Disability Program Navigator Training A Joint Initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration Colorado Navigator Experience Patrick Loeber, Consumer Navigator, Pikes Peak Workforce Center

Consumer Navigators (CN) are individuals with disabilities, family members, or advocates who assist customers with disabilities seeking employment in navigating various systems that provide the services and supports needed to obtain and maintain employment.

My Background Twenty Years Experience working with persons with disabilities. Range of Experience includes: direct service provider, case manage, therapist, community advocate, program director.

My Typical Day Range of Interactions with Other Agencies, Systems, Individuals

Consumer Navigator Services Provide individualized client centered planning Provide peer mentoring and advocacy Provide resource information, including linkages to specific services within the community Assist individuals with disabilities to secure and access services and supports needed to obtain and maintain employment Provide referrals Troubleshoot problem areas Conduct outreach to underserved groups

Most Often Provided Services Advocacy Client-Centered Counseling Resource for Employers

Types of Referrals Integrated Career Centers (Workforce Centers) Benefits Counseling Vocational Rehabilitation Out of 24 referral categories, almost 50% is made up by three categories.

What Value Do Consumer Navigators Provide? Building better relationships between agencies Improved Customer Service

One-Stops Prior to Navigators Unrecognized needs of customers Automatic referral to Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Customers fell through cracks

What Value Do Consumer Navigators Add? Resource and information dissemination Assist consumers in self advocacy Making the right referral and keeping up with changes Being available in crisis situations Provide ongoing follow up with consumers Provide training on adaptive equipment Initially resisted by staff, now valued Built communication with DVR and SSA CN viewed as a facilitator

Positive Outcomes Successful employment outcomes Infrastructure built within One Stop More individuals with disabilities served in pilot sites Strong partnerships – state and local Case management enhanced Universal access to programs and services

Challenge of Navigator Position Wanting to do everything is a risk. Remembering that the role is to navigate and build infrastructure within the community and the One Stop. Promoting the position and your role to customers, co-workers, and agencies in the community. Outreach in the community.

Skills and Knowledge Critical to Success Comfortable with Multiple Tasks to be worked on at the same time. Problem-Solving skills. Ability to work with many different kinds of people. Willing to take risks and facilitate change. Knowledge of multiple systems that touch people with disabilities.

This training has been designed and developed by the Law, Health Policy & Disability Center (LHPDC) of the University of Iowa College of Law disability.law.uiowa.edu