UPE and the Courts met on July 16, 2025, to discuss the “Interpreter System Change.” The Sacramento Superior Court is switching from the current NovaTime interpreter scheduling system to a new platform called Fluency. All interpreter requests will be submitted through the Fluency portal instead of email or the old forms. Staff will log in, fill out a pre-loaded form, and be able to track the status of interpreter requests directly in the system.
The Court has agreed to provide training for employees. Training sessions will be offered over Zoom, and a training manual will also be made available. Employees are not required to attend the training sessions, but it is encouraged. Additionally, the courts have made it clear that employees are not responsible for asking members of the public if they need an interpreter.
If an interpreter needs to be requested or canceled less than 72 hours before the appointment, the request should go through the Interpreter’s Office directly and not through the Fluency system. Once the system is live, all other interpreter requests must be submitted using Fluency.
UPE proposed a 90-day hold harmless grace period after the system goes live. This means employees will not face discipline for any mistakes made while learning and adjusting to the new system during those first 90 days. The Court has agreed to this proposal. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the implementation of the new system, please contact UPE. We are here to help.
UPE WOULD LIKE TO THANK UPE COURT OFFICE TECHNICAL GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS JULIE VALDIVIA, NANCY WALLACE, SHAWN BOXER, AND TAMMI BOXER FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT
