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Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) covers a wide array of services. VR helps eligible people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep work. Lorraine Van Brunt (Colville) is the Vocational Rehabilitation Program Coordinator.

Lorraine Van Brunt is the SPIPA Vocational
Rehabilitation Program Coordinator.

She says "The mission of the SPIPA Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to assist Native American People with disabilities in making informed choices that encourage the achievement of gainful employment while promoting personal empowerment, independence, and integration into family, community and workplace, with respect to individual cultural and traditional values."

Services offered include:

  • Rehabilitation Counseling - Helps individuals with disabilities choose the kind of work they can do best.
  • Job Training and Placement - Job training may happen at a trade or business school, college, on-the-job training, at the 5TCC, or even at a special rehabilitation center. A VR counselor talks to you about finding a job that’s right for you, and how to keep it. Your counselor follows up to be sure both you and your boss are happy.
  • Help with Special Rehabilitation Costs - Your VR Counselor may be able to help with transportation in the form of bus tokens, gas vouchers, or by finding transportation for you. Your counselor may also be able to help you with specialized, work-related items. If you are deaf, VR may help arrange for an interpreter as you look for work.
  • Physical and Mental Restoration Services - If you need adaptive technology (a wheelchair, hearing aid, crutch, or artificial limb.) VR will work with your medical insurance provider, and other resources, to help you acquire needed items.
marcie ford

Cindy Powell is the SPIPA VR
Job Developer.
Marcie Ford serves Nisqually clients.

Not pictured: Barbara Churchill, Chehalis VR.

Carol Cordova is VR Program Director at The 5TCC,
(360) 462-3230 or (800) 924-3984.

To reach Lorraine Van Brunt, Vocational Rehabilitation
Progam Coordinator, call (360) 462-3257 or (800) 924-3984.

    Each tribe has a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor:

    • Marcie Ford, Nisqually, (360) 456-5221 ext. 1180.
    • Barbara Churchill, Chehalis, (360) 273-5911.
    • Nicole Ossa, Skokomish, (360) 426-4232 ext. 201.
    • June Krise, Squaxin Island, (360) 462-3246.
    • Quentin Smith serves as the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for both the Shoalwater Bay Tribe and the 5TCC, (360) 462-3248.
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