May 2007

BUDGET UPDATE
Along with the bills listed above, the 2007 Legislature also passed the 2-year operating and capital budgets.
In addition to existing programs serving veterans and their families in Washington State, WDVA will be able to do the following:
Serving Veterans and Families in their Communities:
$1.3 million and 4 staff to expand the Veterans Enhancement Project. This WDVA and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) partnership identifies veterans & families being served by DSHS programs who could qualify for more robust veterans benefits administered by the Federal VA. This collaborative effort will result in savings to DSHS programs.
Providing Conservation Corps Opportunities:
$1.3 million and 1.5 staff to expand the Veterans Conservation Corps. This pilot expansion of the VCC, as described by SSB 5164 will work with community and technical colleges to provide training and certification for veterans who perform full-time volunteer conservation work. Each year, 30-40 veterans will be eligible for educational stipends or contracts to perform conservation work. $340,000 of the total $1.3 million in funding is to continue the VCC program begun in the 2005-07 biennium.
Honoring Veterans in their Final Resting Place:
$206,000 from the General Fund and $7.8 million from the Capital Budget to establish the Eastern Washington State Veterans Cemetery. A Cemetery Director position is also provided. This initiative has been the top priority for the veterans’ community. WDVA plans to break ground on the cemetery in November 2008, and open the facility in November 2009.
Helping Schools Serve Military Kids:
$50,000 to create the Operation Military Kids partnership to develop and provide information to teachers and schools about the impact on families of post traumatic stress and war trauma. The program will help educators serve nearly 8,000 school-age children whose parents are currently deployed or returning from active duty.
Healing the Seen & Unseen Wounds of War:
$200,000 for additional Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Honoring our Commitment to Veterans at State Veterans Homes:
$1.7 million and 15.4 full-time equivalent employees are provided to ensure the State Veterans Homes meet the federal hours of care requirements.  These additional staff members will ensure veterans in our Homes continue to receive the highest quality of care.
Helping Homeless Veterans
$612,000 from the State General Fund, $711,000 in Federal Funds and 4.5 full-time equivalent employees are provided to help homeless veterans move toward independent living through a transitional housing program.  The program will assist up to forty veterans at a time with assessment, treatment, education and job search activities.  This program is scheduled to begin serving veterans by September 2007.
Assisting Veteran-Owned Businesses:
$35,000 is provided to implement Senate Bill 5253, Veteran Owned Businesses. WDVA will develop a registry and website of veteran-owned businesses and create a decal for such businesses.
The total 2007-2009 operating budget for WDVA is $110 million, a 20% increase from the 2005-2007 biennium! 
This budget will allow WDVA to continue providing the level and quality of service our veterans deserve and also re-affirms the state’s commitment to Serving Those Who Served!