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Island County officials report surge in veteran benefits after adding second VSO; program seeks outreach to isolated vets
Summary
Island County Human Services officials told the Oak Harbor City Council on Nov. 5 that adding a second veterans services officer (VSO) this year dramatically increased claim success and benefit dollars reaching local veterans. Staff described outreach methods, program services, and unmet needs such as social isolation among aging veterans.
Bill Larson, Island County Human Services deputy director and program manager for Veterans Services, told the Oak Harbor City Council on Nov. 5 that Island County has the highest number of veterans per capita of Washington’s 39 counties and now averages about 17.6% of residents as military veterans.
Larson said the county created a designated veterans services officer position in September 2023 and later added a second VSO. “When you do something great for people, they tend to tell their friends,” Larson said, describing an early caseload surge that prompted the additional hire. He identified the VSO team in the chamber as Zach (Veterans Services Officer), David McInnis (Veterans Services Officer) and Tyler (veterans service coordinator) and invited…
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