Disability Program Navigator (DPN)
Purpose:
The Disability Program Navigator Project’s purpose is to increase employment and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.
Program:
Navigators work within WORKFORCE WV One-Stop Centers statewide to make the resources of WORKFORCE WV available to individuals with disabilities. Navigators will work with you, your family or your agency to help you gain access to services that include, but are not limited to:
- Training and education
- Relationship building with employers
- Accessibility problem solving
- Information and referral
Navigators will help you:
- Identify community and WORKFORCE WV resources for employment such as training, transportation, housing, assistive technology and more
- Work directly with you to explain how to use work incentives and other resources that will help you reach employment goals
- Link to the employment services available in your community, in your One-Stop Center and other programs in West Virginia
Navigators will work with community programs, schools and consumer organizations to help individuals with disabilities access the services and supports they need to obtain and maintain employment in the workforce.
What is a Disability Program Navigator?
A Systems Change Agent
- Increases access to and use of community programs and resources
- Improves access to WORKFORCE WV services through assistive technology services
- Assists WORKFORCE WV in developing and implementing reasonable accommodation policies and procedures
- Builds relationships with partners and other community members
- Provides training to WORKFORCE WV staff and partners on how to serve customers with disabilities
A Problem Solver
- Removes barriers to employment for job seekers with disabilities by identifying community resources such as training, transportation, housing and assistive technology
- Works with the Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) along with the Medicaid Work Incentive Network (M-WIN) to show customers how to use work incentives to reach employment goals
- Finds answers to questions from WORKFORCE WV staff regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employment and other disability-related topics
- Provides consultation to employers on making reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities
A Relationship Builder
- Coordinates WORKFORCE WV orientations, tours and Open Houses targeting the disability community
- Participates regularly in community events, resource and job fairs and business roundtables as a WORKFORCE WV representative
- Consults with employment partners about accessibility, accommodations and other disability-related topics
- Organizes or joins interagency collaborations that focus on accessibility, sharing of resources and/or improving employment outcomes for persons with disabilities
A Resource
- Answers questions from WORKFORCE WV staff and partners about serving job seekers with disabilities
- Offers guidelines on interacting with people with disabilities to WORKFORCE WV staff and partners
- Presents information on the Workforce Investment Act and WORKFORCE WV services to a wide variety of community service providers
- Coordinates workshops for WORKFORCE WV on employment with regard to disclosure, reasonable accommodations, work incentives and job seekers’ rights and responsibilities under the ADA
- Offers information to the business community on hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities
A Facilitator
- Brings together multiple partners to foster a collaborative effort
- Coordinates WORKFORCE WV staff training on a variety of disability-related topics
- Improves communication between WORKFORCE WV and partners
- Bridges gaps between the business and human service communities by organizing disability related forums
NOTE: Navigators are not case managers. If you have questions about their role and function, please contact:
PROJECT DIRECTORJanice Holland
Phone: (304) 720-3200 ext. 205
E-mail: jholland@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator Staff
Disability Program Navigator, BeckleySharon Minor
Phone: (304) 647-0500
E-mail: sminor@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Charleston
Chad Beam
Phone: (304) 993-9136
E-mail: cbeam@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Elkins
Sherry Davisson
Phone: (304) 641-2373
E-mail: sdavisson@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Fairmont
Phone: (304) 276-3067
E-mail:
Disability Program Navigator, Huntington
Sherri Napier
Phone: (304) 690-0359
E-mail: snapier@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Logan
Phone: (304) 687-2826
E-mail:
Disability Program Navigator, Martinsburg
Phone: (304) 671-4060
E-mail:
Disability Program Navigator, Moorefield
Jesse M. Martin
Phone: (304) 257-3622
E-mail: jmartin@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Morgantown
Phone: (304) 376-4702
E-mail:
Disability Program Navigator, Parkersburg
Phone: (304) 276-5087
E-mail:
Disability Program Navigator, Princeton
Marie Parker
Phone: (304) 921-1970
E-mail: mparker@hsc.wvu.edu
Disability Program Navigator, Wheeling
Traci Jordan
Phone: (304) 238-6643
E-mail: tjordan@hsc.wvu.edu
The West Virginia Disability Program Navigator Project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. A collaborative program with WORKFORCE West Virginia.
