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Spokane County Regional Veterans Service Center
Spokane County Veterans Services
Spokane County + Surrounding Counties in Eastern Washington and Parts of Idaho
In partnership with Washington State, Spokane County has expanded veteran service outreach using the County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) model. The County also supports other counties in the region, now serving over 7,000 veterans annually compared to around 1,200 previously.
Spokane County transformed its veteran support approach by adopting the CVSO model and creating a regional Veterans Service Center. This shift addressed staffing shortages through strategic partnerships and innovative use of internship programs, such as the VA Work-Study Program and DoD SkillBridge. These initiatives provided veterans and transitioning service members with paid work experience while increasing the county’s service capacity at no cost to local taxpayers.
Key partnerships include:
The program has boosted access to federal VA benefits, created an employment pipeline into county government, and stimulated the local economy.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Limited staffing and skepticism about funding a service officer position. | Leveraged VA Work-Study and DoD SkillBridge interns to expand capacity without additional county salary costs. |
| Service needs-based criteria had not been introduced previously. | Established “one-stop shop” service locations to centralize access. |
Lessons Learned
Impact/Outcomes
“We went from an emergency financial assistance program to a regional veteran services center with eight times the reach.”
“The CVSO model is the best arrangement for meeting the needs of veterans, especially in rural communities.”
