1. DISABILITY PROGRAM NAVIGATOR ORIENTATION Navigator and Supervisor: Local Level Experiences June 2004

2. 2 ILLINOIS EXPERIENCE (Champaign, IL)

3. 3 Presented by Representatives from the State of Illinois Disability Program Navigator project. Navigator: Rebecca E. Bruns Illinois Employment Training Center P: 217-278-5700 x205 / TTY 217-398-0120 rebecca_bruns@yahoo.com Supervisor: Aletha Alexander Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services P: 217-278-3500 / TTY 217-278-3510 DHSRSKH@dhs.state.il.us

4. 4 Supervisors/Partners Rebecca has four direct supervisors. These partners have all come together to take ownership of the Navigator initiative and are invested in its outcomes. In addition to Aletha Alexander, her other supervisors include: Al Anderson, Champaign Consortium (WIA Title 1), Executive Director, P: 217-278-5700 / TTY 217-398- 0120, alanders_55@yahoo.comalanders_55@yahoo.com Gwen DuPree, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Acting Local Manager, P: 217-278-5700 / TTY 217-398- 0120, GDuPree@ides.state.il.usGDuPree@ides.state.il.us Ruth Ann Evans, Parkland College, Assistant Dean of Adult Education, P: 217-351-2390, revans@parkland.edurevans@parkland.edu

5. 5 Related Materials http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/events/2 003_dpn/dpn_orientation.html Access the URL to view/download the supplemental materials referenced during this Presentation:  Employment & Disability Forum Flyer.doc  Employment & Disability Forum Schedule.doc  Evaluation Results of the Forum.doc  Illinois Employment & Training Center.doc  WIB Awards Banquet Flyer.pdf  Illinois Employment & Training Center Assistive Technology list.doc

6. 6 Objective: Development of a One-Stop Access Plan Refer to posted documents: Illinois Employment & Training Center.doc and Illinois Employment & Training Center Assistive Technology list.doc. Purpose of Activity Keeping with the philosophy of “you don’t invite people over without cleaning house first”, access planning is a way to: identify barriers that limit access, prioritize the areas needing improvement, explain what will be done to improve each area, state who is responsible, set a completion date. Having one plan means we all have a unified message of access and ultimately this fosters better communication. We all become accountable for implementation of best practices.

7. 7 One-Stop Supervisors/Navigator Relationship The One-Stop Partners (Supervisors) hold a meeting every other week. The meetings are 2 hours in length and I am asked to present during the last hour along with the One-Stop receptionist, One-Stop coordinator and the WIB director. During this time I have the Partner’s attention to present a new idea, policy or program, get guidance and ask for approval of implementation. The Partners follow through a “this is a high priority” message to staff. Objective: Development of a One-Stop Access Plan

8. 8 Purpose of Activity Keeping with the philosophy of not duplicating efforts, I research all programming and ask the staff a lot of questions. I make it an effort to ask staff for their ideas and opinions regarding a new idea. (After all, they are the ones doing their job!)… I give staff options regarding ways to improve access within ‘their’ area. Objective: One-Stop Service and Program Research

9. 9 One-Stop Supervisors/Navigator Relationship The Partners have given me free reign to talk to whomever I need to in order to gain more knowledge of a particular service or program. If guidance is needed from one particular Partner, I often email them my question. My emails are returned within a day or two…I truly have their support. The Partners continue the ‘web’ of communication among agencies. Objective: One-Stop Service and Program Research

10. 10 Refer to posted documents: Employment & Disability Forum Flyer.doc, Employment & Disability Forum Schedule.doc, Evaluation Results of the Forum.doc. Purpose of Activity When working with community partners, I explain the importance of the DPN position and share our access philosophy. I like to give community partners a mixture of options/guidance when I meet with them. (Each agency relationship/collaboration is going to be unique.) When developing programs, I feel it is important to look at all possible audiences…customers with disabilities, employers and One-Stop staff. Objective: Community Outreach

11. 11 One-Stop Supervisors/Navigator Relationship The Partners work directly with me to broaden participant relationships. Purpose and mission is always being looked at and/or refined by the Partners and the One-Stop staff. Objective: Community Outreach

12. 12 Purpose of Activity Immediately we began on our follow-thru with the access plan. For example, all our marketing information now includes an access statement with universal symbols… We have begun a series of ‘Crossover’ meetings. In these meetings, One-Stop staff from different agencies come together to share ideas of how to work better together and possibly develop new policies to streamline customer service efforts. Objective: In-House Initiatives

13. 13 One-Stop Supervisors/Navigator Relationship The ‘Crossover’ meeting minutes are shared with the Partners during our bi-weekly meetings. At this time all ideas for new policies are mentioned and discussed. With discussion (and possibly some revision) the new policy is implemented. Objective: In-House Initiatives

14. 14 Purpose of Activity This relates to training, research, day-to-day scheduling of meetings… One-Stop Supervisors/Navigator Relationship I keep the Partners updated on my progress via email, memo or by personal/group meeting. Objective: Navigator Specific