Visit to King County Veteran's Jail Pod
King County has launched an innovative program which works to give incarcerated veterans some of the skills they need to thrive back in civilian life once they leave jail. This week I visited The King County Incarcerated Veterans Program and had the chance to meet with one of its participants who now, thanks to the program, was able to get his life on a better path. Services provided for veterans in King County Jails now include assessment and referral for substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, transitional housing assistance, and job referral and placement services. All services are provided in a separate, veteran specific pod that helps support participants.
In 2014, I sponsored the legislation that lead to the creation of this program, because I feel that with all the challenges faced by our military veterans, transitioning back to civilian life should not be one of them. Many of our veterans have developed an array of mental wounds such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, stemming from their time on the front lines and we owe it to them to make sure they are given the tools for success.
While these men and women are incarcerated, the County is in a unique position to be able to offer programs that can begin to address their needs and help stop the cycle of incarceration.
I would like to thank County Executive Constantine and my colleagues on the County Council for supporting this initiative. I look forward to hearing even more success stories as the new program evolves in the coming years.
Fairwood Celebration needs your help!
Starting this week, in honor of the community of Fairwood's 50th Anniversary celebration this summer, I'll be partnering with King County Parks to bring you throwback pictures and memories from Fairwood's past.
To submit photos for the Fairwood 50th Anniversary Throwback, post your photos or memories on Facebook or Twitter with the tag #Fairwood 50, or email them to me:
Reagan.Dunn@kingcounty.gov
For more information about the Fairwood 50th check out the King County Parks Website.
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