Partnering with Disability

Program Navigators
Presented by:
Patrick Loeber,
Disability Program Navigator Coordinator
Colorado WIN Partners/UCHSC

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What is a Disability
Program Navigator?
 Disability Program Navigators
(DPNs) guide Workforce Center
staff in helping people with
disabilities access and navigate
the complex provisions of various
programs that provide the
services and supports needed to
obtain and maintain employment.
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What a DPN is…
 A systems change agent

 A problem solver

 A relationship builder

 A resource

 A facilitator
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WHAT A DPN IS NOT…
 Not a case manager

 Not a front-line staff person in a

workforce center

 Not a Benefits Planning and

Outreach Specialist

 Not a Vocational Rehabilitation

Specialist
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The DPN will…
 Guide One-Stop staff in helping
people with disabilities access and
navigate the complex provisions of
various programs that impact their
ability to gain/retain employment.
 Develop linkages and collaborate on
an ongoing basis with employers to
facilitate job placements for persons
with disabilities.
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The DPN will…
 Develop partnerships to achieve
integrated services, systemic change,
and expand the capacity to serve
customers with disabilities.
 Facilitate the transition of in- or out-of-
school youth with disabilities to secure
employment and economic self-
sufficiency.
 Conduct outreach to agencies and
organizations that serve people with
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disabilities.
The DPN will…
 Serve as a resource on SSA’s work
incentive and employment support
programs and the provision of services
through Benefits Planning, Assistance and
Outreach organizations (BPAOs);
Protection and Advocacy systems (P&As);
and SSA’s employment-related
demonstration projects.

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The DPN will…
 Serve as a resource to the workforce
development community to ensure the
availability of comprehensive knowledge
of Federal, State, local and private
programs that impact the ability of
persons with disabilities to enter and
remain in the workforce.

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DPNs and
DVOPs/LVERS
 DPNs throughout the country are
currently working closely with DVOPs and
LVERS in workforce centers.

 The DPNs are actively working to develop

relationships with community partners
including VETS grantees and their
customers.

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DOL-SSA DPN states
include:
Alaska (new) Iowa New York
Arizona Maryland Oklahoma
California Massachusetts Oregon
Colorado Michigan (new) Rhode Island
Delaware Minnesota (new) (new)
District of Mississippi South Carolina
Columbia (new) Missouri (new) Tennessee (new)
Florida Nebraska (new) Texas (new)
Hawaii (new) New Jersey (new) Vermont
Illinois New Mexico Virginia (new)
Indiana (new) West Virginia
(new)
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Wisconsin
DPN Video
 Serving Persons with
Disabilities in the One-Stop
Center video highlights the
activities of DPNs around the
country.

http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/
video/dpn_eta/movwmv.asp?Media
Name=eta200505&AgendaNumber
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=1
 To Locate a DPN Near
You
 DPNs are now in 31 states. A National
Directory of DPNs is available at:
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/grant/
dpn_docs/dpn_wigs_contacts0406.doc

 University of Iowa Law, Health Policy and

Disability Center
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/
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To Locate a DPN Near
You
 DPNs are now in all regions of the
state. There are a total of 19
DPNs in the state of Colorado.
 Directory of DPNs is available at:
http://www.cowinpartners.org/Consum

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Contact Information

Colorado Disability Program

Navigators
Patrick Loeber: (303) 315-0446
Patrick.loeber@uchsc.edu

Website:
http://www.cowinpartners.org
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Questions/Comments

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Thank You

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