Nikkia Council Daniels, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, briefed lawmakers on FY24 federal veteran demographic data and ODVA’s priorities. "As of September 2024, nearly 260,000 veterans call Oregon home," Daniels said, noting that 77% served during a wartime era and that more than half of Oregon veterans are age 65 or older.

Daniels told the committee ODVA relies on federal VA data for statewide numbers but is pursuing its own data capabilities to identify veterans who are not connected to benefits. She said ODVA recently secured a position focused on data management and that the agency is working with the DMV and federal partners to improve outreach. "If we've got 260,000 veterans and less than 100,000 of them are connected to their veteran benefits, that leaves that other two‑thirds…who have not for whatever reason," she said.

On benefits, Daniels highlighted that federal expenditures in Oregon totaled about $4.2 billion in FY24, including roughly $2 billion in VA health‑care spending and $165 million per month in disability compensation and pension payments distributed to veterans. Daniels said ODVA and the VSO network facilitate access to these federal resources and that the agency plans more targeted outreach to racially and ethnically diverse veterans and women veterans, both growing population segments.

Members asked about counting houseless veterans and connecting them to services; Daniels said the federal PIT (point‑in‑time) counts inform estimates and ODVA is coordinating with HUD and community partners on data and outreach. The committee did not take legislative action during the informational briefing.