By Stacy Bayton
Public Private Partnership Highlight:
Providing Support to Military and Veteran Communities
Over 600,000 veterans and 106,000 active duty military personnel reside within Washington State. Over 3,000 National Guard and Reserve members also call Washington home. With such a strong military and veteran presence, Washington has taken a leading role in providing cost effective, innovative services and programs for their veterans and military families. How do they accomplish such a large task? Through public, private partnerships that support the mission and goals the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs has publicly defined.
Washington has seen its share of cutbacks in funding, but instead of losing needed programs, they took action. In 2004 their Department of Veterans Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the WA National Guard, the Employment Security Department, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and other state agencies. All parties acknowledged that community based nonprofits play a vital role in their ability to offer family support, financial assistance, health care, mental health services, employment, education, and other transitional services. All parties prioritized increased partnerships within the state to better serve men and women in uniform and their families.
Full Support Services:
Organizations like RallyPoint/6 (RP/6) are taking a unique approach to helping military, National Guard, veterans, and their families transition from military to civilian life. Using a model similar to the Veterans Association of North County (VANC) in southern CA's program, RP/6 serves as a one-stop resource center, centralizing the services of diverse agencies in order to bring all services to service members, veterans, and family members in one location thus making it easier for these individuals to receive the assistance they need.
Washington has continued to see an increase in partnerships amongst government agencies, the military, National Guard, and community based nonprofits that provide essential support and services. Nonprofits such as the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN), Corporate America Supports You (CASY), RallyPoint/6 (RP/6), and AMVETS have helped Washington provide sustainable resources and programs that provide transitional assistance to our military, veterans, and their families.