PORT TOWNSEND — An outreach program developed in Jefferson County to connect veterans across the North Olympic Peninsula with available resources is providing a template for how such services should be provided nationwide.
“There is a new emphasis on the federal level to help veterans who are coming home and are disabled or have become traumatized or can’t find meaningful employment,” said Tim Hockett, Olympic Community Action Programs executive director.
“These folks need help.”
OlyCAP is administering the program in both Jefferson and Clallam counties under the auspices of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
The program, called Vet Connect, has received a $6,000 federal grant to support the program.
The program was labeled as a significant need — which means the allocation is permanent and will not be revoked.
Last week, program officials hosted a representative from the Office of Management and Budget and two representatives from the Corporation for National and Community Service who said they intended to apply the idea to other communities around the country.
RSVP Director Bob Logue left that meeting and returned to his office to receive a call from the Montana Governor’s Office asking how to establish a similar program in that state.
The program, which began in June, now has 15 volunteers calling Peninsula veterans, asking them what they need and directing them to services.
“It’s one shame for someone to do without, but it’s a horrible shame if there is a service for them and they don’t know about it,” Hockett said.
“We have received information through Work Source and other organizations that veterans are not receiving all the services they have earned and deserve,” Logue said.
“People who have served our country and put their lives at risk at least deserve to know what’s there for them, and this is just a special effort.”
There are about 14,000 veterans on the Peninsula. That is the highest per capita percentage of veterans in the nation, according to Veterans Administration data supplied by Hockett.
Hockett said that after the high stress of battle, many veterans seek a more peaceful environment.
“It’s more peaceful in rural environments, and you are less likely to be on anyone’s official radar screen,” he said.
“There are folks who have an aversion to busy society and want to get away from it all,” he said.
“They go off into the woods and live by themselves in a little trailer.”
The volunteers work from a list of about 160 local services available locally, which can be hard to track.
Logue said many veterans are unaware of the most basic services, such as getting educational benefits.
“I followed up on a call from a vet who wanted to go to school on the GI Bill, and he had no idea where to go or what to do,” he said.
“So it was just a few phone calls, and we got this gentleman hooked up and in school for the fall.”
The program is seeking volunteers to make veteran outreach calls from their homes as well as veterans who want to be connected with services.
In Jefferson County, phone Logue at 360-385-2571, ext. 6324. The Clallam County contact is Mike McEvoy at 360-457-2129.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
