Disability Navigator

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) partners rehabilitation professionals with WIA youth service providers in the Delta Workforce Area who provide training and technical assistance and serve as brokers to link individuals with disabilities with appropriate services. This enhances the ability of youth service providers in the Delta WIA to achieve their goals for all youth.

Providers of youth services in the Delta WIA often find it difficult to meet performance standards for WIA youth with disabilities because they require more individualized comprehensive services to prepare for employment. With training and assistance from the Disability Coordinator Program (DCP) to coordinate and facilitate appropriate services within the existing youth providers structure they will more likely experience a successful outcome upon exit from the WIA program.

The Disability Coordinator Program consists of:

• Coordination of services among current youth providers and other social services providers depending on the assessed needs of the individual
• Training to youth providers on disability issues such as disability awareness, etiquette, terminology and communication. Trainings will be conducted as needed with individual providers and bi-annual trainings will be held for all Youth Service providers.
• Technical assistance regarding disability specific issues both on and off the job and while in training, and
• Assistance with job placement service. Assistance with entering the workforce for an individual with a disability is of a highly specialized nature requiring skilled specialist who understand their unique needs.

In addition, the MDRS Youth Disability Coordinator Program offers "Job Readiness" training to WIA service providers for their participants on various topics, including but not limited to the following:

• Completion of Application Process
• Mock Interview
• Grooming for Success
• Job Retention Skills
• Communication Skills