Acting DIRECTOR Mitch Sparks
United We Serve
I
t is an exciting time for veteran services in Oregon. Last year, following the public’s resounding support of Measure 96 — which dedicated 1.5 percent of net Lottery revenues to better serve Oregon veterans — the governor and the Legislature worked together to deliver a historic investment in the state’s veteran resources. Their budget allocated $26.1 million for the 2017-2019 biennium — the largest investment in veteran services in the state’s history, and more than double that of the previous biennium. Their bold actions guaranteed greater access and improved outcomes for veterans in their health care, education and economic opportunity, and we are already starting to see their investment pay dividends. Our leaders put an emphasis on investing in one of the most important and unique assets in the state’s veteran resource landscape: our network of highly trained and experienced veteran service officers, which stretches across Oregon, with at least one office in every county. The state’s 2017-2019 budget doubled funding for veteran service offices and national service organizations in Oregon, which will directly translate to more trained VSOs, more office hours, more appointments and more resources for veterans and their families, in their local communities. Of particular interest to Marion County residents is the news that the county will be opening its own dedicated veteran service office later this year. For many years, ODVA has served Marion County veterans out of our own offices in Salem, and we are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with the county and with Mid-Valley Community Action Agency on this new venture. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the veteran community, mental health funding remains a top priority, and ODVA is grateful to be partnering with the Oregon Health Authority to disburse $2.5 million that has been dedicated to veteran behavioral services and to help veterans in crisis.
On a different but equally critical front, we are partnering with the housing experts at Oregon Housing and Community Services on how to best leverage $1.5 million in new funding to fight veteran homelessness in our state. Our partners are our greatest asset. That’s why we are so excited about two substantial new grant opportunities that were made possible in the Legislature’s veteran funding package. The first established a grant fund to secure veteran student success and expand campus veteran resource centers. These centers are crucial in helping veterans transition from military service and succeed in their educational goals, and this grant funding made a critical $1 million investment in veteran resource centers at 14 of Oregon’s public universities and community colleges. The second grant fund allocated $550,000 for targeted investments in key projects to improve veterans’ access to transportation, housing, health care and other critical services across the state. Ten outstanding proposals were selected for funding, all of them submitted by nonprofits, governmental and community organizations that are already providing incredible and much-needed services to Oregon veterans and their families. As the ODVA team continues its work to implement Lottery-funded programs, I am astounded by the dedication and creativity of those who work on the front lines of veteran services, both in our network of veteran service offices and in our many partner agencies across the state. They have demonstrated, time and time again, their willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes to ensure every single veteran receives the very best in care, benefits and opportunity our state can provide. It is my privilege and honor to work with them every day.
Our partners are our greatest asset.
