Helping Heroes Act

This bill, called the Helping Heroes Act, would create a Veteran Family Resource Program at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s meant to help veterans and their families stay healthy and strong by connecting them with VA benefits and local community services that support life at home . The VA could expand the program to more medical centers as needed.

Within five years, the VA must place at least one “family coordinator” in every VA region. These coordinators, based at VA medical centers, serve as go-to guides for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors, helping them find and use both VA and community resources. The program will track referrals, health factors, and satisfaction to see what’s working and improve over time .

• Who is affected: Veterans; their families, caregivers, and survivors. Children of veterans are included for supportive services like mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical health support and peer programs for kids .
• What changes: The VA creates the Veteran Family Resource Program, appoints family coordinators, and has them assess needs, build relationships, make referrals, and maintain up-to-date lists of services. Programs using these funds must follow federal civil rights and disability laws .
• When: The first survey of disabled veterans and their families is due within one year of enactment, then at least every five years after. Family coordinators must be in place within five years .