Dear Serving Those Who Served Partners and Attendees,
Hello and we hope this message finds you well. We are pleased to share a recap of the 2024 Serving Those Who Served (STWS) Conference, which took place in August at the Spokane Convention Center. Thanks to your support and participation, the event was a tremendous success. We're excited to share some updates from this year’s conference. We have updated the STWS website with all the information you need to stay connected and to catch up on any breakout sessions you may have missed!
This year’s theme focused on Partners in Supporting Veterans and their Families, and we were honored to form a partnership for the first time in STWS history! This year we forged a proud partnership between the Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Employment Security Department (ESD), and Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and we remain united in our commitment to ‘Serving Those Who Served’.
Event Highlights:
- Keynote Speakers: We were honored to have Col. Darel C. Maxfield and comedian Anthony Singleton as this year’s keynote speakers.
- Workshops and Panels: The conference featured a variety of workshops and panel discussions on topics including:
- VA Regional Office Update
- Healing from Military Sexual Trauma: Traditional and Alternative Methods
- Operation Military Culture: Serving Those Who Served Through Empathy and Understanding
- The Creative Forces Network in WA: Path with Art and Dance/Movement Therapy at JBLM, providing attendees with practical tools and knowledge
- WA State Attorney General: Overview/Definition of a Veteran
- Post-traumatic Growth
- Re-Entry Service Tips for Case Managers, Specialists, and Navigators
- Apache Blues: Welcome Home Documentary Film Making
- And many more.
- Networking Opportunities: Attendees had the chance to connect with resource providers, agency leaders, Veteran Service Officer and peers, fostering new relationships and collaborations.
Key Takeaways:
- Statewide Networking: Connecting with peers and experts in veteran services.
- Expert Insights: Gained valuable knowledge on a variety of veteran-related issues.
- Interactive Sessions: Participated in discussions on topics that are focused on veteran benefits, employment best practices, behavioral health, and veterans engaging with art.
Stay Connected—Visit our STWS Website:
- Statistics: Learn more about the total number of attendees, organizations present, resource tables and more!
- Videos—Breakout Sessions: Missed a session or need a refresher? We have you covered, view the video presentations from each breakout session on our STWS website or STWS YouTube Playlist.
- Breakout Session PowerPoint Slides: Follow along with the breakout session videos by downloading any of the PowerPoint slides (Select “Downloads”).
- Photos: View all the networking opportunities, breakout session leaders, keynote speakers and more in the STWS Flickr Photo Album.
- Survey: Let us know what you thought of this year’s conference and how we can continuously improve! Take a few moments to fill out the STWS Conference Survey.
Thank you once again for your continued support and dedication to Serving Those Who Served. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration and to seeing you at next year’s conference.
Best regards,
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, Employment Security Department and Washington State Arts Commission