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Making Connections To Help Veterans Thrive

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This article was originally featured in Giving magazine, a publication for employees and select partners of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

The South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs (SCDVA) aims to help veterans thrive. That is why it created the South Carolina Veteran Coalition powered by Combined Arms.

The coalition is a statewide referral system that connects veterans and their families to resources across South Carolina. It is made up of state and county veterans affairs leaders and veteran service organizations. Coalition partners work to improve care for veterans and their family members.

"The South Carolina Veteran Coalition creates the opportunity to integrate all the services and service providers in South Carolina who serve veterans," said David Rozelle, SCDVA director of operations. "Our first year, we had overwhelming success in creating a statewide network to serve veterans. As we enter our second year, we will continue to grow our network but are now forward facing on connecting with veterans."

South Carolina Veteran Coalition Partners

Coalition partners share core values. They work as a team to help veterans find success in civilian life. They address needs related to:

  • Housing.
  • Employment.
  • Health care.
  • Benefits.
  • Emergency financial assistance.
  • Food insecurity.
  • Family concerns and more.

Each group brings its own services for veterans. Groups from across the state have joined the coalition. Partners include:

  • Alston Wilkes Society.
  • Big Red Barn Retreat.
  • Eastern Carolina Housing Organization.
  • Finding Hope VA.
  • Greenwood Pathway House.
  • Life House Women's Shelter.
  • Mental Health America Greenville County.
  • Military Hearts Matter.
  • Palmetto Warrior Connection.
  • Range Fore Hope Foundation. 
  • Transitions Homeless Center.
  • Upstate Warrior Solution.
  • Warrior Surf Foundation.
  • WarriorWOD.

Combined Arms Platform

The coalition is powered by the Combined Arms platform. According to the SCDVA, the platform is the technology solution that enables the work of the coalition. It streamlines the connection between veterans and their families and the groups that serve them. It creates a new veteran service model that puts the veteran at the center. 

Veterans can create a profile on the Combined Arms platform to connect with resources. There, they can search for resources, see current connections and refer a friend.

Growing the Network

The SCDVA launched the coalition in April 2022, thanks in part to a grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. To date, the coalition has served more that 547 veterans and family members.

It continues to add partners. Today, there are more than 84 nonprofits and veteran service organizations in the coalition who can help veterans and their families. The SCDVA plans to continue to build the network to help our veterans thrive.

Learn more about the South Carolina Veteran Coalition and create a profile on the Combined Arms platform at scdva.sc.gov/south-carolina-veteran-coalition.