S 2402 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for women veterans, and for other purposes.

Summary

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the veterans peer counseling program includes a sufficient number of peer counselors for women veterans. Such counselors may be VA employees and may have expertise in: (1) gender-specific issues and services, (2) VA services and benefits, and (3) employment mentoring. The VA shall: (1) emphasize facilitating peer-to-peer counseling for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma while in the Armed Forces, have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental health condition, or are otherwise at risk of becoming homeless; (2) conduct program outreach; and (3) coordinate with community organizations, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, local business organizations, and legal assistance organizations.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html February 08, 2018

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds provisions to enhance the peer counseling program specifically for women veterans within the existing framework of the Department of Veterans Affairs' suicide prevention program.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720F(j)

  (4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that the program includes a sufficient number of peer counselors for women veterans to meet the demand for such counselors. Such counselors may be employees of the Department and may have expertise in-- (i) gender-specific issues and services; (ii) the provision of information about services and benefits provided under laws administered by the Secretary; and (iii) employment mentoring.

  This addition mandates the Secretary to ensure an adequate number of peer counselors for women veterans, focusing on gender-specific needs.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720F(j)

  (4)(B) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall emphasize facilitating peer-to-peer counseling for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma while serving in the Armed Forces, have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental health condition, or are otherwise at risk of becoming homeless.

  This specifies that the counseling program must especially support women veterans who have experienced trauma or mental health issues.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720F(j)

  (4)(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women veterans about the program and the assistance available under the program.

  This requires the Secretary to actively inform women veterans about the counseling program and available resources.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720F(j)

  (4)(D)(i) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall facilitate engagement and coordination with such community organizations, State and local governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of commerce, local business organizations, organizations that provide legal assistance, and other organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate to facilitate the transition of women described in subparagraph (A) into their communities.

  This encourages collaboration with various organizations to support the transition of women veterans back into their communities.

• 38 U.S.C. § 1720F(j)

  (4)(D)(ii) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate facilitation of assistance under this paragraph with the program carried out under section 1144 of title 10.

  This directs coordination between the peer counseling program and the existing employment assistance programs for transitioning service members.

Action History

1. February 08, 2018

   Introduced in Senate

2. February 08, 2018

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsors

• Elizabeth Warren · Primary

Subjects