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Language Assistance Services | Servicios de Asistencia de Idiomas | خدمات المساعدة اللغوية

a woman in a hijab and a black man sitting at a table facing each other wearing headsets and practicing languages while man across table times them

Language Assistance Services | Servicios de Asistencia de Idiomas | خدمات المساعدة اللغوية

Language Assistance Requirements

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one million people in Michigan speak a language other than English, and 35.9% of them have limited English proficiency. To ensure everyone can fully access public services, state departments have created plans to provide language assistance.

The Meaningful Language Access to State Services Act requires state departments to offer language support, such as translation and interpretation, to individuals with limited English proficiency. These services are provided free of charge to those who need them.

The Statewide Meaningful Language Access Coordination Act directs the Office of Global Michigan to oversee department efforts and ensure improvements in language access.

Language Access Complaints

The State of Michigan is committed to ensuring all Michiganders can access state services and are treated with dignity and respect. If you’ve had trouble getting services or believe your rights have been violated, the information below will guide you to the right place to file your complaint.

  • arms and hands of a person at a computer with translated papers in front of them holding a magnifying glass to the paper

    Language Services Complaints

    If you had trouble accessing state services because the help you needed in your language was not provided, you can file a complaint related to language access noncompliance. This includes if a state department or agency did not offer an interpreter or translated documents.

    Language Services Complaints
  • law books stacked on a table with a gavel beside them

    National Origin Discrimination Complaints

    If you believe you were treated unfairly because of your national origin (country of birth, ethnicity or the language you speak), you can file a complaint for discrimination based on national origin with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). This includes discriminatory behavior by a state agency or other organization, such as being harassed, excluded, negatively treated or denied employment, housing or public accommodations.

    National Origin Discrimination Complaints

Language Access Coordinators

Find Language Access Coordinators by agency. 

Department/ Agency Name Email Address Phone
Attorney General (AG) Valerie Schmidt schmidtv@michigan.gov 517-855-0872
Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Chelsea Lewis lewisc31@michigan.gov 517-420-5139
Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) Marie Douville DouvilleM2@michigan.gov 517-992-1845
Natural Resources (DNR) Jenee Clear ClearJ1@michigan.gov 517-898-3610
Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) Ti'Kyra Napoleon napoleont@michigan.gov 517-230-0771
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Katie Lambeth Lambethk@Michigan.gov 517-249-0906
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) L. Peter Clark III clarkp10@michigan.gov 517-285-1121
Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Guadalupe Ayala ayalag@michigan.gov 517-512-5380
Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Olivia Vaden VadenO2@michigan.gov 517-420-5027
Lottery Joseph Merritt MerrittJ1@michigan.gov 517-944-2149
Civil Service Commission (MCSC) Chris Parks ParksC4@michigan.gov 517-243-6946
Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) Ashley Batteen batteena@michigan.gov 517-290-0041
Civil Rights (MDCR) Alfredo Hernandez hernandeza3@michigan.gov 517-249-1731
Education (MDE) Rane Garcia garciar13@michigan.gov 517-245-9332
Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Maria Militzer MilitzerM@michigan.gov 734-209-8894
Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Yesenia Murillo murilloy@michigan.gov 517-582-8908
Corrections (MDOC) Tanisha Black blackt4@michigan.gov 517-388-5449
Department of State (MDOS) Monique James JamesM23@michigan.gov 517-328-8940
Department of State (MDOS) Alex Susalla SusallaA@michigan.gov 517-258-1482
Transportation (MDOT) Orlando Curry Curryo@michigan.gov 517-241-7462
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Laura McGuire mcguirel@michigan.org 517-643-2899
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Keesha Garrett garrettk12@michigan.gov 313-500-9257
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) Robbie Flowers FlowersR5@michigan.gov 313-500-7641
Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MILEAP) Jackie Debusschere Debusscherej1@michigan.gov 517-237-1528
Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MILEAP) Ingmar Pack PackI@michigan.gov 989-824-4737
Public Service Commission (MPSC) Filonna Thomas thomasf5@michigan.gov 517-643-7981
State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Stephanie Oles MSHDA-Language-Access@michigan.gov 517-241-8591
State Police (MSP) Antonio Richardson RichardsonA12@michigan.gov 248-217-1581
Office of Child Advocate (OCA) Amie Miller MillerA19@michigan.gov 517-855-8276
Office of Global Michigan (OGM) Rabah Gabasha gabashar@michigan.gov 810-516-0766
State Budget Office (SBO) Angel Stout stouta2@michigan.gov 517-331-6967
Treasury Andee Bowden Treas-InclusiveAccess@Michigan.gov 517-897-6359
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Fonda Turner- Cavin turnercavinf@michigan.gov 517-241-8301
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) Kate Potter PotterK2@michigan.gov 616-356-0836