Clark County Council mulls long-term investment, funding to add two positions at veterans assistance center
The Clark County Council is considering increased funding to provide mental health services to veterans.
On Wednesday, members of the Clark County Veterans Advisory Board asked councilors to increase funding by about $222,400 to create two full-time positions at the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center - a mental health therapist and case manager.
"These two professional entities would save community dollars over the long haul," said Buck Marr, vice chair of the board. "Case managers are similar to a link in a chain - connecting problems to solutions."
Needed resource
The Clark County Veterans Assistance Center is a key service provider for veterans in the community, speakers said Wednesday. Although the center lacks trained interventionists, its staff and volunteers still respond to mental health crises.
Recently, assistance center volunteers consoled a veteran who was living in her car with her two children. They also talked another veteran out of suicide in the center's parking lot.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 41 percent of veterans have some type of mental health condition. The assistance center's leaders say they see about 40 veterans a month and estimated 15 likely have a mental health condition.
A report from America's Warrior Partnership estimates that 44 veterans die by suicide per day.
On Wednesday, veterans told councilors that many veterans in the community experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and traumatic brain injuries.
Marr said funding for the two positions would be a long-term investment. He said the positions would reduce public spending by helping veterans get support before issues escalate into costly crises or require emergency services.
According to Wednesday's presentation, the proposed case manager would save $3 to $5 in publicly funded dollars for every $1 used.
"Our deep dive in the serious issue irrefutably shows timely access to mental health care combined with the continuing of a case manager reduces reliance on back-end high-cost medical services," Marr said.
The proposal would use the county's Veterans Assistance Levy, a state-mandated property tax. Supporters said tapping the levy would provide stable long-term funding for the positions.
Council members showed support for the proposal and suggested veterans assistance staff pursue funding from Clark County's mental health sales tax.
"Being able to provide mental health services for folks that need it, in a location that makes sense and around people that they trust is huge," Councilor Glen Yung said.
Judy Russel, president of the veterans assistance center, said the organization plans to apply to the county for funding from the sales tax.
"I think in order to continue supporting our veterans and community members, it's essential that we take a step in the right direction and fund this program long-term," Councilor Wil Fuentes said.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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