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    • (916) 654-7799
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Disability Program Navigators

About DPN, Contact DPN, Description of Services, Resources

The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) is the focus of a demonstration project jointly sponsored by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA) and the Social Security Administration, Office of Program Development and Research (SSA/OPDR).

The DPN Initiative builds the capacity of One-Stop Career Centers’ system infrastructure by promoting integrated, seamless and comprehensive services for people with disabilities which will thereby increase their occupational skills, employment opportunities, earning capacity and job retention.

Objectives: The major objectives of the DPN initiative are:

  • Creating systemic change and transforming the culture of how the One-Stop Career Center system serves customers with disabilities
  • Promoting meaningful and effective access, both physical and programmatic, to the One-Stop Career Center system for all customers, including persons with disabilities
  • Creating attitudinal change about the abilities of people with disabilities to work in a variety of jobs and industries
  • Developing new/ongoing partnerships to achieve comprehensive services to people with disabilities
  • Expanding and enhancing the workforce development system's capacity to serve customers with disabilities and employers through the implementation of effective DPN strategies and practices
  • Increasing the number of people with disabilities served under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and achieving quality employment outcomes for jobseekers with disabilities through accessing WIA Title I and Wagner-Peyser Programs.

The DPN guides One-Stop Career Center staff in assisting people with disabilities to access and navigate the various programs that impact their ability to gain/retain employment. Complex rules surrounding entitlement programs, along with the fear of losing cash assistance and health benefits, can often discourage people with disabilities from working. Consequently, the DPN initiative was established to better inform beneficiaries and other people with disabilities about the work support programs now available at DOL-funded One-Stop Career Centers.

Funding for the Disability Program Navigator Initiative is made available through the Work Incentive Grant program in the Department of Labor Appropriations Act 2004, Public Law 108-99 and the Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2005 Public Law 108-447. Key provisions are included in Sections 121, 134(c), and 189(c)(c) of the Workforce Investment Act (29 U.S.C 2841, 2864 (c), and 2939(c)and the Wagner-Peyser Act ( 29 U.S.C.49f). Key regulations governing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Wagner-Peyser Act programs are at 20 CFR parts 651-652 and 660-671.