Unemployment Language Opportunity Program

Program Type: Competitive grants administered by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation

The California Employment Development Department, in partnership with The Center, awarded a total of $2 million to 11 community-based organizations throughout the state to help limited-English-speaking communities and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to better access unemployment insurance and other Employment Development Department services and benefits.

Geographic Scope: California (statewide)

Background

California is home to more than 4.5 million limited-English-speaking adults, representing nearly one in five working-age adults in the state — the highest proportion in the nation. Many limited-English-speaking communities struggle to access unemployment insurance, a challenge that was exposed and amplified by the pandemic. The program was supported by a California Employment Development Department state budget appropriation and legislation enacted in 2021.

Program Focus

• Education and outreach to communities of focus
• Building on critical services provided by community-based organizations
• Reaching limited-English-speaking adult Californians through trusted messengers with deep roots in their communities
• Supporting access to unemployment insurance and other services and benefits

Funded Community Partners

• Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Inc.
• Center for Workers' Rights
• Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño
• Chinese Progressive Association
• Jakara Movement
• Korean American Federation of Los Angeles
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
• Mixteco Indigenous Organizing Project
• NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Step Forward Foundation
• The Cambodian Family

Contact Information

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation

• Address: 1321 Garden Highway Suite 210, Sacramento, California 95833
• Phone: (916) 993-7701
• Email: impact@shfcenter.org