S. 106

An Act to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to States to improve outreach to veterans, and for other purposes.

Section 1. Authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Award Grants to States to Improve Outreach to Veterans

This section allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to give grants to states to help them improve their outreach efforts to veterans. The purpose of these grants is to ensure that veterans and their families are well-informed about the benefits and programs available to them. The grants can be used to support activities such as outreach programs, assistance in applying for benefits, and hiring more veterans service officers. States must submit an application to be eligible for a grant, which includes a plan for how the grant will be used, a description of the programs to be implemented, and a plan for how the grant will be distributed among different counties. The Secretary will prioritize grants for areas with a shortage of veterans service officers and areas with high rates of suicide among veterans or referrals to the Veterans Crisis Line.

The grants can be used to expand existing programs, hire new veterans service officers, or support travel and transportation related to these activities. The grants can also be used to provide education and training for government employees involved in outreach services. The Secretary will develop outcome measures and provide guidance to states on achieving these measures. The Secretary will also track the use of benefits among the population served by the grant and submit an annual report to Congress. The performance of states receiving grants will be reviewed, and information on their performance will be made publicly available. States that do not meet the outcome measures will be required to submit a plan for improvement before receiving another grant.

Overall, this bill aims to improve outreach to veterans and ensure they receive the benefits and assistance they are entitled to.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin

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