Resources

Pacific County is grateful for the opportunity to support our Veterans who have served our country with honor.  The Veterans Assistance Program offers temporary financial assistance.

To apply for assistance, contact your local Veterans Post or Veteran Service Officer:

• American Legion Post 150 - 221 Duryea, Raymond 98577 - Contact: 360/942-3034

• American Legion Post 48 - PO Box 686, Ilwaco 98624 - Contact: Teresa Bryan - 360/642-2041              

• VFW Post 3721 - 318 N 2nd, Long Beach 98631 - Contact: 360/642-1228

• VFW Post 968 - 131 Duryea St, Raymond 98577 - Contact: 360/942-3082

See Policies and Procedures for eligibility guidelines. 

For questions regarding the program, please contact Veterans Services Clerk, Amanda Bennett, Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm at (360) 875-9334.

County Services for County Veterans

The Veterans Bureau administers the Veterans' Assistance Fund as mandated by State Law to provide emergency relief to indigent veterans residing in Pierce County. The purpose of the Veteran's Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need. It is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only. 

Partnerships

We also partner with other agencies and organizations to act as a central collection point for the veteran community. 

• The Pierce County Veterans Bureau has the right to verify all information on any application and to share information with other counties to establish statistical data and prevent fraud.
• Assistance is provided in the form of vouchers only. No cash is provided.
• Non-receipt of checks (VA, Social Security, Military Retainer, etc.) is not considered automatic entitlement to assistance.
• The purpose of the Veterans Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need and is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only.

For More Information

For more information about services offered by the Veterans Bureau, call us at (253) 798-7449 or toll free at 1 (800) 992-2456.

Get Verified to do Business with VA

Get verified through the Vets First Verification Program to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program for VA set-asides and sole-source contracts for SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

1. Research and make a plan;
2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

The Veteran’s Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) provides military veterans, and military spouses the education, resources, and supportive environment to use their natural inclinations and skills to innovate and create their own professional lanes through entrepreneurship. VIBE, taps into several Washington regional assets—motivated veterans, a supportive community, a university setting—with the goal of supporting students as they learn about entrepreneurship and turn their ideas into viable businesses.

The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

No cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

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Get Verified to do Business with VA

Get verified through the Vets First Verification Program to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program for VA set-asides and sole-source contracts for SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

1. Research and make a plan;
2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

The Veteran’s Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) provides military veterans, and military spouses the education, resources, and supportive environment to use their natural inclinations and skills to innovate and create their own professional lanes through entrepreneurship. VIBE, taps into several Washington regional assets—motivated veterans, a supportive community, a university setting—with the goal of supporting students as they learn about entrepreneurship and turn their ideas into viable businesses.

The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

County Services for County Veterans

The Veterans Bureau administers the Veterans' Assistance Fund as mandated by State Law to provide emergency relief to indigent veterans residing in Pierce County. The purpose of the Veteran's Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need. It is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only. 

Partnerships

We also partner with other agencies and organizations to act as a central collection point for the veteran community. 

• The Pierce County Veterans Bureau has the right to verify all information on any application and to share information with other counties to establish statistical data and prevent fraud.
• Assistance is provided in the form of vouchers only. No cash is provided.
• Non-receipt of checks (VA, Social Security, Military Retainer, etc.) is not considered automatic entitlement to assistance.
• The purpose of the Veterans Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need and is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only.

For More Information

For more information about services offered by the Veterans Bureau, call us at (253) 798-7449 or toll free at 1 (800) 992-2456.

Kaali T.M. Sill is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Substance Use Disorder Professional in Washington.  She completed her B.A. at Western Washington University and graduated with her Masters of Social Work from Walla Walla University.  She provides individual counseling to adults, children and teens as well as group therapy

Clark D. Ashworth, Ph.D.  Dr. Ashworth is a psychologist licensed in Washington. After a tour in the U.S. Navy (1967 – 72) he completed his education including a doctoral program at the University of Washington. He supervises staff at NorthEast Washington Family Counseling and provides individual, family, and group therapy as well as disability and forensic evaluations.

Ronald E. Graham, LICSWA. Ron is a clinical social worker licensed in Washington. Ron retired from the US Army in 2017 after 25 years and is a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. He completed his graduate program at Eastern Washington University and provides clinical individual, family, and group therapy.

Louis J. DiConti, M.S., is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in Washington. Following service in the Marine Corps Reserve 2004-2012, including two combat tours to Iraq, he completed his education at Eastern Washington University earning his Master of Science in Applied Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling. Louis provides individual and couples therapy at NorthEast Washington Family Counseling. Louis is a person-centered therapist with a passion for assisting individuals achieve a greater sense of empowerment and overall wellbeing. Louis specializes in veteran readjustment.

Deb got her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, with a BA in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound. She worked in community mental health for over 30 years providing mental health therapy to families, adults and children with a special interest in the treatment of trauma. She has worked in multiple settings with a wide variety of individuals of all ages, backgrounds and presenting challenges.

While at the Community Mental Health Center Deb was also involved in program development, program management, and clinical supervision of licensure candidates as well Master’s level students. She is designated in Washington state as a Children’s Mental Health Specialist, an approved clinical supervisor and a Mental Health Professional.

Deb cares for 6 horses on her property, and is actively involved in animal rescue efforts. She frequently fosters horses in need to help them find their forever homes. She became certified in EAGALA in 2021 and is excited to combine 30+ years of professional mental health treatment experience with this valuable and effective treatment option.