Signage and Technology Grants

This grant program supports courts with the expansion of multilingual signage and technology initiatives to increase language access to limited English proficient (LEP) court users. 

Commitment to Language Access

The Budget Act of 2018 includes ongoing funding of $1 million per year for language access signage and $1.35 million per year for language access technology infrastructure support and equipment needs. For more information, please see the 2023 Signage and Technology Grants Fact Sheet.

Court Highlight

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Clerk's window at an Alameda County Courthouse

Superior Court of California, County of Alameda

Alameda Superior Court's signage and technology initiatives were supported by Cycle 1 grant funding. The court's projects included: 600 new and upgraded wayfinding and regulatory signs throughout all courthouses, modified court infrastructure to accommodate telephonic interpretation for all court locations, and wireless equipment for simultaneous interpretation.

Signage Before and After a Redesign

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Alameda Sign Before a redesign

Before

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Alameda Sign after a redesign

After

Grant Year Updates

Cycle 1, Fiscal Year 2019–20

The Judicial Council approved language access grants for trial court signage and technology for 29 trial courts to improve services and better assist court users with limited English proficiency. The council took the action via circulating order, as the grants were originally submitted for consideration at the March 24 council meeting that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cycle 2, Fiscal Year 2020–21

The Judicial Council approved language access grants for trial court signage and technology for 23 trial courts to improve services and better assist court users with limited English proficiency. The council also approved the signage and technology contingency funding allocation at its March 12 meeting.

Cycle 3, Fiscal Year 2021–22

The Judicial Council approved language access grants for trial court signage and technology for 22 trial courts to improve services and better assist court users with limited English proficiency. In this cycle, the maximum application amounts for both signage and technology categories were increased to encourage larger requests for funding, and the grant priorities were updated to expand the types of eligible projects

Cycle 4, Fiscal Year 2022–23

The Judicial Council approved language access grants for trial court signage and technology for 26 trial courts to improve services and better assist court users with limited English proficiency. In this cycle, courts were able to submit project proposals for funding consideration from multiple grant funds in one submission process.

Cycle 5, Fiscal Year 2023–24

The Judicial Council approved language access grants for trial court signage and technology for 17 trial courts to improve services and better assist court users with limited English proficiency. As in previous cycle, courts were able to submit project proposals for funding consideration from multiple grant funds in one submission process. All funding from Cycle 5, under the $2.35 million annual allocation, was distributed to courts.

Cycle 6, Fiscal Year 2024-25

The Language Access Signage and Technology Grants, Cycle 6 (FY 2024-25) launched on March 12, 2024, for trial courts to apply for signage and technology initiatives funding. Applications are due close of business on April 2, 2024.

Contact

For more information, please contact LAP@jud.ca.gov.