Marketing & Client Engagement welcomed nearly a dozen translators and language representatives at HCDE Connects: A Multilingual Network on June 16. The brainchild of Harris County Department of Education’s Translations Coordinator Wendy Utterback, the quarterly meeting strives to identify best practices in interpretation for local districts and organizations and how to establish collaborative processes for all parties. 

Utterback used the presence of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in large, diverse cities nationwide to showcase how they welcomed soccer fans from around the world while providing adequate language access. She highlighted the importance of not only having bilingual volunteers but also creating a place for translators, signs in native languages and talk boxes that offer real-time translations. Attendees participated in exercises that highlighted the importance of having similar representation and services within their businesses or school districts to enhance customer and family experiences.