Resources

Welcome FIRST-GEN AND MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS

The Outreach Center is a community and resource space for members of the Seattle University community who identify with the first-generation college student experience and the military-connected student experience.

We acknowledge and affirm our community’s multiple intersecting identities, including low-income, international, undocumented and DACA, and graduate students.

Heather Gebhardt, PhD, ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years experience working with the veteran, active duty, and military family communities. She completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, and completed both her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Seattle Division of the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. Since that time, she has worked in both VA and veteran/military-serving non-profit settings.

Her experience and connection with the military is not only professional, but personal as well. She is the proud spouse of an Air Force Veteran, who retired after a 20-year military career in 2021.  

Dr. Gebhardt is Board Certified in Behavioral & Cognitive Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and specializes in working with adults who are facing a variety of military-related concerns including anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger, or other post-trauma reactions. The treatment approaches she utilizes are evidence-based, meaning they have been found to be effective based on scientific research. 

For more information on Dr. Gebhardt and her approach to therapy, please visit her website!

Welcome to Veterans Services!

Veterans Services provides assistance to students who are entitled to receive educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Whether a student is a new applicant for benefits or has used them at previous institutions, UW Bothell Veterans Services is committed to working in partnership to ensure that the process is simple and well-organized.

Antioch University welcomes military veterans and military-connected students to our campus. We are deeply grateful to those who have served our country in war and peace and honored to have them join our Antioch community.

Wellness, Arts, and the Military (WAM) is part of the ArtsWA Community of Care Initiative. WAM supports the growth of artists and arts organizations who have arts and wellness programs for military connected communities. WAM began in 2017 as a Community Connections Project supported by the NEA Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network. Through summits, convenings, and key partnerships, the WAM program has grown to include arts programming grants, training, funding, and outreach.

Forefront Suicide Prevention is a Center of Excellence at the University of Washington focused on reducing suicide by empowering individuals and communities to take sustainable action, championing systemic change, and restoring hope.  

Welcome!

We are here to support your transition into higher learning by:

• Providing a peer connection for veterans new to higher education.

• Helping the college to meet the needs of student veterans.

• Providing veterans with connections to federal, state or local veterans resources.

The Office of Veterans Services at North Seattle College offers a range of assistance to veterans, reservists, active duty personnel and eligible family members who receive Veteran’s Administration education benefits.

We provide help with any issues having to do with veteran status and serve as a resource for military personnel transitioning into civilian life.

We also offer certification services for anyone eligible for: Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill ® ; Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill ® ; Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation; Chapter 35/ Aid for Eligible Family Members and Chapter 1606/1607 Selective Reservists.

Centralia College is an approved institution for the education and training of veterans, reservists and the children and spouses of deceased or 100% "total and permanently" (with no further exams pending) disabled veterans.

Services Available:

• Assistance with the college application and registration process
• Assistance throughout the education benefit application process
• Notification of enrollment and enrollment changes to the VA
• Help in interpreting, explaining and implementing VA policies and college regulations

Olympic College is a public two-year community college that educates more than 13,000 students a year. Founded in 1946, the college has three campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Shelton and serves a population of 280,000 residents living in Kitsap and Mason Counties. Olympic College Military & Veterans Programs’ mission is to serve Veterans, Active Duty, and their dependents in their educational goals every step of the way. Assisting in Outreach, Enrollment, Transitions, Navigating and processing VA (Veteran Affairs) and DoD (Department of Defense) Benefits, and advising to meet their specific needs.  Military & Veterans Programs (MVP) Support Center provides a centralized location for Active Duty, Veterans, and their dependents to obtain assistance with their education benefits, receive tutoring, have computer and printer access and the ability to work closely with military success coaches, support specialist, Vet Corps and VA certifying officials. The MVP Benefits Office provides a wide number of services, with a focus on students who are accessing benefits from the Department of VA, Department of Defense-Education, and Washington State.

MVP is also a partner PAVE campus. PAVE is a peer support program that connects incoming student veterans with student veterans already on campus to help them navigate college life, identify challenges they face, refer them to appropriate resources on or off-campus, and provide ongoing support. Through peer support from other student veterans on campus, PAVE builds on the camaraderie veterans' experience in the military to create a sense of community and connectedness that contributes to academic and personal success.

Path with Art offers multi-disciplinary arts programming, offered quarterly with a specific emphasis on the veteran experience. Our programming is guided by the Veterans’ Program Steering Committee which is composed of veterans and community members who work with veterans.

All veterans are eligible for our programming. Our programming is free for all participants.

The CPTC Veterans Resource Center is a place for veterans and their family members to connect with other veterans and non-veterans to create and learn about community resources within the college and surrounding communities. In addition, the center provides services specifically designed for veterans.  It is not just an office, but rather a place where veterans can find and build their community within the college. 

In addition to the CPTC Vet Corp Veterans Navigator, Peer Navigators are available to assist current and prospective military-connected students with accessing benefits as well as providing referrals to a number of campus and community resources with the goal of helping veterans balance their academic and personal demands. Specific services include:  

• Tutoring 
• Support for veterans' student group 
• Activities for veteran and military students and their families 
• Public presentations and speakers 
• Workshops for veteran and military students 
• Faculty and staff training 
• Food pantry 
  
  The Veterans Resource Center is located in Building 2, Room 109 on the Lakewood Campus. 

Lower Columbia College is committed to ensuring that all veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and their families have access to the educational benefits and resources entitled to them.

The Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) at UW Tacoma serves as a resource for students providing support and referrals throughout campus and our community. The VMRC is also responsible for developing and offering campus programming that benefits our military-connected students. The VMRC comprises two staff: the Veteran and Military Services Staff and the Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) Staff.

The Veteran and Military Services Staff is here to help military veterans and their dependents access their VA educational benefits and Washington state tuition waivers. Our benefits advisors can provide you with general benefit information as well as certify your educational services.

As a veteran, member of active duty military personnel or dependent, you may qualify for a variety of resources to help you pay for your education as well as other services that may help you to achieve your educational goals. Benefits include:

• 50 percent off tuition waiver for qualified military personnel and veterans
• Early registration for veterans each quarter
• Easily transferable credits
• Courses taught on campus, online and through distance learning programs
• College Transfer program and Professional/Technical programs
• Active and diverse campus dedicated to student success
• Dedicated staff aimed at supporting veterans during the transition and in the path for college success.

Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding More than a Veteran supportive campus.

For the past 6 years, since NWSWB officially enrolled to become a veteran supportive campus with WDVA, we have grown, learned and adapted over the passing days. I stand 4th in line as the Vetcorps representative for our school, which is tucked away in Port Hadlock, WA. The passing of the position has been a serene service from veteran student to veteran student. Chiefly, with the support of the school, staff, and all students we interact with, everyone is keen to support all veterans at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Part of the reasoning: the school itself is greatly invested in the surrounding community and cultures.

Having attended multiple educational institutes across the U.S. I have had my share of what, “I” thought schools were like, as a veteran supportive campus. That is until I enrolled in NWSWB back in 2018. Once the selection process has been made, which happens quickly but with much deliberation, all staff reach out and contact the selected students and veteran students. I was contacted by the then, Vetcorps team member. Letting me know, and ensuring there is and will be a veteran on campus to assist with any questions and concerns. I was contacted multiple times, via email, phone calls, even letters USPS.

The amount of effort and stamina the school gives every year to all students. New, returning, and veterans. Goes beyond what a supportive campus is. Port Hadlock,WA is a very small town next to multiple tiny towns on the peninsula. People come from all over the globe to attend our school programs, including service members about to exit the United States Military. And no matter where you are coming from, moving to a small community, even from a small town, can be, and is, trying. The School sets ALL students first, and communicates with everyone about moving to the peninsula with a clear and honest picture.

The full reason I chose to become a VC rep. after they asked if I would join the schools team was the fact they want no gaps in communication and interaction with current local veterans, veteran students and any veteran interested in our programs. NWSWB works with and supports the Vetcorps representative in the new school year and through. All school staff listen and participate in any and all training seminars held by the current Vetcorps member. NWSWB Executive Director has a huge part and heart for the veterans that attend here. They ensure all are being heard and listen to on a daily basis. One big precedent of Veteran supportive Campus institutions involves providing a space for Veterans. The space is intended for resources, communication, meditation, and gatherings. When NWSWB was accepted as a “VSC”, the school created a space for the Veterans. Called the “Veterans Loft”. With all the High energy to set up a Vet space, a few ideas arose.  The campus heard, listened, and walked the talk. With the aid of current Veteran students, Veteran instructor, and the Vet Corps member. We worked with the Executive Director and found a location suited for our new “Veteran Student Resource Center”.

NWSWB-VSRC is fully furnished and equipped for all students to utilize to the fullest. NWSWB provided resources, time, equipment, material, and assistance for setting up our VSRC to be ready for the first class back in March 2021. They allowed myself and the other Veteran students to partake in setting up the space for all to feel welcomed. With the effort and flexibility of all the staff and instructors at Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. It has allowed myself and our Veteran Students to tend to what has to be. The confidence the school has in every Vetcorps member that comes through. Allows us to work with the veteran students more freely and openly. While it maybe going into there perspective shop, setting up a meet and greet with our local Vetconnect aid, Rita Frangoni. Allowing the students to attend any and all events held out of school,during school hours. But also, NWSWB, like said before. Are heavily invested in our surrounding community and sister schools. As a VC member. My duty is to serve those who served. And that doesn’t stop at Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. I assist Port Townsen School of Woodworking veteran students when needed. I work with NWSWB in setting up a relation with PTSWW to stay in contact with students. In which, I believe helps more then the community. It helps a human in more ways then we know.

Virginia Kathleen Cailleteau is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Washington state. After completing her Master of Social Work at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA (2006-2007), Virginia has worked in a wide array of settings including rural and urban/suburban community mental health, wraparound services for children and youth, and clinical work as a Department of Defense contractor. She has practiced social work in Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington.

Virginia deeply appreciates her family’s heritage of military and governmental service, and honors the friendship of several Post-9/11 veterans as significant influences in her life. As a result, Virginia understands both the day-to-day and long-lasting impacts of military service. She is a graduate of Hakomi somatic-based training, and also has some training in Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and other therapeutic approaches. Virginia currently splits her time between Horses Guiding Humans (an equine assisted therapy program in Graham) and a private office practice in Olympia, celebrating the unique gifts of both practice settings.

Seattle Pacific University’s military roots span generations among students who have served honorably around the world. Today we welcome a new wave of veterans and have military-friendly resources to serve our veterans and their dependents as they embark on their educational journey at SPU.  SPU continues to partner with the WDVA to cultivate a veteran friendly education atmosphere and present opportunities and avenues to success for veteran students. 

Some of the services we offer include:

• Priority registration for all active duty, reserve members, veterans, and eligible family members

• Use of the Veterans Resource Center facility

• Help determining tuition discount eligibility

• Connection with the campus community V.E.T.S. Club

• Help accessing and understanding GI Bill® benefits

• Military transcript evaluation

• Veteran specific academic advising

• Access to on-site Vet Corps representative for assistance navigating the Shoreline system and off-campus resources

• Referrals for disability resources, mental health & wellness counseling, and community resources

• Academic Scholarships for Shoreline Student Veterans

GOT YOUR 6

GOT YOUR 6 (GY6) is a campus wide initiative for faculty and staff that focuses on the challenges our student veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life and how our campus community can support them.

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs helps connect veterans and their family members to the benefits and services they earned through their military service. 

Our Central Office is located in Olympia and includes a Veterans Service Center as well as administrative support for all agency programs.

WDVA offers long-term care in our four State Veteran Homes (the Washington Soldiers Home, the Washington Veterans Home, the Spokane Veterans Home, and the Walla Walla Veterans Home) for honorably discharged veterans, and in some cases, their spouses. 

The Veterans Services and Counseling and Wellness Divisions provide claims assistance as well as counseling services for veterans and their family members.  And our State Veterans Cemetery honors veterans in their final resting place.

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

We empower entrepreneurs, veterans, and people in rural areas to thrive and create financial well-being for themselves. Over the past 20 years, we’ve provided financial training, business training, business technical assistance, and microloans. We support people who are interested in starting or growing a small business, in order to create income for themselves and their families. In this way, we build communities in the many counties in Washington that we serve. 

We serve individuals living in or who have businesses in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pierce (agriculture) Grays Harbor, Pacific, Clallam, Wahkiakum and Jefferson Counties in Washington.

Veterans: All programs are FREE and available to Veterans in Washington State thanks to funding from the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs

The Small Business Association has released proposed regulations to implement the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018 and is currently seeking public comment. Comments must be received by March 23, 2020. See the proposed rules for more information. See Frequently Asked Questions about the act. 

About the act

On April 16, 2018, the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018, (S.2679), was introduced to amend the Small Business Act directing the SBA to give access to and manage the distribution of U.S.- owned surplus property, pursuant to a memorandum of agreement between the SBA, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the head of the state agency for surplus properties, to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans.

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

1. Research and make a plan;
2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

The Veteran’s Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) provides military veterans, and military spouses the education, resources, and supportive environment to use their natural inclinations and skills to innovate and create their own professional lanes through entrepreneurship. VIBE, taps into several Washington regional assets—motivated veterans, a supportive community, a university setting—with the goal of supporting students as they learn about entrepreneurship and turn their ideas into viable businesses.

Get Verified to do Business with VA

Get verified through the Vets First Verification Program to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program for VA set-asides and sole-source contracts for SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

No cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

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The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

Learn about education programs and compare benefits by school.

Washington Career Bridge - Home to over 5,000 education programs, career exploration, data on wages, and more! 

Reach your career goals with Career Bridge

Career Bridge is Washington's one-stop source for career and education planning.

1. Explore Careers--See how your talents align with a career by taking a quiz.
2. View Job Trends--Next, discover if a career is growing and how much it pays.
3. Find Education--Finally, search nearly 6,000 education programs to find locations and costs, whether students got jobs, what industries they went to work in, and how much they were paid.

With Career Bridge, you'll also discover:

• Average earnings and employment outlook for each career.
• Hot jobs for the future.
• What you'll need to learn to get those jobs.
• How to pay for your education.

Career Bridge is also home of the state's Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List.

This site was created by the state's Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, a partnership of business, labor, and government dedicated to helping Washington residents prepare for and land living-wage jobs, while meeting employers' needs for skilled workers.

Now find the education and training you need to get the job you want.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges advocates, coordinates and directs Washington state’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges.

Federal Legislation Related to Women Veterans

• P.L. 106-419, “Veterans Benefits and Healthcare Improvement Act of 2000,” authorized special monthly compensation for women Veterans with a service connected mastectomy.  It also authorized benefits to children born of mothers who served in Vietnam and who have certain types of birth defects.

• P.L. 107-330, “Veterans Benefits Act of 2002,” authorized special monthly compensation for women Veterans who lost 25 percent or more of tissues from a single breast or both breast in combination (including loss by mastectomy or partial mastectomy) or has received radiation of breast tissues.

• P.L. 108-422, “Veterans Health Improvement Act&rduqo; authority permanently to extend Military Sexual Trauma counseling and treatment to active duty service members or active duty for training.

• P.L. 110-186, “Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act” established a Women Veterans business Training Resource Program.

• P.L. 111-163, “Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010,” provides contract for a comprehensive study on barriers to health care for women Veterans, pilot program to provide group readjustment counseling in retreat settings for newly separated women combat Veterans, mandates inclusion of recently separated women on Advisory Committees for Women Veterans, and requires VHA to carry out a 2 year pilot program to assess feasibility and advisability of offering child care to Veterans

What is military sexual trauma counseling?

Military sexual trauma counseling may include individual or group counseling, marital and family counseling, referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies or substance abuse information and referral to help you deal with the emotions of military sexual trauma and regain confidence in your everyday life.

Am I eligible for military sexual trauma counseling?

Any Veteran, or Service member to include members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who was sexually traumatized while serving in the military is eligible to receive counseling regardless of gender or era of service.

Where are services available?

Assessment and referral for MST-related counseling is available at all Vet Centers. Onsite counseling is available at selected Vet Centers across the country. In addition, MST-related medical and mental health services are available at your local VA Medical Center and can be accessed by contacting the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator or your existing VA healthcare provider.

The nation’s almost 20 million veterans have a variety of programs to aid in their success – from wellness to housing to financial aid. But the sheer volume (more than 45,000 private groups and hundreds of government programs) can be overwhelming to navigate. Compounding the problem is that many of these programs take a silo approach, only tackling one problem instead of providing a comprehensive set of solutions.

That’s the role that Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services plays – serving as the connective thread to break down barriers and connect individuals and organizations with easily accessible solutions that veterans and military families need to access meaningful employment, education, housing, and wellness. We work at local and national levels in five focus areas:

• Workforce development and career placement
• Housing solutions
• Wellness research and development
• Expanding funding streams for veteran entrepreneurs
• Advancing impact via service networks

About the Program 

VA Puget Sound offers comprehensive care for women Veterans. We pride ourselves on providing excellent care for women Veterans in our stand-alone clinics at both American Lake and Seattle Divisions and at our community clinics. These facilities provide a unique setting that is private, respectful and convenient.

We respect patients’ preferences regarding provider gender, for health care and mental health care.  We look forward to meeting your health care needs.

Services Offered

• alcohol and drug abuse treatment
• cervical cancer screening
• colposcopy
• evaluation and treatment for trauma
• incontinence treatment
• mammography
• menopause management
• mental health services 
• osteoporosis evaluation and treatment
• primary care
• reproductive benefits
• trauma recovery
• screening for HIV/STDs
• social work

Mental health services, including treatment for post traumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma are also available. Treatment for substance abuse is available as well.

Patients will be referred to community providers for any service not available at VA Puget Sound.