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.
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.
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.
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.
Each State of Michigan department has a designated Language Access Coordinator responsible for overseeing language access services within their respective agencies.
For questions about language access for all state government departments, you can email SOM-Language-Access@michigan.gov, call 517-335-1181, or send mail to Elliott-Larsen Building, 320 S. Walnut St. 6th Floor, Lansing, MI 48933.
If you have questions about language access for a department or agency, please check the list below. Find the name of the department, and contact the Language Access Coordinator listed.
|
Department/ Agency |
Name |
Email Address |
Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Attorney General (AG) |
Koula Black |
517-335-7626 |
|
|
Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) |
Chelsea Lewis |
517-420-5139 |
|
|
Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) |
No Contact Available |
No Contact Available |
No Contact Available |
|
Natural Resources (DNR) |
Robyn Afrik |
517-243-5232 |
|
|
Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) |
Ti'Kyra Napoleon |
517-230-0771 |
|
|
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) |
Katie Lambeth |
517-249-0906 |
|
|
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) |
L. Peter Clark III |
517-285-1121 |
|
|
Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) |
Guadalupe Ayala |
517-512-5380 |
|
|
Lottery |
No Contact Available |
No Contact Available |
No Contact Available |
|
Civil Service Commission (MCSC) |
Kurt Weiss |
517-243-3139 |
|
|
Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) |
Ashley Batteen |
517-290-0041 |
|
|
Civil Rights (MDCR) |
Alfredo Hernandez |
517-249-1731 |
|
|
Education (MDE) |
Rane Garcia |
517-245-9332 |
|
|
Health and Human Services (MDHHS) |
Alicia Edwards |
313-236-0337 |
|
|
Health and Human Services (MDHHS) |
Yesenia Murillo |
517-582-8908 |
|
|
Corrections (MDOC) |
Tanisha Black |
517-388-5449 |
|
|
Department of State (MDOS) |
Monique James |
517-328-8940 |
|
|
Department of State (MDOS) |
Alex Susalla |
517-258-1482 |
|
|
Transportation (MDOT) |
Orlando Curry |
517-241-7462 |
|
|
Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) |
Odessa Carson |
517-897-1633 |
|
|
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
Keesha Garrett |
||
|
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
Jessica White |
313-456-1323 |
|
|
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
Melissa Hamp |
517-241-0174 |
|
|
Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
Kimberly Todd |
313-456-4101 |
|
|
Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MILEAP) |
Laura Hall |
517-290-3779 |
|
|
Public Service Commission (MPSC) |
Filonna Thomas |
517-643-7981 |
|
|
State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) |
Stephanie Oles |
517-241-8591 |
|
|
State Police (MSP) |
Sarah Krebs |
313-215-0675 |
|
|
Office of Child Advocate (OCA) |
Amie Miller |
517-855-8276 |
|
|
Office of Global Michigan (OGM) |
Rabah Gabasha |
810-516-0766 |
|
|
State Budget Office (SBO) |
Angel Stout |
517-331-6967 |
|
|
Treasury |
Ashley Kuykendoll |
517-290-5301 |
|
|
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) |
Fonda Turner- Cavin |
517-241-8301 |
|
|
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) |
Kate Potter |
616-356-0836 |
