Resources for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Families
Washington's welfare reform program is designed to help low-income families prepare for and go to work, for some families, learning English is the first step. WorkFirst contracts with local community based organizations and non-profits provide specialized services through the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pathway program to help families with limited English skills, learn English while they develop employment skills. The LEP program provides a variety of specialized services to refugees and immigrants with limited English skills to help them be successful in the labor market and move towards self-sufficiency. LEP parents who receive assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program meet their WorkFirst requirements through the LEP Pathway program. All services are provided in a client’s primary language and in culturally appropriate ways.
For more information visit the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pathway Program or contact your local Community Service Office
Information on ESL Classes available through your local Community and Technical College
North Snohomish County LPA - LEP Family Success Story
August 2007 — Binti, Salat and their 3 children arrived in the US as refugees in 2004. They were part of the Somali, Bantu population who came to the US from refugee camps in Africa. Salat and Binti were illiterate in their own language, never having had the opportunity to attend school in their own country, so you can imagine the challenge of learning the English language in addition to the culture shock of moving from rural life in Africa to urban life in America. 
Information on local ESL classes and services provided by community organizations
Social Service Resources
Directory of local service providers who serve families with limited English ability
Other Community Service Providers
WorkSource — A joint venture of organizations dedicated to addressing Washington State's employment needs.
Washington State Child Care Resource and Referral Network — Working through 18 local child care resource and referral programs serving every county in the state, the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network is building momentum for children's success.
Community Action Service Agency Locator — Links to agencies in Washington State.
National Resource Links
The Spring Institute — Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning is a non-profit language and culture training and consulting corporation.
Cultural Orientation Resource Center — The Cultural Orientation Resource (COR) Center provides important orientation resources for refugee newcomers and service providers throughout the United States and overseas.
Refugee Women's Alliance — Is a nonprofit, multi-ethnic organization that promotes inclusion, independence, personal leadership and strong communities by providing refugee and immigrant women and families with culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
New America Media — New America Media is the country’s first and largest national collaboration of ethnic news organizations.
Trends in the Low-Wage Immigrant Labor Force 2000-2005, March 2007 — This brief, from the Urban Institute, examines trends in immigrants’ role in the low-wage and lower-skilled labor force. From 2000 to 2005, the U.S. immigrant population increased from to 35.7 million, and the immigrant labor force increased slightly. However, at the same time, the number of unauthorized immigrants increased to more than 11 million. This increase resulted in the number of immigrants in low-wage, lower-skilled jobs in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and services.
