DVS Names New Executive Director for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is pleased to announce Brandi Jancaitis has been named the new Executive Director for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP). Jancaitis is a Southwest Virginia native, Active Duty Army spouse and mother of two who fully understands firsthand the sacrifices felt by military families. Commissioner Paul Galanti notes “I am delighted at the selection of Brandi for this important role. She has worked in multiple capacities with the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program since 2010 and is inheriting a nationally renowned model program. I am confident that she will take it to the next level.”

Initially, Jancaitis worked directly with veterans and family members as a Lead Case Manager in Central Virginia. In her ‘boots on the ground’ role as a case manager, she was able to develop and coordinate a new family support initiative called the Mission: Healthy Families Retreat. In addition, Jancaitis spearheaded a new service area by assisting at risk and homeless veterans.

At the executive team level, Jancaitis has served as Interim Regional Director for Greater Hampton Roads and as Director of Housing Development for veterans. In the Director of Housing Development role, she was able to expound on her former direct services role and was responsible for promoting and coordinating an integrated system of care to end veteran homelessness and support the overall affordable and accessible housing needs of Virginia Veterans and their families. Her work provided a constant focus on enhancing state and local efforts by connecting key stakeholders at the Federal, State, and local level.

Jancaitis also led a direct services pilot project within the VWWP that added housing resource specialist positions to Central Virginia and Greater Hampton Roads. These positions provide dedicated outreach and service linkages to at risk and homeless veterans and families. In addition, she led efforts to link the housing development community with veteran and main stream supportive service providers.

Prior to joining the VWWP, she worked for the Community Services Board (CSB) system at the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). At RBHA, she worked in a variety of roles including direct service, research and program evaluation, and grants management. Jancaitis is a graduate of Virginia Tech where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree. She also holds a Masters in Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In reference to her appointment to this new role Jancaitis offered “I have a deep appreciation for the role that the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program plays in improving the lives of our veterans and their families from the boots on the ground to the Executive team. I look forward to this role and the ability to guide the sustainability and future growth of one of the Commonwealth’s most valuable assets, our Virginia Wounded Warrior Program.”