department of Aging and Adult Services. The RFP seeks qualified vendors to provide case management and related services enabling high-risk older and disabled adults to maintain independent living within Santa Clara County. The contract award structure allows for either a single or multiple awards, with an initial term of one year and the option for the County to renew for up to four additional years, unless terminated earlier or otherwise modified.

Appendix H requires vendors to document their agency's capacity to serve the County's clients through linguistic competencies and culturally appropriate services. Vendors must identify staff proficiencies across specified languages including Amharic, Bosnian, Cambodian, Cantonese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Farsi, Hindi/Urdu/Punjabi, Iranian, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, noting whether such competencies are included in staffing qualifications or explained separately. Additionally, vendors must provide a narrative explanation of their plan to accommodate individuals with limited English proficiency, detail any barriers faced in language-specific competencies, and describe alternative arrangements if certain language competencies are not incorporated into the agency's work plan.