Military resource providers will have the opportunity to experience a "first-of-its-kind" conference for anyone who serves those who have served.

The Veterans Training Support Center (VTSC) is partnering with Washington Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct the Serving Those Who Served Conference at the Yakima Convention Center on May 25 and May 26.

"Serving Those Who Served is the first-of-its-kind conference for Washington state and truly marks an historic event," said Washington Department of Veterans Affairs' Behavioral Health Program Director, Peter Schmidt.  "This event promotes the opportunity for anyone who works with veterans and their families to establish connections and future collaboration to each other."

It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes an entire community to assist veterans and their families during their transition to civilian life.

The purpose of the conference is to enhance collaboration and connection of all those who work with veterans and their families.  

"Participants are able to attend a wide variety of trauma-informed care workshops taught by professionals in the field, and as a result they return to their place of work with an even greater capacity to serve their population," said Schmidt.  

Professional development will be provided in areas that impact the lives of our veterans and their families: Benefits, Education, Employment, Financial, Housing and Mental Health with two additional topics on Military Culture and Justice-Involved Veterans.

There will be roughly four sessions within each track with two additional workshops recently added on military culture and justice-involved veterans.

"The conference will promote the opportunity to make new and unique connections and collaborations with others from across the state," said Schmidt.

Forging new connections and creating opportunities for future collaborations is a centerpiece theme for the upcoming conference for good reason.

"These connections to each other strengthens the fabric of support and resources that are available," said Schmidt.

Information is power and the more empowered we become the more empowered our veterans become through the services provided to them.

"Everyone who participates in this conference can be guaranteed to become an even greater champion in understanding the needs of veterans and those services available to them," said Schmidt.

With the goal of empowering participants to become greater veteran liaisons to the communities they serve.

"This conference is happening because of the dedication and commitment of many professionals," said Schmidt.  "They have agreed to prepare and deliver workshops on many key topics that will empower providers to serve their veteran population ... sharing of their knowledge will empower us all."

Anyone who serves veterans and their families in any capacity can register now at http://veteranstrainingsupportcenter.org/index.php/calendar_main/event/515/.

"The bottom line for any conference of this nature is that folks will become more informed, empowered, and able to better serve those who served," said Schmidt.  "In short, I believe this conference has long-reaching potential to save lives."