,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dbgf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ai 7legislative day1 ,may #ag71 #bjbb,mrs4 ,murray introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve services provided by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs for veteran families1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,helping ,heroes ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#b7 ,disabled veteran ,the term disabled veteran has the meaning given that term in section #dbaa of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,educational service agency2 local educational agency2 other staff2 school leader2 specialized instructional support personnel ,the terms educational service agency1 local educational agency1 other staff1 school leader1 and specialized instructional support personnel have the meanings given those terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#d7 ,eligible child ,the term eligible child1 with respect to an eligible veteran1 means an individual who-- 7,a7 is a ward1 child 7including stepchild71 grandchild1 or sibling 7including stepsibling or halfsibling7 of the eligible veteran2 and 7,b7 is less than #ah years of age4 7#e7 ,eligible veteran ,the term eligible veteran means a disabled veteran who has a service-connected disability rated at #gj percent or more4 7#f7 ,family ,coordinator ,the term ,family ,coordinator means an individual placed at a medical center of the ,department pursuant to section #c4 7#g7 ,family ,support ,program ,the term ,family ,support ,program means the program established under section #d4 7#h7 ,non-,department provider ,the term non-,department provider means a public or non-profit entity that is not an entity of the ,department4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7#aj7 ,supportive services ,the term supportive services means services that address the social1 emotional1 and mental health1 career-readiness1 and other needs of eligible children1 including-- 7,a7 wellness services1 including mental1 emotional1 behavioral1 and physical health and nutritional counseling and assistance2 7,b7 peer-support programs for children2 7,c7 assistance completing college admission and financial aid applications1 including the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid described in section #dhc7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij71 and accessing veterans' education benefits as defined under section #dhj7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7 that eligible children may be eligible to receive2 7,d7 assistance with accessing workforce development programs1 including programs providing the activities authorized under section #abi of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafd71 and programs of vocational rehabilitation services1 including programs authorized under title ,i of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gbj et seq472 7,e7 sports and recreation2 7,f7 after-school care and summer learning opportunities2 7,g7 dependent care1 including home and community-based services2 7,h7 other resources for low-income families2 7,i7 assistance transitioning from active duty in the ,armed ,forces to veteran status2 and 7,j7 any other services or activities the ,secretary considers appropriate to support the needs of eligible children4 7#aa7 ,veteran-connected student ,the term 8veteran-connected student0 means a student whose parent or guardian previously served in the ,armed ,forces1 a ,reserve component of the ,armed ,forces1 or the ,national ,guard4 #c4 ,requirements for family coordinators 7a7 ,in general ,not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 place at each medical center of the ,department not fewer than one ,family ,coordinator2 and 7#b7 ensure adequate staffing and resources at each such medical center to ensure ,family ,coordinators are able to carry out their duties4 7b7 ,family ,coordinators 7#a7 ,employment ,each ,family ,coordinator placed at a medical center of the ,department under subsection 7a7 shall be employed full-time by the ,department as a ,family ,coordinator and shall have no other duties in addition to the duties of a ,family ,coordinator4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,to qualify to be a ,family ,coordinator under subsection 7a71 an individual shall-- 7,a7 be a social worker licensed in accordance with the requirements of the ,state in which such individual is employed2 and 7,b7 have a graduate degree in social work or a related field4 7#c7 ,duties ,each ,family ,coordinator shall-- 7,a7 assess the needs of the families of veterans using evidence-based strategies2 7,b7 build positive relationships with such families2 7,c7 refer veterans to local1 ,state1 and ,federal resources that support veterans and their families2 7,d7 develop and maintain a list of-- 7i7 supportive services offered by the medical center at which the ,family ,coordinator is placed2 and 7ii7 supportive services offered at reduced or no cost by non-,department providers located in the catchment area of such medical center2 and 7,e7 develop and maintain on an internet website a list of family resources that shall be made available for all veterans in the catchment area of such medical center who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the ,department established and operated under section #agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #d4 ,establishment of family support program 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program to be known as the ,family ,support ,program to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services to eligible veterans and eligible children4 7b7 ,implementation of family support program ,to carry out the ,family ,support ,program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 provide supportive services through medical centers of the ,department2 7#b7 collaborate with relevant ,federal agencies to provide supportive services2 7#c7 provide financial assistance to non-,department providers pursuant to subsection 7c72 and 7#d7 engage in any other activities the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7c7 ,financial assistance to non-,department providers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into contracts and award grants to provide financial assistance to eligible non-,department providers to participate in the ,family ,support ,program4 7#b7 ,eligibility 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish and make publicly available the criteria for a non-,department provider to be eligible for financial assistance under this subsection4 7,b7 ,criteria ,the criteria required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall include requirements for a non-,department provider-- 7i7 to provide a description of-- 7,i7 each supportive service proposed to be provided to eligible children2 and 7,,ii7 the demonstrated record of the non-,department provider in providing such supportive service2 7ii7 to demonstrate the ability to serve families of veterans in a manner that is trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate2 and 7iii7 to agree to oversight by the ,secretary regarding-- 7,i7 the use of financial assistance provided by the ,department under this subsection2 and 7,,ii7 the quality of supportive services provided4 7#c7 ,notice ,the ,secretary shall promptly provide to eligible non-,department providers selected by the ,secretary to receive financial assistance under this subsection notice of the award of such financial assistance to ensure such providers have sufficient time to prepare to provide supportive services under the ,family ,support ,program4 7#d7 ,authorized activities ,financial assistance provided under this subsection shall be used to provide supportive services4 7#e7 ,training to recipients of financial assistance ,for each recipient of financial assistance under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall provide training and technical assistance regarding the planning1 development1 and provision of supportive services under the ,family ,support ,program4 7d7 ,coordination with other department of veterans affairs programs ,the ,secretary shall share best practices with and facilitate referrals of eligible veterans and their families1 as appropriate1 from the ,family ,support ,program to other programs of the ,department1 such as the program of support services for caregivers of veterans under section #agbj;,g7b7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7e7 ,reporting requirements 7#a7 ,annual report ,not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the ,family ,support ,program1 and annually thereafter1 each non-,department provider in receipt of financial assistance under the ,family ,support ,program shall submit to the ,secretary a report describing the supportive services carried out with such financial assistance during the year covered by such report4 7#b7 ,report to ,congress 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the commencement of the ,family ,support ,program1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the progress of the ,family ,support ,program4 7,b7 ,contents ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7i7 the number of eligible veterans and eligible children who received supportive services under the ,family ,support ,program2 7ii7 the demographic data of eligible veterans and eligible family members1 including-- 7,i7 the relationship to the eligible veteran2 7,,ii7 age2 7,,iii7 race2 7,,iv7 ethnicity2 7,v7 gender identity2 7,,vi7 sexual orientation2 7,,vii7 disability2 and 7,,viii7 ,english proficiency and whether a language other than ,english is spoken at home2 7iii7 a summary of the supportive services carried out under the ,family ,support ,program and the costs to the ,department of such supportive services2 and 7iv7 an assessment1 measured by a survey of participants1 of whether participation in the ,family ,support ,program resulted in positive outcomes for eligible veterans and eligible children4 #e4 ,veteran-connected student grant program 7a7 ,authorization of grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,education1 shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to local educational agencies in order to better meet academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health needs of veteran-connected students4 7#b7 ,eligibility ,a local educational agency shall be eligible for a grant under this section if such agency partners with a nearby medical center of the ,department that employs at least one ,family ,coordinator4 7#c7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than five years4 7#d7 ,diversity of projects ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall ensure that1 to the extent practicable1 grants are distributed among local educational agencies that will serve geographically diverse areas1 including urban1 suburban1 and rural areas4 7#e7 ,priorities ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education1 shall give priority to applications that are submitted by local educational agencies that are in the highest quartile of local educational agencies in a ranking of all qualified local educational agencies in the ,state1 ranked in descending order by the number and percentage of children in each agency counted under section #aabd7;c7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fccc7;c774 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,in order to receive a grant under subsection 7a71 a local educational agency shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,contents ,an application submitted by an agency under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of how the agency will identify veteran-connected students such as through survey instruments or data sharing agreements1 in accordance with applicable ,federal privacy laws2 7,b7 a description of how the agency will collaborate with a ,family ,coordinator to increase wrap around supports provided to veteran-connected students and families of veterans1 including how services will be provided by such agency or a medical center of the ,department1 as appropriate2 7,c7 a description of how the agency will expand access to evidence-based academic supports for veteran-connected students1 such as tutoring or college and career counseling1 to improve the academic outcomes of such students2 7,d7 an assurance that the agency will designate an employee of a local educational agency to serve as a liaison to families of veterans to coordinate with ,family ,coordinators to meet the academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health needs of veteran-connected students1 including through the ,family ,support ,program2 and 7,e7 a description of a preliminary memorandum of understanding signed between the agency and a partnering medical center of the ,department detailing the financial1 programmatic1 and long-term commitments of each party to meet the academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health needs of veteran-connected students4 7c7 ,uses of funds ,a local educational agency receiving a grant under this section shall use such grant to carry out one or more of the following3 7#a7 ,support activities to address the academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health needs of veteran-connected students4 7#b7 ,provide assistance to veteran-connected students to complete college admission applications and financial aid applications1 including the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid described in section #dhc7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7 and to access veterans' education benefits as defined under section #dhj7;c77#b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7c77#b77 such individuals may be eligible to receive4 7#c7 ,improve mental health services and supports for veteran-connected students1 including meeting the needs of such individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences or related trauma4 7#d7 ,provide professional development for ,family ,coordinators and for teachers1 school leaders1 specialized instructional support personnel1 liaisons to families of veterans1 and other staff employed by local educational agencies on the unique challenges facing veteran-connected students and families of veterans4 7#e7 ,conduct outreach and communicate with families of veterans to improve the involvement of veterans who are caregivers in the academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health needs of their children4 7#f7 ,hire and retain a liaison to families of veterans to provide supports to veteran-connected students and families of veterans4 7#g7 ,coordinate with ,family ,coordinators and support the provision of services through the ,family ,support ,program4 7d7 ,reporting requirements 7#a7 ,local reporting ,not later than one year after a local educational agency receives a grant under this section1 and annually thereafter1 such agency shall submit to the ,secretary a report containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7,a7 the number and percentage of veteran-connected students served by the agency1 disaggregated by demographic data2 7,b7 information required under paragraph 7#a77;,c77ii7 of section #aaaa7;h7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa7;h77 and corresponding requirements under paragraph 7#b7 of that section for all veteran-connected students served by the agency2 and 7,c7 a description of the academic1 social1 emotional1 and mental health services provided to veteran-connected students1 including whether such services were provided by the agency or through the ,family ,support ,program4 7#b7 ,secretary reporting ,not later than one year after receiving a report described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,education1 shall-- 7,a7 prepare and submit to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,education and ,labor of the ,house of ,representatives a report that summarizes the report submitted under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 make the report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 publicly available on an internet website of the ,department4 7e7 ,supplement not supplant ,grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement1 not supplant1 other ,federal or ,state funds available to carry out activities described in this section4 7f7 ,disaggregation of data ,disaggregation of data required under this section shall not be required when the number of students described in subsection 7d77#a77;,a7 is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student4 #f4 ,outreach on availability of services ,the ,secretary shall conduct an outreach program to ensure veterans who are enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the ,department established and operated under section #agje7;a7 of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 employees of the ,department1 and potential ,state1 local1 and ,federal partners are informed of the ,family ,support ,program and the availability of ,family ,coordinators4 #g4 ,transition assistance ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall include information regarding supportive services available for members of the ,armed ,forces who are being separated from active duty and their families1 including mental health and other services for children1 in the transition assistance curriculum offered by the ,department4 #h4 ,survey 7a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for five years1 the ,secretary shall conduct a survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand the needs of such disabled veterans and their families4 7b7 ,content ,the survey required under subsection 7a7 shall include questions with respect to-- 7#a7 the types and quality of support disabled veterans receive from the children of such disabled veterans2 and 7#b7 the unmet needs of such children4 #i4 ,nondiscrimination ,programs or activities receiving funds under this ,act may not discriminate on the basis of race1 color1 national origin1 religion1 sex1 sexual orientation1 gender identity1 disability status1 or age4 #aj4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such funds as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4