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Commission tours Lacey Veterans Services Hub; staff highlight services and volunteer-run operations
Summary
Commissioners toured the Lacey Veterans Services Hub during the April 3 meeting. Staff outlined on-site services including telehealth rooms, a food bank satellite, legal clinics, veteran service officers, transportation vans and volunteer front-desk operations.
After the commission adjourned the formal business portion, members toured the Lacey Veterans Services Hub and staff gave an on-site briefing on services the hub provides to veterans, active-duty personnel and their families.
City staff and hub volunteers explained the hub functions as a one-stop location for veteran services, hosted in a building owned by South Puget Sound Community College. Staff described partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Thurston County Veterans Assistance Program and nonprofit organizations that deliver services on site.
Tour highlights and services described by staff included:
- A VA presence providing mental-health referrals and connections to VA programs; two telehealth offices available for private appointments, - A computer lab with printing for benefit and housing applications, - Work-service counselors and monthly veteran housing option group (VHOG) meetings that bring multiple providers together to coordinate housing and support services, - Pro bono legal services twice monthly, - A Thurston County Veterans Assistance Program office offering emergency rental and utility assistance and other direct supports, - Volunteer and Disabled American Veterans (DAV)-supported veteran-service-officer help to complete benefit and disability claims, - A food bank satellite with nonperishable and frozen items, hygiene kits and donated supplies, - Two vans that provide door-to-door medical transportation for veterans anywhere in Thurston County and to some regional providers.
Staff noted the hub is run largely by volunteers (more than 20 volunteer front-desk and transportation volunteers) and is jointly managed on site with Thurston County (city staff present Monday and Friday; county staff Tuesday through Thursday). Staff said accessibility upgrades are planned, including an elevator/lift project funded by a congressional grant and planned parking-lot improvements.
Commissioners praised the hub's partnerships and volunteer operations and asked how citizens could review the meeting or revisit details; staff noted the meeting recording is posted on the City of Lacey website under public meetings.
