A brief survey of veterans assisted by the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center last month found that most were pleased with the services they received, but would like to see more counseling, outreach and housing assistance.
The review was conducted Aug. 23 and detailed in a letter to Judy Russel, president of the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center from Samantha Whitley, veterans program coordinator of Clark County Community Services.
“The purpose of this monitoring was to review the center’s process for providing financial assistance and other resources to veterans,” Whitley wrote. “The scope of the monitoring included observing and interviewing staff, as well as subsequent phone interviews with veterans who had previously received assistance through the (Veterans Assistance Fund) to hear their feedback about the quality of service they received.”
Whitley recorded her observations at the center for two hours, including interactions with staff and the services sought by veterans within that time frame. They included a veteran seeking food assistance, another seeking housing assistance, two looking for bus passes, one looking for help with her mortgage payment and another looking for help with utility payments. Center staff also assisted a veteran widow filing a claim.
After visiting the office, Whitley randomly contacted five of the veterans who had been served in July. They all had positive comments, she wrote, but also pointed to three ways the office could improve: more affordable housing assistance, links to more counseling resources outside the VA, and better marketing and outreach efforts.
Whitley told The Columbian she had conducted three prior reviews of the Veterans Assistance Center — in 2014, 2015, and 2016 — but this was the first time she visited in person.
“In previous years, I just reviewed the files,” Whitley said. “Real black and white, check the boxes. I didn’t see how they provided services.”
Visiting in person offered a valuable perspective, she said.
“That’s a tough job. They were hopping the whole time I was there,” Whitley said.
Clark County Community Services monitors all of the contracts it gives money to, including youth programs, affordable housing programs and developmental disabilities programs, as well as resources to curb homelessness and substance abuse.
The veterans center received $638,197 for the 2018 calendar year.
“There’s always a huge need, and they’re always doing good work,” Whitley said.
The county’s Veterans Advisory Board plans to discuss the contents of the review at its upcoming meeting 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Room 680.
