II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1205 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 25, 2007 Mr. Smith (for himself and Mr. Harkin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require a pilot program on assisting veterans service organizations and other veterans groups in developing and promoting peer support programs that facilitate community reintegration of veterans returning from active duty, and for other purposes.

1.

Pilot program on assisting veterans organizations in facilitating community reintegration of veterans

(a)

Program required

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to demonstrate and assess the feasibility and advisability of delivering community reintegration support and services to veterans by assisting veterans organizations in developing and promoting peer support programs for veterans. (2)

Designation

The pilot program required by paragraph (1) shall be known as the Heroes Helping Heroes Program. (b)

Duration of program

The pilot program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on October 1, 2007. (c)

Selection of pilot program participants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall select not more than 20 eligible entities to participate in the pilot program. (2)

Application

Each eligible entity seeking to participate in the pilot program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary shall require. (3)

Selection

The Secretary shall select participants in the pilot program from among the applicants under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines— (A)(i)have existing peer support programs that can be expanded or enhanced, and resources, for the delivery of community reintegration support and services to veterans (including mentoring programs, self-help groups, and Internet and other electronic-based peer support resources) that are suitable for the pilot program; or (ii)have the capacity, including the skill and resources necessary, to develop and maintain new peer support programs for the delivery of community reintegration support and services (including mentoring programs, self-help groups, and Internet and other electronic-based peer support resources) that are suitable for the pilot program; and (B)have a plan to continue such peer support programs after the pilot program ends. (d)

Grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall award grants to pilot program participants to develop and promote peer support programs that deliver community reintegration support and services for veterans. (2)

Amount

The Secretary shall ensure that the average amount of the grant awarded under paragraph (1) to a pilot program participant is not more than $300,000 and not less than $100,000 per fiscal year. (3)

Matching funds

A recipient of a grant under paragraph (1) shall contribute towards the development and promotion of peer support programs that deliver community reintegration support and services to veterans an amount equal to not less than ten percent of the grant awarded to such recipient. (4)

Duration

The duration of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) may not exceed three years. (e)

Use of funds

A grant awarded to a pilot program participant pursuant to subsection (d) shall be used by the pilot program participant for costs and expenses connected with the development and promotion of peer support programs that deliver community reintegration support and services to veterans, including costs and expenses of the following: (1)Program staff or a coordinator of volunteers, but not more than 50 percent of such grant award may be used for such purpose in any fiscal year of such pilot program. (2)Consultation services, but not more than 20 percent of such grant award may be used for such purpose in any fiscal year of such pilot program. (3)Program operations, including costs and expenses relating to the following: (A)Advertising and recruiting. (B)Printing. (C)Training of volunteers, veterans, and staff. (D)Incentives, such as food and awards. (E)Overhead expenses, but not more than ten percent of such grant award may be used for such purposes. (f)

Technical assistance

In addition to the award of grants under subsection (d), the Secretary shall provide technical assistance to pilot program participants to assist them in developing and promoting peer support programs that deliver community reintegration support and services to veterans. (g)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means— (A)a veterans service organization; (B)a not-for-profit organization— (i)the primary mission of which is to assist veterans; (ii)that has been in continuous operation for at least 12 months; and (iii)is not a veterans service organization; or (C)a partnership between an organization described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and an organization that is not described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (2)

Pilot program participant

The term pilot program participant means an eligible entity that is selected by the Secretary, in accordance with subsection (c), to participate in the pilot program under this section. (3)

Veterans service organization

The term veterans service organization means any organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. (h)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out this section, $4,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.