Heidi Audette

This document describes the WDVA SSG Fox Grant Program, which is designed to develop new and innovative approaches to address suicide among veterans. The program aims to explore groundbreaking treatments and services beyond traditional clinician care, such as peer support, case management, referral services, Equine Therapy, and Battlefield acupuncture, to empower veterans and guide them to a better quality of life. It seeks to foster community connections and gather data to identify effective strategies, emphasizing a collaborative community effort.

This document outlines the updated strategic plan for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, covering 2026 to 2029. It maintains the existing mission, vision, values, and four core goals: saving and transforming lives; respecting, empowering, and inspiring everyone; being a leading state in veteran service delivery; and operating effectively and efficiently. Key initiatives include developing a new state cemetery and replacing the veteran's home. The plan emphasizes enhancing services, providing supportive housing, promoting equity and access to earned benefits for veterans, transitioning service members, and their families through collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

This biennial legislative report details Washington State's Governor's Challenge efforts to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). It outlines the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs' (WDVA) 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which aims to reduce veteran suicide by 20% by 2025. The strategic direction focuses on three core priority groups: identifying SMVF and screening for suicide risk, promoting connectedness and improving care transitions, and increasing lethal means safety and safety planning. The report covers activities, outcomes, and future considerations, including the launch of WISR certification, enhanced partnerships, distribution of safety devices, and the upcoming establishment of a Veteran Suicide Mortality Review Committee.

The Washington Department of Veteran's Affairs (WDVA) Strategic Plan 2026-2029 serves as a roadmap to guide the agency's future direction and commitment to serving Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and their families with excellence, innovation, and integrity. The plan is built around four core goals: Save and Transform Lives; Respect, Inspire and Empower Everyone; Be the Leading State in Veterans Service Delivery and Outcomes; and Operate Efficiently and Effectively. It aims to adapt to change, deepen partnerships, and achieve lasting impact by delivering essential services, enhancing performance, and ensuring value for Veterans, their families, partners, and community members.

This strategic plan outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for the WDVA from 2026 to 2029, with a mission of serving those who served and a vision of improving the quality of life for veterans and their families. The plan focuses on several key areas: supporting veterans' services and housing, ensuring employee engagement and development, prioritizing resident wellness and safety, implementing effective programs for positive customer outcomes, ensuring access to benefits, and driving decisions through accountability and transparency. It is underpinned by core values emphasizing saving and transforming lives, leading in service delivery, respecting and empowering individuals, operating efficiently, valuing everyone, fostering a healthy workplace, and maintaining honesty and transparency.