HOOD RIVER — Starting July 20, the Hood River County Veteran Service Office (HRCVSO) will be located inside the Hood River County Health Department at 1109 June St., a move from its original location in the Hood River County Courthouse.
The HRCVSO is the county’s only established veteran service office. Funded by the county and the Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), it provides community members with a variety of services, such as aid in navigating the Department of Veteran Affairs system and occasional local gatherings.
Daron Ryan, the health department’s public health project manager and public information officer, has been ushering the shift. The health department merged with the Veteran Service Office last year, but only recently initiated the move.
“It’s nice for them to have their own space, but that’s also a space that’s not very accessible and they’re pretty removed,” Ryan said. “It’s a really small division as well, and so they would benefit a lot from like our internal services here at the health department.”
Last year, the health department absorbed the prevention department as well. Now, there are four divisions of the health department: public health, environmental health, prevention, and veteran services.
The intent is that the overlap of the departments would benefit those who are seeking multidisciplinary support and to connect veterans to other services the health department provides. While facilitating the move, Ryan explained her experience in learning that “veteran” is not a monolithic identity, and that different individuals may benefit from other departmental programs.
“I think sometimes we think that a veteran is of a certain demographic or a certain age, or has a certain type of lived experience,” she said. “And what I’m learning is that, in our community and all communities, there’s veterans of all different ages and backgrounds. So it’s a really interesting and cool challenge to try and create services for the whole variety that is the veteran experience.”
There will be no cuts to the services the program currently offers, and all current health department staff members have received training regarding information on veteran services, as well as access to VA online portals. Half of all staff is bilingual in Spanish and English, including the entirety of the front desk team. There is a ramp leading up to the building’s back door right next to the new HRCVSO office, which will be occupied by the Veteran Service Officer Lynetta Hickman.
The move will also cut costs, although there are some other matters Ryan is hoping to address.
Concern has been raised regarding accessibility for those who utilize Columbia Area Transit, as the office’s previous location was located on the same street as a designated stop, while the new office is closest to a stop three blocks away. It’s something the health department team is looking to work around by inquiring if public transit can bring veterans directly to the building instead.
Outreach and visibility in the Gorge is another area the health department is looking to improve amidst the change. Citing the success of their American 250 celebration on June 27, Ryan emphasized the importance of reaching the community, and how that will be made possible with the involvement of the health department.
Ryan said, “We know that sometimes social isolation can be a theme among, especially older veterans. And so, what are the ways in which we can be a gathering space, or we can host gathering spaces, for veterans to come together and connect over their shared experience, too?” With the extra staff, “There’s a lot of hands here who are happy to help.”
The health department’s north entrance vestibule remains unlocked to the public 24/7, and contains a needle drop and a supply of Naloxone. More information on resources and updates on upcoming events is available on the HRCVSO website, www.hoodrivercounty.gov/veterans, as well as the Hood River County Health Department’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
•••
Our journalism needs your support. Read more and subscribe at columbiagorgenews.com.
Commented