Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Organizations
Washington State Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs provide services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives with disabilities who are seeking employment. The Department of Services for the Blind works with the Tribal VR Programs to help our shared customers gain skills and find or keep meaningful careers.
Washington State’s current Statewide Agreement between Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs, the Department of Services for the Blind, and the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provide a general framework for building a cooperative and service-oriented relationship to ensure American Indians and Alaskan Natives receive the full scope of vocational rehabilitation services possible.
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Serving the Twelve Bands that compose the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: Chelan, Chief Joseph Band of Nez Perce, Colville, Eniat, Lakes, Methow, Moses-Columbia, Nespelem, Okanogan, Palus, San Poil, Wenatchi.
DSB Tribal Liaison
Eric Wharton, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
eric.wharton@dsb.wa.gov
Cowlitz Indian Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Providing services to Native Americans and Alaska Natives with disabilities consistent with their individual strengths and abilities.
DSB Tribal Liaison
Kristi Akers, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
kristi.akers@dsb.wa.gov
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s new Vocational Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide employment and educational guidance to eligible American Indians and Alaskan Natives. We help people with employment barriers.
DSB Liaison
Heather Murphy, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Heather.murphy@dsb.wa.gov
Lummi Nation
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide comprehensive vocational and rehabilitative services to Lummi Tribal Members and Native Americans living on the reservation who have medical, physical, emotional, or cognitive conditions that interfere with their success in employment.
DSB Tribal Liaison
John Reynolds, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
john.reynolds@dsb.wa.gov
North Intertribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program (NIVRP)
This service is hosted by the Stillaguamish Tribe and serves the Nooksack, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Swinomish, Tulalip and Upper Skagit Tribes in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.
DSB Tribal Liaison
John Reynolds, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
john.reynolds@dsb.wa.gov
Samish Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation
A Vocational Rehabilitation program that provides services to American Indians/Alaskan Natives with disabilities who reside in the Samish Indian Nation’s service delivery areas. They help individuals find resources, employment, business ownership, and more.
DSB Tribal Liaison
John Reynolds, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
john.reynolds@dsb.wa.gov
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency
SPIPA provides direct services, planning, and technical assistance to each Tribe and eligible Native Americans residing within the SPIPA service area. Today the consortium includes five western Washington Tribes:
The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
DSB Tribal Liaison
Kristi Akers, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Kristi.akers@dsb.wa.gov
Nisqually Indian Tribe
DSB Liaison
Sarah Jalali, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Sarah.jalali@dsb.wa.gov
Skokomish Indian Tribe
DSB Liaison
Sarah Jalali, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Sarah.jalali@dsb.wa.gov
Squaxin Island Tribe
DSB Liaison
Sarah Jalali, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Sarah.jalali@dsb.wa.gov
Spokane Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program
The mission of the Spokane Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Program (STVR) is to provide culturally appropriate Vocational Rehabilitative services to Native Americans with disabilities who have a functional limitation and need assistance maintaining, obtaining, or regaining employment. If you’re disabled and you want to work, you may be eligible for our program.
DSB Tribal Liaison
Taurus Richardson, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
taurus.richardson@dsb.wa.gov
Yakama Nation
Adult Vocational Training Program provides individuals with vocational training and Direct Employment grant assistance. AVT assists with career guidance, vocational training, and financial assistance. AVT also helps students' apply for online federal student aid.
http://www.yakamanation-nsn.gov/programs.php
DSB Tribal Liaison
Juan Ortiz, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
juan.ortiz@dsb.wa.gov
Note: each of the TVR programs listed may have unique program eligibility requirements (e.g. service area, enrollment, etc.). Please contact the programs directly for their specific eligibility criteria.
TVR programs are grant funded; therefore, this list can change annually.