Skamania County veterans update: VA outreach seeks HMIS access as county reports jump in claims and events

The Skamania County Board of Commissioners heard an update on veterans services at a February meeting where a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outreach worker urged closer data-sharing and county staff reported rising use of the county’s Veterans Relief Fund.

Alan Martinez, outreach social worker for the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans program in Southwest Washington, told the commissioners he covers seven counties including Skamania and asked the county for a durable communication pathway so the VA can identify and serve veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. “If I had access to [HMIS] I could pull the veterans and I could specifically work with them,” Martinez said, referring to the Homeless Management Information System used in coordinated entry systems.

The ask matters because Martinez said rural gaps exist where neither urban VA teams nor other regional homeless programs consistently identify veterans; he described the county’s Veterans Relief Fund as a practical local source to find low-income veterans but said he prefers working from HMIS rather than “scraping data.” Martinez also described the VA community reintegration services umbrella, which includes veterans justice outreach, employment programs, transitional housing (GPD), HUD‑VASH (a Section 8 housing voucher program), and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans outreach line.

Shannon, the county’s veteran service officer and American Legion VSO, gave a financial and program update on the Veterans Relief Fund and outreach. She told commissioners that in February 2024 the fund received $93,177 in taxes and paid out $84,900, and that year‑to‑date receipts were about $27,800 as of mid‑February. She reported the county office had submitted 62 claims and was actively working with roughly 49 veterans at the time of the meeting; the office said it had expanded its tracking to about 293 Skamania County veterans and 49 Clark County veterans. “Veterans are definitely coming in,” Shannon said.

Shannon described services and outcomes: nine claims involving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), CHAMPVA or burial matters; eight veterans enrolled in VA medical benefits; and five veterans assisted with housing moves because “Skamania County does not have anywhere for people” to move into locally. She said the office helped prepare four active‑duty separation packages and continues outreach through partnerships including the American Legion. A volunteer partnership with the Elks Club supported a previous veterans stand‑down event; Shannon said she has paperwork filed to hold another stand‑down in September and has gained access to surplus military clothing and equipment distributions for veterans.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical limits on formalizing county positions that would coordinate with the VA. Martinez and county staff agreed that many local veterans roles are grant‑funded or contract‑based and any changes to a contractor’s statement of work would require state approval or amendment. Robert, identified in the meeting as the county auditor, said positions funded through state grants must avoid duties outside the state statement of work unless the state approves an amendment.

Officials asked about the point‑in‑time count; Martinez said veteran counts are included in the regular point‑in‑time methodology and that a local coalition (referred to in the meeting as WAGAP) gathers official figures. Commissioners also raised whether the VA liaison function should be tied to the county’s Veterans Advisory Board to keep continuity despite staff turnover.

The update included community outreach plans: a cemetery headstone cleaning event covering city and county cemeteries on April 19 (community day) and on Earth Day, April 22, and a planned veterans stand‑down in September. Shannon also said the office produces a newsletter, a veteran‑owned business spotlight and is compiling an annual report of veterans’ benefits dollars coming into the county; she said a colleague estimated roughly $600,000 in tax‑free veteran benefit dollars were brought into the community in a prior year and that the office will produce an annual figure going forward.

No formal board action was taken on data‑sharing or staffing changes during the meeting. The board adjourned at the end of the session.

The veterans update combined county staff reporting with a VA request for clearer access to homeless‑services data and next steps discussed included exploring a formal liaison role (potentially tied to the Veterans Advisory Board) and reviewing grant or contract language before changing duties for grant‑funded positions.