Vocational Rehabilitation Program

What is Vocational Rehab?

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federally funded employment program for eligible Native Americans with a diagnosed disability residing in our service areas: Churchill County, Pershing County, and Nye County.

Purpose of VR

Our purpose is to help eligible individuals with disabilities get or keep a job. Applicants must be qualified to receive VR services; VR is not an entitlement program. If you are eligible, both you and our vocational rehabilitation counselor will help identify a suitable job goal, determine the services needed to become ready for the job, and assist with the employment search. Any services provided must be in support of your employment goal.

Our Location:

1007 Rio Vista Drive
Fallon, NV 89406-5463

Phone: (775) 428-2250
Fax: (775) 423-8960

Office Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements

You Must:

  1. Be an enrolled member of a Federally Recognized Tribe
  2. Reside on the boundaries of the following areas:
    • Churchill County or the Fallon Reservation/Colony
    • Nye County or the Yomba Reservation
    • Pershing County or the Lovelock Colony
  3. Have a documented physical or mental disability that makes it hard for you to receive or keep employment

VR Process

Step 1: Applying for Services by Contacting the VR program
Step 2: Determining Eligibility within a 60 Day Timeframe
Step 3: Career Exploration & Developing an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
Step 4: Following Your Plan Developed Between You and Your VR Counselor
Step 5: Finding a Job That Fits Your Interests and Abilities
Step 6: Successfully Employed After 90 Days of Consistent Employment

What to Expect

VR is a commitment, partnership, and a process. Your rehabilitation process can take several months from application to successful employment. VR will work with you to identify any disability-related barriers you may have that are interfering with your ability to obtain or sustain employment and to develop solutions to address and overcome those barriers.

Together you and your VR Counselor will:

  1. Assess your strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, capabilities, interests, and rehabilitation needs
  2. Explore, clarify, and determine your employment and career choices
  3. Address your disability-related barriers to employment
  4. Develop and carry out a plan for employment (IPE) that will result in suitable employment
  5. Maintain contact for several months after successful employment

 

Types of VR Services

Some VR Services include but are not limited to:

  • Training or education to help you find employment.
  • Occupational license, tools, equipment or technology which may aid in helping you hold a job.
  • Vocational counseling and guidance to assist you in selecting a job goal.
  • Assessments to determine your job skills and interests.
  • On-the-job training, job search assistance, job interview skills, follow-up and follow-along services.
  • Transition services for students with disabilities.
  • Traditional healing services.

Meet Our Staff Members

Lynette Fisherman

Tribal Secretary

Kari Gonzalez

Victim Services Advocate

Jon Pishion

Council Member

Jill Wright

Communications Coordinator

Linda Loebs

Grant Administrator

Edwin Conway

Council Member

Andrew Hicks

Vice Chairman

Vanessa Charley

Vocational Rehab Counselor
vrc@fpst.org

Teresa McDonald

Law Enforcement Secretary

Robert Griggs

Acting Tribal Police Sgt

Michelle Bowers

Victim Services Director

Rachel Laca

Payroll

Jean Marshall

Senior Accountant

Lynn Castro

Comptroller

Shalone Jimmy

Human Resources Associate
hrassociate@fpst.org

Melanie McFalls

Tribal Administrator

Cathi Tuni

Tribal Chairman
chairman@fpst.org

Phillip Johnson

Council Member

Vicki Moyle

Treasurer

Denea Moyle-Zulz

Grants Accountant

Lisa Bedoy

CLC Director
clcdirector@fpst.org

David Blackeye

Chief of Tribal Police
chiefofpolice@fpst.org

Kae Ward

Judicial Manager
judicialmgr@fpst.org

Richard Black

Environmental Manager
richenviro@fpst.org

Juliana Dixon

Chairman’s Assistant

Yvonne Mori

Stepping Stones Director
eysdirector@fpst.org

Austin Little

CLC Education Specialist
clcspecialistal@fpst.org

Laura Ijames

Housing Director
housingdirector@fpst.org

Sonia Corleto

Environmental Specialist
soniaenviro@fpst.org

Steve Naylor

IT Specialist
it@fpst.org

Letisha Yellowhawk

CLC Education Specialist
clcspecialistly@fpst.org

Krystina Dalton

Court Clerk
courtclerk@fpst.org

Ileana Henry

Environmental Specialist
ileanaenviro@fpst.org

Jonell Strawbuck

Receptionist

Safia Amimi

Environmental Specialist
safiaenviro@fpst.org

Sandra Hicks

Grants Compliance Officer

Krystal Williams

Housing Specialist

Adrian Tom

CLC Education Specialist
clcspecialistat@fpst.org

Currently Vacant

Housing Assistant Director

Rosalie Allen

Enrollment Coordinator

Oscar Moser

Maintenance Supervisor

Donald Lonewolf

Carpenter

Britt Edralin

Carpenter

Christopher Bagaforo

Carpenter

Tommy Kee

Carpenter

Shannon Kiele

Maintenance Tech