The Washington State Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs provide services to American Indians with disabilities who are seeking employment. The Department of Services for the Blind works cooperatively with the Tribal VR Programs to enhance the independence of individuals with visual disabilities, facilitate access to vocational rehabilitation services and increase employment opportunities for those served.
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 provides a general framework for building a cooperative and service-oriented relationship to insure American Indians and Alaskan Natives receive the full scope of vocational rehabilitation services possible. The current Statewide Agreement, has been drafted, but has not been signed by all of the participating Tribes, as those signature pages are received they will be added to the Agreement.
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
http://www.colvilletribes.com/
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.
https://www.cowlitz.org/careers/job-training-development.html
DSB Tribal Liaison:
Kristi Akers,, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
kristi.akers@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 a medical, physical, emotional, or cognitive conditions which interfere with their success in employment.
https://www.lummi-nsn.gov/Website.php?PageID=666
DSB Tribal Liaisons:
Kenneth Sanchez, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
kenneth.sanchez@dsb.wa.gov
Amanda Gonzalez, Program Specialist
amanda.gonzalez@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.
http://www.nivrp.org/index.html
DSB Tribal Liaisons:
Kenneth Sanchez, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
kenneth.sanchez@dsb.wa.gov
Amanda Gonzalez, Program Specialist
amanda.gonzalez@dsb.wa.gov
Samish Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation
Operate a culturally appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation program that will provide services to American Indians/Alaskan Natives with disabilities who reside in the Samish Indian Nation’s service delivery area, consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choices, so that they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment, including self-employment, telecommuting, and business ownership.
http://www.samishtribe.nsn.us/programs/vocational-rehabilitation/
DSB Tribal Liaisons:
Kenneth Sanchez, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
kenneth.sanchez@dsb.wa.gov
Amanda Gonzalez, Program Specialist
amanda.gonzalez@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, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe, and Squaxin Island Tribe.
http://www.spipa.org/
DSB Tribal Liaison:
Joy Davidson, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
joy.davidson@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.
https://spokanetribe.com/government/health-and-human-services/vocational-rehabilitation/
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.