In July 2009, Boise Police confronted one of Idaho’s most decorated soldiers in a deadly force encounter. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the military veteran diagnosed with PTSD and suffering from a traumatic brain injury, became the focal point for a community policing initiative, Joining Forces for Treasure Valley Veterans. This initiative has not only saved lives but has led to a plethora of
improved services for military veterans in crisis. Boise Police played the lead role in facilitating 50 stakeholders from a variety of disciplines who meet monthly to coordinate a multitude of veterans resources including housing, transportation, employment, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, suicide prevention, coordination of benefits, education counseling, and veterans treatment court services. The objectives the Joining Forces for Treasure Valley Veterans network partnership are:
• To develop a better understanding of services available in our community for military veterans and their families;
• Develop a better level of trust among partners through frequent meetings and partnerships;
• Ultimately by working together can improve the quality and timeliness of services provided to our vets.
• Identify the resources available to veterans in our community and make them widely known to others so vets in need of services could obtain access. Joining Forces for Treasure Valley Veterans meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:45 a.m. in the Sawtooth Auditorium at the Boise Police Department. Anyone who has an interest in our military veterans is welcome to attend.
