COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA) held its first stakeholder engagement meeting on Thursday, September 9th at the Pastides Alumni Center in Downtown Columbia. The engagement discussion centered on the Department’s Campaign Design and Action Plan for fiscal year 2021-2022. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster gave opening remarks with Secretary Will Grimsley, and Dave Rozelle, SCDVA's Director of Operations, leading the discussion to follow.

The meeting drew representatives and SCDVA partners from state and local governments, major corporations, small business organizations, Veteran service organizations, and statewide media.  The event discussed the following:

• Overview of the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Campaign Design
• FY 21-22 Action Plan
• Case Management and Referral System
• Palmetto Pathfinder Program
• Coalitions in South Carolina

WATCH THE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED LIVE STREAM of the SCDVA Veterans Stakeholders' Meeting by CLICKING HERE.

CLICK HERE to view SCDVA's Fiscal Year 21-22 Action Plan.

Blake Bourne, the Executive Director of Veterans Bridge Home (VBH) in Charlotte attended the engagement meeting as a way to extend partnership with SCDVA and other Veteran service organizations.

“The SCDVA Stakeholders’ Meeting was an excellent event. Not only were we able to connect with key partners and leaders in the Veteran arena from across the state, but we received a clear and accountable plan from Secretary Grimsley.  Thanks to the Department Leadership and vision we have the opportunity to all be on the same page when it comes to serving Veterans and their families.  Now it is up to us to execute the plan!  VBH is onboard and excited to ‘Give Way Together.’”

"It was an honor to attend the inaugural stakeholders meeting for SC Department of Veterans' Affairs and to be among such an impressive group of leaders from across the state, all committed to improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life of our Veterans. MUSC is committed to preserving and optimizing human life in South Carolina and [we] are committed to inclusion, equity and access for all South Carolinians, so it is with great appreciation to the service of our military that we join the SCDVA Stakeholders group."

~ Susan L. Johnson, Ph.D., Director of Health Promotion, Medical University of South Carolina

SCDVA plans to hold a stakeholders' meeting yearly to continue growth of coalitions and Veteran support service networks throughout South Carolina.