Helping Heroes Act

This bill would set up a Veteran Family Resource Program at the Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans and their families find and use VA benefits and local community services that support health and well-being. It focuses on the family’s needs and aims to make it easier to connect with the right help.

Every VA region would have at least one “family coordinator” who serves as a go-to person at VA medical centers, knows both VA and community resources, and helps families navigate them. Coordinators would assess needs, build relationships, make referrals to local, state, federal, and non‑VA help, and keep up‑to‑date lists of services. The program would track results (like referrals, health factors, and satisfaction) and may expand to more VA medical centers if needed.

• Who is affected: Veterans; their families, caregivers, and survivors; and children of veterans.
• What changes: A new VA program to connect family units with services and resources that support wellness.
• When: Within five years, at least one family coordinator in each VA region; within one year, a survey of disabled veterans and their families (then at least every five years); a two‑year progress report to Congress on who was served, what was provided, costs, and whether it helped.
• For children: Supportive services may include mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical health supports, plus peer‑support programs.
• Fairness: Any program using these funds must follow federal anti‑discrimination laws (covering sex, race, disability, age, and more).