Colorado WIN Partners is a collection of federal, state and local initiatives to assist individuals to maximize independence through employment, health management and community based opportunities through innovation and collaboration. Colorado WIN Partners initiatives target underrepresented populations, at risk youth and individuals with disabilities. Colorado WIN Partners is a section within the Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. It initially started with a grant entitled Project WIN (Work Incentives Network), which was a 5-year Systems Change grant (1998-2003) from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The project was designed to expand employment opportunities for individuals with a mental or a physical disability, or both, who receive public assistance.
Due to the early success of Project WIN, Colorado WIN Partners’ expertise and involvement has been requested in numerous national, federal, state and local projects and initiatives. Some of the federal projects have been with Social Security Administration and the US Department of Labor, and some of the state projects have been with Colorado’s Workforce Development Council, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment and the Department of Human Services/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Some of Colorado Win Partners’ research projects have been with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. and The Lewin Group, Inc. Colorado WIN Partners has provided technical assistance and training on a variety of disability-related issues including building collaboration between agencies and coalitions; program evaluation design and implementation; and providing innovative employment and community opportunities for individuals with disabilities, at risk youth and underrepresented populations.
Colorado WIN Partners manages federal and state projects, designs research and program evaluation, delivers technical assistance and training, and provides a variety of services to its new and existing partners.