L&I's Office of Community Relations works diligently to ensure all customers, including those of diverse backgrounds, have meaningful access to L&I services and benefits. This includes serving our customers in their language of preference.
If you've requested and have not received services in your preferred language by an L&I employee or provider, you can file a Civil Rights Complaint.
Please note: L&I is not associated with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. We do not share any information with law enforcement authorities.
Our Community Relations Outreach Team is constantly exploring opportunities to engage with the community and improve our customers' experience regardless of their preferred language.
Some of these efforts include:
- Visiting farms, attending community events, working with community organizations, advocates, churches, employers, and medical services to increase awareness of L&I services.
- Researching ways to reach all limited English proficient (LEP) communities to provide meaningful access to L&I resources.
- Gathering customer feedback to improve policies and educational materials for all L&I customers.
- Networking with internal and external partners to cultivate relationships.
Please reach out to our outreach staff in your region to collaborate at your community events or for help navigating through L&I's resources and services.
Northwest Washington
- Counties: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King
- Contact: Carmen Rivera
- Phone: 360-333-0362
- Email: Carmen.Rivera@Lni.wa.gov
- Languages: English, Spanish*
Southwest Washington
- Counties: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pacific, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat
- Contact: Rudy Mondaca
- Phone: 360-742-2974
- Email: Rodolfo.Mondaca@Lni.wa.gov
- Languages: English, Spanish*
Northeast Washington
- Counties: Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, Grant, Douglas, Chelan
- Contact: Alma Castillo
- Phone: 509-881-1504
- Email: Alma.Castillo@Lni.wa.gov
- Languages: English, Spanish*
Southeast Washington
- Counties: Kittitas, Yakima, Adams, Whitman, Franklin, Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin
- Contact: Susana Rodriguez
- Phone: 509-440-3792
- Email: Susana.Rodriguez@Lni.wa.gov
- Languages: English, Spanish*
*We can provide interpretation services in your language of preference at no cost to you.
There are 29 federally recognized tribes located throughout Washington. L&I’s Tribal Liaison and staff work to address specific issues or concerns raised by tribal representatives and facilitate communication to address these issues.
L&I’s Tribal Interactions Policy 2.14 outlines the responsibilities of L&I's Tribal Liaison. Some of these duties include:
- Coordinating government-to-government consultation between L&I and tribes.
- Assisting in the development and implementation of practices and procedures that promote effective communication and collaboration between L&I and tribal governments.
- Serve as chair and convene meetings of the L&I Tribal Advisory Committee.
- Submit an annual report to the governor on L&I activities involving Washington’s Native American tribes and on implementation of RCW 43.376.
- Coordinate government-to-government training for L&I employees.
For questions regarding L&I’s interaction with tribal representatives, contact:
Uriel Iñiguez
L&I Community Relations Director & Tribal Liaison
Email: TribalLiaison@Lni.wa.gov
Phone: 360-902-5411
Related Resources
Community relations
Tribal interactions
- Governor's Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) FAQ
- Federal Register: Washington State Plan; Approval of Plan Supplement; Level of Federal Enforcement (Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA))
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Tribal Programs
- Fire retardant kills fish. Is it worth the risk? — High Country News — Know the West (hcn.org)
- 2023 Northwest Tribal Clean Energy Summit — ATNI Climate Change (atnitribes.org)
- Government-to-government relationships — State agency duties (RCW 43.376.020)
- State agency tribal liaison (RCW 43.376.030)
- Training requirement (RCW 43.376.040)