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ETA News Release: [04/26/2007]
Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Matthew Faraci
Phone Number: (202) 693-7909 or x4676
Release Number: 07-0607-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor to award nearly $14.2 million for Disability Program Navigators in 15 additional states and Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced nearly $14.2 million in grants to fund Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) in 15 additional states and Puerto Rico. The DPN initiative aims to assist individuals with disabilities in accessing employment through services offered by One-Stop Career Centers.

"We all have a responsibility to help people with disabilities access job opportunities in our growing economy. Disability Program Navigators is a special program to help disabled workers access the public workforce investment system more effectively," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The $14.2 million in grants will help workers with disabilities access career opportunities generated by America's growing economy."

The DPN initiative grew out of a joint venture between the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration to fund, implement and evaluate DPNs within the One-Stop Career Center system. Begun in 2003, the primary objective of the DPN initiative has been to increase the One-Stop Career Center system's ability to enhance the employability of job seekers with disabilities and to add to the number of career advancement opportunities available to them. To date, local workforce areas with DPNs are serving more customers with disabilities, and these customers are faring better in gaining employment than their counterparts in places that have yet to establish DPNs.

"This most recent phase of Disability Program Navigators funding will assist more states in reaching out to and helping workers with disabilities find employment," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "These grants will help an additional 15 states and Puerto Rico streamline access to employment programs and services for persons with disabilities."

DPN awards currently support approximately 400 navigators throughout the country. With this year's grants, the program will effectively have national reach, as just five states and one territory have declined to participate. DPN grants previously awarded to 30 states and the District of Columbia will maintain their funding levels to continue their programs.

For more information on the Department of Labor's DPN initiative, please visit www.doleta.gov/disability/eta_default.cfm.

2007 Disability Program Navigator Grants

*Additional funds will be made available to Louisiana through the Hurricane Initiative of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).