Sec. 701. Program to increase coordination of outreach efforts between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal, State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations
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/bill/113/s/1982/pcs/section-701A 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 to assess the feasibility and advisability of using State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations— to increase awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans; and to improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans.
The Secretary shall carry out the program for a two-year period. The Secretary shall carry out the program through the competitive award of grants to State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations— to increase the awareness of veterans regarding benefits and services for veterans; and to improve coordination of outreach activities regarding such benefits and services between the Secretary and Federal, State, and local government and nonprofit providers of health care and benefit services for veterans.
A State or local government agency or nonprofit organization seeking a grant under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate. Each application submitted under subparagraph
(A)shall include the following: A description of the consultations, if any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development of any proposal under the application. A description of the project for which the applicant is seeking a grant under the program, including a plan to coordinate under the program, to the greatest extent possible, the outreach activities of Federal, State, and local government agencies that provide health care, benefits, and services for veterans and nonprofit organizations that provide such care, benefits, and services to enhance the awareness and availability of such care, benefits, and services. An agreement to report to the Secretary standardized data and other performance measures necessary for the Secretary to evaluate the program and to facilitate evaluation of projects for which grants are awarded under the program. Such other information as the Secretary may require. In awarding grants under the program to carry out projects, the Secretary shall consider— where the projects will be carried out and which populations are targeted; and the likelihood that each potential grantee will successfully carry out the grant proposal. In taking the matters specified in subparagraph (A)(ii) into consideration, the Secretary shall consider in particular the advisability of awarding grants for projects— carried out in areas with populations that have a high proportion of veteran representation; carried out in a variety of geographic areas, including urban, rural, and highly rural areas; and that target a variety of veteran populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and older populations. The Secretary shall establish appropriate uses of grant amounts received under the program. The Secretary shall establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of the use of grant amounts received under the program, including the evidence grantees must submit to demonstrate use of grant amounts and procedures for the recovery of grant amounts that were improperly used. In a fiscal year, not more than 20 percent of all grant amounts awarded in that fiscal year may be awarded to a single State entity. The Secretary may not make a grant to a State under subsection
(c)unless that State agrees that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the program or projects for which the grant was awarded, the State will make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions in an amount equal to 50 percent of Federal funds provided under the grant. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section the following: $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2015. $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2016. Not later than 120 days after the completion of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the commencement of the program, and not less frequently than once every year thereafter for the duration of the program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the program and the projects supported by grants awarded under the program. The report required by paragraph
(1)shall include the following: The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the program. An assessment of the benefit to veterans of the program. The performance measures used by the Secretary for purposes of the program and data showing the performance of grantees under the program under such measures. The recommendations of the Secretary as to the feasibility and advisability of continuing or expanding or modifying the program. This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.