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What is the Disability Program Navigator Initiative?
The Disability Program Navigator Initiative is a federally funded program sponsored by the Department of Labor through a grant awarded to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. The Initiative encompasses 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote comprehensive services and work incentive information for SSA beneficiaries and other people with disabilities or who experience multiple barriers to employment, through the Worksource Career Center system. The Initiative focuses on developing new and ongoing partnerships to achieve seamless, comprehensive, and integrated access to services, creating systemic change, and expanding the workforce development system's capacity to serve customers with disabilities as well as meeting the needs of employers. The Initiative is working to develop new and ongoing partnerships to achieve seamless, comprehensive, and integrated access to services, creating systemic change, and expanding the workforce development system's capacity to serve customers with disabilities or customers who experience multiple barriers to employment. The Disability Program Navigator Initiative is currently funded through June 30, 2009

What are Navigators?
The Navigator helps people who experience multiple barriers to employment "navigate" through the enormous challenges of seeking work. Complex rules surrounding entitlement programs, along with fear of losing cash assistance and health benefits, can often discourage people with disabilities from seeking employment. Navigators work in partnership with Worksource Career Centers to better inform SSA beneficiaries and others who experience multiple barriers to employment about the work support programs available at the centers. These Centers provide information, training and other employment-related services at a single customer-friendly location.

Why are Navigators needed?
Like others needing assistance in finding employment, people with disabilities or people who have encountered multiple barriers to employment have often been subjected to a system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate. Connecting people with available resources is the goal of the integrated Worksource Career Centers, providing a central location for information and services for job seekers and employers. Worksource Career Centers play an important role in bringing together programs and resources for all job seekers as well as people with disabilities in a system that simplifies and expands access to services.

What services do Navigators provide?

For Worksource Oregon Career Centers:
Navigators answer questions from staff regarding service delivery for customers who experience a disability or people who have encountered multiple barriers to employment. Navigators provide specialized assistance and guidance to available resources to help the Worksource Center staff better meet the needs of jobseekers with disabilities and others experiencing barriers to employment. An example of this might be training and advising staff on how to meet the needs of a customer who is deaf or providing guidance on jobsite accommodations. Navigators also serve as a resource for services that reach beyond the ability of the Center.

For the Job Seeker:
Navigators provide information about programs and services that are available for jobseekers that might impact their search for employment. Navigators assist the jobseeker in breaking down barriers to employment by providing access to resources such as Career and Resource Mapping Workshops, resource coordination and assistance in negotiating Integrated Resource Teams.

For the Employer:
Navigators act as a resource for information on assistive technology and accommodation. Navigators provide introduction to an underutilized labor pool, tax savings information, and conduct outreach to agencies/organizations that serve people with disabilities.

For the Community:
Navigators provide or play a part in universal access to services, disability awareness and education, systems change and economic balance.

Where are Navigators located?
There are seven workforce regions covering sixteen counties throughout Oregon that currently have Navigator positions funded. These regions include: Region 2 (Multnomah and Washington Counties), Region 3 (Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties), Region 4 (Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties), Region 5 (Lane County), Region 8 (Jackson and Josephine Counties), Region 10 (Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties), Region 11 (Klamath and Lake Counties), and Region 12 (Umatilla and Morrow Counties). Region 14 (Malheur, Harney and Grant Counties)-position is currently vacant.