|
WDVA Veteran Voices
|
July 2023
|
|
|
A Message From the Director
Greetings from Your WDVA Director - David Puente
Your Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Digital Navigator Program recently wrapped up the Department of Commerce grant cycle and surpassed expectations.
We are incredibly proud of our team's commitment and effort. The success of the program reflects their dedication to Serving Those Who Served.
Veterans can now easily connect to their earned benefits and pursue personal or professional goals. We are thankful for the opportunity this Department of Commerce grant provided which has already had a positive impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
|
|
|
Spokane — The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is proud to announce the appointment of Mark Michaels as the Administrator of the Spokane Veterans Home.
Mark assumed responsibility of the Veterans Home on June 14. Mark completed his Administrator in Training in 2004 and maintains an active Certified Nursing Assistant license.
Mark’s professional background in healthcare spans 30 years, including facility and regional capacities.
Mark worked in western Washington as a skilled nursing home administrator for the last seven years and recently moved back to the area.
|
Register Now for the Annual WDVA Serving Those Who Served Conference!
This two-day, veterans resource providers’ conference is not only aimed at establishing better collaboration and connection for all those who work with veterans and their families, but it will also provide a wealth of knowledge from industry experts in areas that impact the lives of our veterans and their families.
This conference provides collaboration with professionals from across the state, all while learning new veteran-related information, all at no cost to the participant.
This two-day conference will include breakout sessions on Justice Involved Veterans, WDVA Programs, VA Healthcare/VA Choice, PACT Act Updates, Suicide Prevention/Suicide Safety, Rural Engagement, Cemetery & Burial Benefits, PTSD & Traumatic Brain Injury, County Specific Topics - Best Practices/Creating Regional Strategic Partnerships, Helping Vets Succeed in the Workplace and YesVets, Service Animals, Veteran Homelessness & Housing Programs and more.
To learn more about this conference and/or how you can get involved visit Serving Those Who Served Conference or email vtsc@dva.wa.gov.
|
July Events & Observances Calendar
Please email us your events at communications@dva.wa.gov so we can get them added.
|
|
Walla Walla Veterans Home
A team of talented songwriters from Nashville's Operation Song came to the Walla Walla Veterans Home to individually interview three of our WWVH Veterans and their spouses to learn about their life journeys, experiences, thoughts and dreams,
and turned them into songs that were performed the same day in front of residents, staff, and families. It was a moving experience for everyone involved.
It was Operation Song's first trip to the West Coast, and a memorable one residents, staff and families will remember.
We appreciate the 2023 grant funding from the Washington State Arts Commission for making this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible!
 Washington Soldiers Home in Orting
Going to Seattle's Museum of Flight sparked a lot of excitement among the residents. All the thrilling aviation and aerospace exhibitions were enjoyed by them as well as the volunteers and staff that were with them. There was a ton to discover and see!
We appreciate the assistance provided by the staff and volunteers to the residents during this eagerly awaited and breathtaking visit to the Museum of Flight!
|
Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard
Dueling Pianos: Jeff and Rhiannon recently visited our Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard to perform several music favorites that put smiles on the audience's faces.
This incredible performance was the grand finale of all the great programs our home could do, thanks to Washington State Arts Commission Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) Grant.
We appreciate the wonderful music performance and hope Jeff and Rhiannon will return soon!
Spokane Veterans Home
Your WDVA Director, and Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert recently visited the Spokane Veterans Home (SVH) to attend a Resident Council meeting. We
Residents shared lots of positive feedback about the quality of care and their appreciation of WDVA SVH staff.
|
|
WDVA Hot Jobs - Incentives Available
 Click the link below for available opportunities with WDVA!
|
|
Program Highlight
The Veterans Conservation Corps Program serves those who served by providing veterans with self-directed connections to the lands, waters, and communities in WA State.
To learn more about the Orting Veterans Farm, Internships and Training opportunities click below.
|
Outstanding Service to Veterans Award Nominations Now Open
It's time to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who make a difference.
You can nominate individuals for Outstanding Service to Veterans Awards in the following categories:
Superior Award, Distinguished Service Award and Team Award.
|
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to offer the Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass and recognize and honor the sacrifices you made while serving our country. Thank you for your service. State Parks welcomes Washington State Disabled Veterans to our parks by offering free day-use Washington State Parks is proud to offer a Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass to recognize and honor the sacrifices have made while in service to our country. We thank our disabled veterans for their service and welcome them to our parks with free day-use and camping to our Lifetime Disabled Veteran pass holders.
It’s important to remember that State Parks is primarily self-funded, relying on user fees to keep our parks open. Unused reservations and abuse of the pass cause unnecessary costs for us. Please only make reservations you intend to use and if you’re unable to use your reservation, make sure to cancel as early as possible.
If you have questions about the program, the Washington State Parks Information Center and Discount Pass Program is here to help! Call (360) 902-8844 or email Passes@parks.wa.gov.
|
|
|
We Want to Hear from You About the New Format
Please take a few moments and provide us with feedback to make us better in 2023 at Serving Those Who Served for our email distribution.
Your feedback is instrumental in the continued improvement of your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs and will help to inform us on potential topics and subjects that we should include in the future.
Please email us at communications@dva.wa.gov with any feedback you may have.
|
|
|
|
