H.R. 438
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities to carry out peer-to-peer mental health programs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 15, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. LaLota · Committee: Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act.
SEC. 2. PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program
- (a) In general
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a grant program to be known as the under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans.
PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a grant program to be known as the under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans.
- (b) Eligible entity defined
- In this section, the term
eligible entitymeans any of the following entities that submit to the Secretary an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require:- A nonprofit organization having historically served veterans’ mental health needs.
- A congressionally chartered veteran service organization.
- A State, local, or Tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner.
- In this section, the term
- (c) Amount of grant
- The recipient of a grant under this section shall receive a grant in an amount that does not exceed $250,000.
- (d) Use of funds
- The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to—
- carry out a program that meets the standards developed under subsection (e);
- hire veterans to serve as peer specialists to host group and individual meetings with veterans seeking nonclinical support;
- provide mental health support to veterans 24 hours each day, seven days each week; and
- hire staff to support the program.
- The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to—
- (e) Program standards
- (1) Advisory commission
- The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee for the purpose of creating appropriate standards applicable to programs established using grants under this section.
- (2) Standards
- The standards developed under paragraph (1) shall include initial and continued training for veteran peer volunteers, administrative staffing needs, and best practices for addressing the needs of each veteran served.
- (1) Advisory commission
- (f) Nonretention of records
- The Secretary may not require the recipient of a grant under this section to maintain records on veterans seeking support or to report any personally identifying information directly or indirectly to the Secretary about such veterans.
- (g) Authorization of appropriations
- There is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 to carry out this section during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.