Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces new $200,000 American Rescue Plan investment to expand language access services at facilities across the county

Monroe County, New York – In a significant move aimed at breaking down language barriers and ensuring equitable access to essential services, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello has announced a $200,000 investment to expand language accessibility across county facilities. The funding, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will support the purchase and deployment of iPads equipped with the Propio Language Services app. This technology provides immediate, on-demand access to professional interpreters in more than 350 languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).

The newly implemented Language Access iPads are part of Bello’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible government for every Monroe County resident, regardless of the language they speak. These devices will be available at key county offices and service centers, making it significantly easier for individuals who speak languages other than English — or those who communicate through ASL — to engage confidently with local government services.

“In Monroe County, we believe language should never be a barrier for residents to accessing essential services. These new Language Access iPads will help ensure that every resident — no matter what language they speak — can communicate clearly and confidently when engaging with county government,” said County Executive Bello. “From the County Office Building to the Health Department and the Veterans Service Agency, this technology strengthens our commitment to equity, inclusion and better service for all. I’m grateful to our Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for leading this effort, and to Congressman Joe Morelle and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer for securing the federal funding that made this possible.”

The new technology is already in place at various county departments, including the Department of Public Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Human Services (at both the Westfall and St. Paul offices), the Detention Center, Monroe County Veterans Service Agency, Monroe Community Hospital, Office for the Aging, the Public Defender’s Office, Department of Environmental Services, Monroe County Clerk’s Office, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Airport, Law Department’s Office of SSI, Department of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Department of Human Resources.

Residents visiting these locations can simply request a Language Access iPad from any county employee. Within seconds, they will be connected to a live interpreter fluent in the language of their choice. This advancement aims to enhance communication and eliminate confusion or misinterpretation when residents are navigating county services — a critical step in ensuring no one is left behind simply because of a language barrier.

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Monroe County’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by its federal partners, who played a crucial role in securing the funds through ARPA. Congressman Joe Morelle emphasized the importance of these steps toward creating a truly inclusive community.

“Monroe County is proud to be home to a vibrant tapestry of cultures, traditions, and peoples—and we must take steps to ensure everyone has an equality opportunity to thrive,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to my friend County Executive Bello for continuing to utilize federal dollars to make our shared vision of a more inclusive community a reality. I look forward to continuing our work together.”

Similarly, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer praised the county’s use of federal resources to promote accessibility and inclusivity in government services.

“I’m proud to deliver federal funding that helps break down language barriers and make Monroe County services more accessible and efficient for everyone,” said U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “I commend County Executive Bello for using these American Rescue Plan dollars to build a more inclusive, professional and effective local government service delivery system for all Monroe County residents.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also highlighted the critical role of language access in achieving true equity across communities.

“Accessing county-wide facilities and services is a human right that should be equally given to everyone in New York State, and expanded language access is critical to achieving that goal. I am grateful that the ARPA funds I secured in Congress will allow the use of Language Access iPads equipped to help lessen the burden of any language barrier. Language access is essential for the equity and prosperity of all residents of Monroe County. I commend County Executive Bello’s $200,000 ARPA investment and cannot wait to see the benefits language access will bring to Monroe County,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The rollout of these devices reflects a deeper, county-wide strategy focused on fostering diversity, inclusion, and fairness in public service. Monroe County Clerk Jamie Romeo underscored how this investment directly impacts day-to-day operations, especially in departments like the DMV and Clerk’s Office where clear communication is essential for delivering services.

“As public servants, our mission is to ensure that every person who calls Monroe County home — no matter their language, background or country of origin — has equal access to the services they need. This investment in language accessibility is a vital step toward making our DMVs and Clerk’s Office truly equitable, welcoming and accessible to all,” said Monroe County Clerk Jamie Romeo. “I am deeply grateful to County Executive Bello and the County Legislature for prioritizing this funding and recognizing the importance of delivering exceptional customer service to everyone in our community. I also want to thank our federal delegation for the transformational support they continue to bring to Monroe County.”

According to Monroe County’s Language Access Compliance Coordinator, Jesus Paesch, providing meaningful access to services is not just beneficial — it is necessary for the safety and well-being of residents from all walks of life.

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“Monroe County is home to one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse populations in New York State. When we provide meaningful language access, we serve thousands of residents, including American citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing, and communicate using American Sign Language,” said Monroe County Language Access Compliance Coordinator, Jesus Paesch. “Language Access is essential in Monroe County; it promotes safety and facilitates that every member of our community, regardless of how they communicate, can access the services they need to prosper in a county as beautifully diverse as Monroe County.”

County leaders also view this initiative as a bold affirmation of Monroe County’s values. Yversha Román, President of the Monroe County Legislature, highlighted how this program aligns with legislative goals to promote inclusion and equity across local government.

“When every resident—whether they speak Spanish, ASL, Somali, or Nepali—can walk into a county office and be heard in their own language, we turn government from a barrier into a bridge,” said Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román. “When I sponsored the legislation that established Monroe County’s first Language Access Coordinator, I envisioned exactly this kind of progress. Today’s investment proves that language equity is a priority, not an afterthought. This is more than new technology—it’s a declaration that our county values equity, inclusion, and the dignity of every resident. I’m proud to support this step forward in making government truly accessible to all.”

Majority Leader Michael Yudelson echoed these sentiments, adding that this initiative represents a practical and thoughtful use of ARPA funds to enhance quality of life and strengthen community bonds across Monroe County.

“It is important we ensure Monroe County is able to provide necessary services to all our residents, regardless of which language they speak,” said Majority Leader Michael Yudelson. “The American Rescue Plan Act was passed with the intention of creating stronger communities, I am grateful to our Federal Delegation for making these dollars possible. The investment in language access by County Executive Adam Bello, across County Facilities, is a practical and necessary step in improving equity and inclusivity in our community.”

As Monroe County continues to expand these services, county employees will receive training to ensure they are well-prepared to assist residents in using the technology confidently. This step will help eliminate any additional barriers, ensuring that everyone — regardless of language — feels welcomed, respected, and fully served by their local government.

Ultimately, this investment is about more than just technology. It represents a commitment to dismantling the invisible walls that can often isolate individuals who don’t speak English fluently. For Monroe County, this is a clear and deliberate stride toward making sure that no resident is left behind.