Forward2Gether Peer Group

Contact Us:

HeatherLynn Bahme

BS (Retired U.S.Army)
Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program Manager
Office: 509-828-0449
Heather.bahme@dva.wa.gov

Brianna Flott

Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program Specialist
360-536-5268
brianna.flott@dva.wa.gov

Email the Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program at: braininjuryrecovery@dva.wa.gov

Meetings:

Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

🧠 Forward2Gether Peer Group Schedule Our Forward2Gether Peer Group typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Please note: In November, the group will meet on Tuesday, November 18th to accommodate Veterans Day observance.

November 18th, 2025
December 9th, 2025

Additional Information:

Agenda (Bremerton, WA):2025

January: Introduction + Resource Spotlight: WDVA Outreach & Staff Sgt Fox Suicide Prevention Program
February: Purpose: Your Diagnosis doesn’t define you + Resource Spotlight: Veteran Commercial Tobacco Cessation Program
March: Reconnecting life after Brain Injury + Resource Spotlight: VA Claims Quality Assurance
April: It Takes a Village/Community + Resource Spotlight: Issac Peterson - Definition of Community writer + Brain Injury & Recovery Program
May: Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms + Resource Spotlight: Ted Brown: Music Therapy + Veterans Conservation Corps
June: Independence through developing healthy habits + Resource Spotlight: NW Access Fund with Natashia Martin
July: What does Recovery Mean? + Resource Spotlight: UW Medicine - Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine: TBI with Erica Wasmund
August: What does Recovery Mean? part 2 + Resource Spotlight: UW Medicine - Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine: TBI with Erica Wasmund
September: Changing the narrative of Suicide + Resource Spotlight: Suicide Prevention Program with Don Seese
October: Strength & Resilience + Resource Spotlight: Isaac Peterson - Visualization Techniques

Agenda (Elk, WA):2025

April: Introduction Who is the Brain Injury & Recovery Prograrm-Purpose
May: Healing Together: Strength in Community Resource Spotlight: Holly Stenglein- Suicide Prevention Program
June: Strength in Connection: The Power of Peer Support in TBI & PTSD Recovery
August: Scars Beneath the surface: A Peer Conversation on TBI & Resilience + Resource Spotlight: Hunting Vets - Drew Berg
September: Still Here: Stories of Survival, Connection and Courage. + Resources Spotlight SPAM: Holly Stenglein- Suicide Prevention Program
October: Whole-Person Support Through Community Connection: Exploring how local Partnerships and Resources Networks and their families. Resource Spotlight: Spokane County Regional Veterans Service Center- Brad Condon (VSO)

News:

Kiro7 WDVA announces Brain Injury and Recovery Program partnership with Bremerton Elks Lodge – KIRO 7 News Seattle

Flyers

Your Brain Injury and Recovery Program is hosting monthly peer groups for veterans and military families.

Our Veteran Peer Groups assist participants in overcoming obstacles by providing experienced guidance and encouraging general problem-solving abilities.

We welcome veterans, military families and caregivers.
All educational peer groups will be conducted in person. A trained Veteran Peer Group Facilitator will lead each group.
To learn more about the Brain Injury and Recovery Program, visit Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program | WDVA

Kitsap County

Join us for Monthly Peer Groups at Elks Lodge #1181,
4131 Pine Rd NE, Bremerton, WA 98310
Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Spokane County

Join us for Monthly Peer Groups at Elk, WA VFW Post #5924
39716 N Camden Extension RD, Elk, WA 99009
Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Veterans with brain injury deserve connection and community. Our Forward2Gether Peer Groups offer a space to share stories, find support, and build trust among fellow veterans and their families. Join a group near you.