§ 6303. Outreach services

§ 6303. Outreach services

(a) Requirement To Provide Services.— In carrying out the purposes of this subchapter, the Secretary shall provide the outreach services specified in subsections (b) through (d). In areas where a significant number of eligible veterans and eligible dependents speak a language other than English as their principal language, such services shall, to the maximum feasible extent, be provided in the principal language of such persons.

(b) Individual Notice to New Veterans.— The Secretary shall by letter advise each veteran at the time of the veteran’s discharge or release from active military, naval, air, or space service (or as soon as possible after such discharge or release) of all benefits and services under laws administered by the Department for which the veteran may be eligible. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure, through the use of veteran-student services under section 3485 of this title, that contact, in person or by telephone, is made with those veterans who, on the basis of their military service records, do not have a high school education or equivalent at the time of discharge or release.

(c) Distribution of Information.—

(1) The Secretary—

(A) shall distribute full information to eligible veterans and eligible dependents regarding all benefits and services to which they may be entitled under laws administered by the Secretary; and

(B) may, to the extent feasible, distribute information on other governmental programs (including manpower and training programs) which the Secretary determines would be beneficial to veterans.

(2) Whenever a veteran or dependent first applies for any benefit under laws administered by the Secretary (including a request for burial or related benefits or an application for life insurance proceeds), the Secretary shall provide to the veteran or dependent information concerning benefits and health care services under programs administered by the Secretary. Such information shall be provided not later than three months after the date of such application.

(d) Provision of Aid and Assistance.— The Secretary shall provide, to the maximum extent possible, aid and assistance (including personal interviews) to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and eligible dependents with respect to subsections (b) and (c) and in the preparation and presentation of claims under laws administered by the Department.

(e) Assignment of Employees.— In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall assign such employees as the Secretary considers appropriate to conduct outreach programs and provide outreach services for homeless veterans. Such outreach services may include site visits through which homeless veterans can be identified and provided assistance in obtaining benefits and services that may be available to them.

(Added Pub. L. 109–233, title IV, § 402(a), June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 408; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 926(a)(59), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3830; Pub. L. 117–205, § 2(b)(2), Oct. 17, 2022, 136 Stat. 2233.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 7722 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–233.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–205 substituted “this subchapter” for “this chapter”.

2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283 “air, or space service” for “or air service”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Improvements to Veterans Justice Outreach Program

Pub. L. 117–328, div. V, title III, § 302, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5506, provided that: “(a) Outreach Requirement.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct outreach regarding the Veterans Justice Outreach Program to justice-involved veterans, military and veterans service organizations, and relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice community, including officials from local law enforcement, court, and jail systems and others as determined appropriate by the Secretary. Such outreach—“(1) shall be designed—“(A) to spread awareness and understanding of the Program; “(B) to spread awareness and understanding of veteran eligibility for the Program, including the eligibility of veterans who were discharged from service in the Armed Forces under conditions other than honorable; and “(C) to improve the identification of justice-involved veterans; and “(2) may be conducted in person, virtually, or through other means, including by the dissemination of informational materials and contact information. “(b) Strategic Plan.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a strategic plan for the Veterans Justice Outreach Program. In developing such plan, the Secretary shall conduct—“(1) an assessment of barriers to working with justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, and underserved areas, including potential steps to address such barriers; and “(2) a workforce gap analysis for the Program. “(c) Increase in Number of VJO Specialists.—“(1) Increase.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase the number of Veterans Justice Outreach specialists responsible for supporting justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, or underserved areas, including areas located far from Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, as determined by the Secretary, through—“(A) the hiring of additional Veterans Justice Outreach specialists; “(B) the reallocation of existing Veterans Justice Outreach specialists; or “(C) such other means as may be determined appropriate by the Secretary. “(2) Determination.—The Secretary shall determine the number of Veterans Justice Outreach specialists required, and the locations of such specialists, under paragraph (1) by taking into account—“(A) such number and locations needed to achieve the mission and strategic goals of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program; “(B) any gaps in the workforce of the Program, including such gaps identified pursuant to subsection (b)(2); and “(C) strategies to address such gaps. “(3) Use of technology.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the use of virtual technology. “(d) Performance Goals and Implementation Plans.—“(1) Establishment.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish performance goals and implementation plans for—“(A) the Veterans Justice Outreach Program; “(B) Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists; and “(C) providing support for research regarding justice-involved veterans. “(2) Consistency with strategic plan.—The Secretary shall ensure that the performance goals and implementation plans under paragraph (1) are consistent with the strategic plan under subsection (b) and include—“(A) qualitative and quantitative milestones, measures, and metrics, and associated timelines for completion of the plans under paragraph (1) and barriers to such completion; “(B) an identification of relevant staff; and “(C) an estimate of resource needs and sources. “(3) Performance data.—The Secretary shall establish a process to regularly collect and analyze performance data to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of implementing the plans under paragraph (1). “(e) Training Requirement.—The Secretary shall ensure that all Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists receive training not less frequently than annually on—“(1) best practices for identifying and conducting outreach to justice-involved veterans and relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice community; and “(2) veteran eligibility for the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including with respect to consistently communicating changes regarding eligibility (including through the use of a script or other reference materials). “(f) Reports on Implementation.—“(1) First report.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 2022], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the following:“(A) An assessment of implementing subsection (c), including—“(i) strategies to increase Veterans Justice Outreach specialists responsible for supporting justice-involved veterans in rural, remote, or underserved areas; and “(ii) the progress of the Secretary in addressing gaps in the workforce of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program identified pursuant to paragraph (2) of such subsection. “(B) The performance goals and implementation plans established under subsection (d)(1). “(2) Subsequent report.—Not later than three years after the date on which the first report is submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the Secretary in meeting the performance goals and carrying out activities under the implementation plans established under subsection (d)(1). “(g) Report on Veterans Treatment Courts.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall submit to Congress a report on the engagement of the Department of Veterans Affairs with veterans treatment courts, including—“(1) the availability and efficacy of veterans treatment courts in meeting the needs of justice-involved veterans; “(2) best practices for Department of Veterans Affairs staff and justice-involved veterans in working with veterans treatment courts; and “(3) the ability of justice-involved veterans to access veterans treatment courts, including any barriers that exist to increasing such access. “(h) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) The term ‘justice-involved veteran’ means a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some component of a local criminal justice system. “(2) The term ‘Veterans Justice Outreach Program’ means the program through which the Department of Veterans Affairs identifies justice-involved veterans and provides such veterans with access to Department services. “(3) The term ‘Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist’ means an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who serves as a liaison between the Department and the local criminal justice system on behalf of a justice-involved veteran. “(4) The term ‘veterans treatment court’ means a State or local court that is participating in the veterans treatment court program (as defined in section 2991(i)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797aa(i)(1)) [now 34 U.S.C. 10651(i)(1)]).”

Fact Sheets

Pub. L. 117–62, § 2, Nov. 22, 2021, 135 Stat. 1482, provided that: “(a) Languages.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available versions of all fact sheets of the Department of Veterans Affairs in—“(1) English; “(2) Spanish; “(3) Tagalog; and “(4) each of the 10 most commonly spoken languages, other than English, in the United States that are not otherwise covered by paragraphs (2) and (3). “(b) Website.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain a publicly available website of the Department of Veterans Affairs that contains links to all fact sheets of the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and of the National Cemetery Administration. The website shall be accessible by a clearly labeled hyperlink on the homepage of the Department. “(c) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 22, 2021], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit a report to Congress regarding fact sheets described in subsection (a) and details of the Language Access Plan of the Department of Veteran[s] Affairs. The report shall include the following:“(1) What the Secretary determines constitutes a fact sheet of the Department for purposes of this Act [enacting this note and provisions set out as a note under section 101 of this title]. “(2) How such fact sheets are utilized and distributed other than on and through the website of the Department. “(3) How such Language Access Plan is communicated to veterans, family members of veterans, and caregivers. “(4) The roles and responsibilities of patient advocates in the coordination of care for veterans with limited English proficiency, family members of such veterans, and caregivers. “(5) Other demographic information that the Secretary determines appropriate regarding veterans with limited English proficiency.”

Continuation of Women’s Health Transition Training Program of Department of Veterans Affairs

Pub. L. 116–315, title III, § 3005(a), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4993, provided that: “The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out the Women’s Health Transition Training program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this section [remainder of section 3005 of Pub. L. 116–315 not classified to the Code] referred to as the ‘Program’) until at least one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 2021].”

Pilot Program on Assisting Veterans Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence or Sexual Assault

Pub. L. 116–315, title V, § 5304, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 5041, provided that: “(a) Pilot Program Required.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of assisting former members of the Armed Forces who have experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual assault in accessing benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including coordinating access to medical treatment centers, housing assistance, and other benefits from the Department. “(b) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. “(c) Collaboration.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) in collaboration with—“(1) intimate partner violence shelters and programs; “(2) rape crisis centers; “(3) State intimate partner violence and sexual assault coalitions; and “(4) such other health care or other service providers that serve intimate partner violence or sexual assault victims as determined by the Secretary, particularly those providing emergency services or housing assistance. “(d) Authorized Activities.—In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct the following activities:“(1) Training for community-based intimate partner violence or sexual assault service providers on—“(A) identifying former members of the Armed Forces who have been victims of, or are currently experiencing, intimate partner violence or sexual assault; “(B) coordinating with local service providers of the Department; and “(C) connecting former members of the Armed Forces with appropriate housing, mental health, medical, and other financial assistance or benefits from the Department. “(2) Assistance to service providers to ensure access of veterans to intimate partner violence and sexual assault emergency services, particularly in underserved areas, including services for Native American veterans (as defined in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code). “(3) Such other outreach and assistance as the Secretary determines necessary for the provision of assistance under subsection (a). “(e) Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Outreach Coordinators.—“(1) In general.—In order to effectively assist veterans who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual assault, the Secretary may establish local coordinators to provide outreach under the pilot program required by subsection (a). “(2) Local coordinator knowledge.—The Secretary shall ensure that each coordinator established under paragraph (1) is knowledgeable about—“(A) the dynamics of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, including safety concerns, legal protections, and the need for the provision of confidential services; “(B) the eligibility of veterans for services and benefits from the Department that are relevant to recovery from intimate partner violence and sexual assault, particularly emergency housing assistance, mental health care, other health care, and disability benefits; and “(C) local community resources addressing intimate partner violence and sexual assault. “(3) Local coordinator assistance.—Each coordinator established under paragraph (1) shall assist intimate partner violence shelters and rape crisis centers in providing services to veterans. “(f) Report.—“(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the completion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. “(2) Contents.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:“(A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program. “(B) Such recommendations for continuing or expanding the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate. “(g) Definitions.—In this section:“(1) Intimate partner.—“(A) In general.—The term ‘intimate partner’ means a person with whom one has a close personal relationship that may be characterized by the partners’ emotional connectedness, regular contact, ongoing physical contact and sexual behavior, identity as a couple, and familiarity and knowledge about each other’s lives. “(B) Close personal relationships.—In this paragraph, the term ‘close personal relationships’ includes the following:“(i) A relationship between married spouses. “(ii) A relationship between common-law spouses. “(iii) A relationship between civil union spouses. “(iv) A relationship between domestic partners. “(v) A relationship between dating partners. “(vi) A relationship between ongoing sexual partners. “(2) Intimate partner violence.—The term ‘intimate partner violence’ includes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression, including coercive tactics by a current or former intimate partner.”

Pilot Program on Information Sharing Between Department of Veterans Affairs and Designated Relatives and Friends of Veterans Regarding Assistance and Benefits Available to the Veterans