Grace Almeida has been providing interpretive-language services in Canyon County for more than 23 years. In her role as the Language Access Coordinator and County Interpreter for the past seven years, she has experienced significant changes in linguistic demographics and has been instrumental in implementing innovative technology solutions during the pandemic.

Grace began her journey with the County as a part-time contractor and has since become a full-time fixture for the Court Clerk’s Office more than seven years. She brings with her a unique academic background that combines medical and legal studies, supplemented by ongoing continuing education. Despite her modesty, her expertise is truly remarkable.

Canyon County has become a melting pot of cultures and languages under her watch. Originally, the majority of requests were for Mexican dialects, but now, she handles a broader spectrum, including South American, Russian, Ukrainian, and various African dialects. This year alone she has seen about 33 different dialects and languages that have needed some form of interpretation services. Grace highlights the importance of cultural fluency, emphasizing that misinterpretations can significantly impact trust, especially in a legal setting or court proceedings.

A large part of Grace’s role involves managing a roster of interpreters, including contracted ones to save taxpayer dollars. She’s seen the number of interpreted events grow from 3,441 in FY21 to 4,923 in FY23, reflecting the county’s increasing diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges but also led to the discovery of Zoom’s Simultaneous Interpretation Function (SIF). This feature has been a game-changer, allowing interpreters to provide real-time language services, which saves time and reduces the burden on interpreters.

Grace’s passion for her work goes beyond just interpretation and translation. She’s all about bridging cultural and linguistic gaps to ensure everyone fully understands the U.S. legal process. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. As Jess Urresti, Director of Court Operations, puts it, “When she goes on vacation, it takes two of us to do about 10% of what Grace does daily.”

“Grace stands out as an exceptional employee who exemplifies the essence of civil service. Her unwavering commitment to her colleagues, the public, and the Language Access program is unparalleled. Canyon County is truly fortunate to have her,” Jess added.

Grace’s legacy is one of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to public service. She continues to embody the Board of County Commissioners’ values of Transparency, Respect, Unify, Service and Teamwork. As she looks ahead, she remains dedicated to her mantra: Building TRUST through interpretations/translations and being a positive influence in our community.

Grace Almeida is our Language Access Coordinator and County Interpreter. For the past 7 years (23 years total) has worked in our Court Clerk’s office bridging cultures and languages in our courts and community!

Grace Almeida is our Language Access Coordinator and County Interpreter. For the past 7 years (23 years total) she has worked in our Court Clerk’s office bridging cultures and languages in our courts and community!