Gina Bastian
I graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1995 with a degree in Psychology while managing group homes in Minnesota. In 1997, I completed a graduate degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the same university. I received my CRC in 1999. Out of graduate school, I was the Program Director for the Parent Training and Information Center in Alaska. From there I worked in Case Management and Care Coordination before becoming a Community Rehabilitation Provider for the State of Alaska Vocational Rehabilitation for 5 years. I was fortunate enough to secure a position with the State of Alaska Vocational Rehabilitation agency and worked for 14 years as a counselor, getting to work with transition age youth, Project Search, youth coming out of Foster Care, Supported Employment, and a general caseload. I am currently one of five Rehabilitation Managers in the State of Alaska. Our region serves the Anchorage/Eagle River/Bristol Bay areas and includes our Tier One Evaluation office and a focus on Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind. In the past 5 years, I was excited to take on the role of overseeing Business Engagement for our state. We have had significant growth and development in all areas that I oversee. Along with my work with the State of Alaska, I provide leadership training to new managers and VR programs in other states.