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Larimer County highlights disability program navigator that links job seekers to DVR and training
Summary
County workforce staff described a Disability Program Navigator embedded in local workforce centers that helps residents with disabilities access Division of Vocational Rehabilitation services, braids funding for training and supports, and has referrals and co‑enrollment numbers that county staff say have grown since the program began.
Larimer County officials used a Feb. 12 work session to describe a Disability Program Navigator (DPN) program embedded in the county’s workforce centers that connects job seekers with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), employers and local training resources.
The program’s purpose and results: The presentation said DPNs help identify job seekers who may have disabilities but are not yet connected to DVR, provide same‑day intake assistance and supportive services, and coordinate funding so training and basic needs can proceed in parallel. “Part of the success of the program is being able to do the work in the moment,” Marcy Kasner, associate director of economic and workforce development and veteran services, said at the meeting.
Why it matters: County staff and DVR representatives described the navigator role as a way to increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities while reducing duplication between state and local programs. Blake Dowling, Larimer County’s DPN, presented enrollment and referral totals and described day‑to‑day tasks such as community outreach, assistive technology reviews and coordination with DVR counselors.
Numbers and outcomes presented: Dowling told the board that, statewide since the pilot launch, DVR has seen 429 new individuals become co‑enrolled and 288 in program year 2023 alone; local workforce center DPNs have served about 857 job seekers with disabilities and made roughly 603 referrals to or from DVR (numbers the presenter said were earlier in the program). Dowling also provided an updated statewide figure: through December there were 1,125 services recorded for co‑enrolled individuals and 847 referrals between DVR and workforce centers.
How it works in practice: Dowling and other staff described “braiding” funding—DVR paying for training while workforce centers provide supportive services—so a person can continue training while receiving help such as transportation, temporary shelter or assistive devices. Dowling described one client who was homeless and living in a vehicle; DVR funded cybersecurity training while workforce services provided supports that enabled the client to continue training. Adam Shake, business outreach specialist for DVR in Northern Colorado, gave a separate example of someone who completed a DVR paid work experience and later needed help navigating online county job applications; he said the person was referred to the workforce center and later applied for W‑2 positions there.
Client experience: Chrissy, a workforce center client who spoke to the commissioners, credited the DPN with helping her feel safe and supported during a period of job loss and difficulty. “She made me feel safe,” Chrissy said, and added that the navigator’s assistance with referrals and paperwork helped her reenter paid work and connect to benefits counseling.
Accessibility and outreach work: Dowling described quarterly accessibility review committee work and ongoing efforts to make digital entry points accessible (for example, ensuring JotForms on the county website are screen‑reader friendly and that newsletters are accessible). Staff also described partnerships with Poudre School District to run an ACE reverse hiring fair (the presenters said a second fair is planned for April 10) and plans for a Northern Colorado resource fair for job seekers with disabilities on May 16. Dowling and Adam described other outreach and training efforts for employers, including DVR 101 sessions for workforce staff and disability etiquette trainings for HR teams.
What commissioners said: Commissioners praised the navigator role and the client testimony as evidence the program fills a practical need; several described the on‑the‑spot assistance and partnerships as valuable to residents and employers.
Next steps and follow‑up: Presenters and commissioners said the county will continue the DPN role and proceed with planned employer and community events (the presenters listed an April 10 reverse hiring fair and a May 16 resource fair). Staff noted they will continue to collect and report co‑enrollment and referral data to measure outcomes.
