New Mexico Justice System Interpreter Resource Partnership
Language Access Specialist Certification
Training and Scholarship Opportunities
for Bilingual Employees of the NM Judiciary
Training Sessions beginning in January, March, and April 2012
Language Access Specialist training and certification is a program of the New Mexico Center for Language Access (NMCLA).
NMCLA is a collaborative project of the New Mexico Judiciary and the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos.
The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts and the Judicial Education Center are making up to 40 full and 10
partial scholarships available in FY12 for bilingual employees of the NM Judiciary to participate in the Language
Access Specialist certification training.
As a result of this training, a court employee will have a strong ethical and professional foundation that will enable them
to use their bilingual abilities to enhance language access within their court. Certified Language Access Specialists may also
be eligible for a $1.00 an hour salary increase.
Who is eligible for these scholarships?
Current employees in good standing of the New Mexico Judiciary who are bilingual and approved for admission to the Language
Access Certification Program offered by NMCLA according to NMCLA's standard screening criteria.
What is the scholarship application process?
Complete NMCLA application process by November 30, 2011.
Complete NMCLA interview and be approved for admission by December 23, 2011.
Upon approval for admission, complete and submit scholarship application to the AOC on or before January 13, 2011.
Scholarship applicants will receive notification of scholarship award or denial by January 23, 2012.
What are the obligations of the scholarship recipient?
If you are awarded a scholarship you must be willing and allowed to accept assignments, which require you to use your bilingual abilities, even if these assignments are outside of your regularly assigned work duties.
You must participate in a minimum of two continuing education training sessions offered by AOC during each 12 month period following your certification.
How will the scholarship awards be determined?
The Scholarship Committee is comprised of Arthur Pepin, AOC Director or his designee; Karen Janes,
Director of the Magistrate Court Division or her designee; Weldon Neff, Chair of the NM Court Interpreter Advisory Committee
and CEO of the Eleventh Judicial District Court; and Pamela Sanchez, Statewide Program Manager of Court Interpreter & Jury Services.
Criteria for making scholarship awards will include, but not be limited to:
Written statements of recommendation from the immediate supervisor and court executive officer or chief clerk,
which also describe how the employee's certification will benefit the court's language access efforts. If you have or are developing
your court's language access plan please include specifics regarding why this employee was selected, what related duties you envision
the employee fulfilling as a result of the training, how this certified language access specialist will complement your language access plan.
Language access needs in the court or service area where the applicant is employed.
Number of currently certified Language Access Specialists at the court (will be considered in tandem with the demographics of the
community - #3 and the court's language access plan #1).
Recommendation of NMCLA regarding applicant's language skills.
How will the funds be paid?
Funds will be paid directly by AOC or JEC to the University of New Mexico when the scholarship awardee registers for NMCLA classes.
Funds will not be provided directly to the recipient.
About the Program & Scholarships
Download application form
* previously called Bilingual Communication
tuition information
financial aid
scholarships for nm court employees
jec scholarships for nm municipal court employees
