PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act

This bill creates a national grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs would award grants to nonprofits with a track record serving veterans’ mental health, congressionally chartered veteran service organizations, and state, local, or tribal veteran service agencies. Grants can be up to $250,000 and must support programs that hire veterans as peer specialists, offer both group and one-on-one nonclinical support, and provide help 24/7. An advisory committee will set training and quality standards for these programs. Grantees are not required to keep or share personally identifying information about the veterans they serve. Congress authorizes $25 million for the first three years after the law takes effect to run this program.

Key points

• Who is affected: Veterans seeking mental health support; nonprofits and veteran service agencies running peer programs.
• What changes: New VA grants (up to $250,000) to fund peer-led, 24/7, nonclinical support with standards and training set by an advisory committee; no requirement to retain or report personal data on participants.
• When: Authorized funding for three years starting when the law is enacted.