Sec. 334. Program on use of wellness programs as complementary approach to mental health care for veterans and family members of veterans
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/bill/113/s/1982/pcs/section-334A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a program through the award of grants to public or private nonprofit entities to assess the feasibility and advisability of using wellness programs to complement the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members eligible for counseling under section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. The program shall be carried out so as to assess the following: Means of improving coordination between Federal, State, local, and community providers of health care in the provision of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1).
Means of enhancing outreach, and coordination of outreach, by and among providers of health care referred to in subparagraph
(A)on the mental health care services available to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). Means of using wellness programs of providers of health care referred to in subparagraph
(A)as complements to the provision by the Department of Veterans Affairs of mental health care to veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph
(C)are effective in enhancing the quality of life and well-being of veterans and family members described in paragraph (1). Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph
(C)are effective in increasing the adherence of veterans described in paragraph
(1)to the primary mental health services provided such veterans by the Department. Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph
(C)have an impact on the sense of wellbeing of veterans described in paragraph
(1)who receive primary mental health services from the Department. Whether wellness programs described in subparagraph
(C)are effective in encouraging veterans receiving health care from the Department to adopt a more healthy lifestyle. The Secretary shall carry out the program for a period of three years beginning on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Secretary shall carry out the program at facilities of the Department providing mental health care services to veterans and family members described in subsection (a)(1). A public or private nonprofit entity seeking the award of a grant under this section shall submit an application therefor to the Secretary in such form and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Each application submitted under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: A plan to coordinate activities under the program, to the extent possible, with the Federal, State, and local providers of services for veterans to enhance the following: Awareness by veterans of benefits and health care services provided by the Department. Outreach efforts to increase the use by veterans of services provided by the Department. Educational efforts to inform veterans of the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. A statement of understanding from the entity submitting the application that, if selected, such entity will be required to report to the Secretary periodically on standardized data and other performance data necessary to evaluate individual outcomes and to facilitate evaluations among entities participating in the program. Other requirements that the Secretary may prescribe. A public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award for purposes prescribed by the Secretary. In carrying out the purposes prescribed by the Secretary in paragraph (1), a public or private nonprofit entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the award to furnish services only to individuals specified in section 1712A(a)(1)(C) of title 38, United States Code. Not later than 180 days after the date of the commencement of the program, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program. Each report required by subparagraph
(A)shall include the following: The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program during the 180-day period preceding the report. An assessment of the benefits of the program to veterans and their family members during the 180-day period preceding the report. Not later than 180 days after the end of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing or expanding the program. In this section, the term wellness has the meaning given that term in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.