{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"STRONG Veterans Act of 2022","description":"

Support The Resiliency of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act of 2022 or the STRONG Veterans Act of 2022

This bill addresses mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including by requiring the VA to update training for the VA workforce and Veterans Crisis Line staff, implement pilot programs, expand access to mental health care, conduct studies and research, and provide outreach to veterans regarding mental health resources.

Among other requirements, the VA must

ensure its medical centers have at least one full-time minority veteran coordinator and that such coordinators receive training on culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans;
increase the number of full-time equivalent employees at Vet Centers and paid mental health trainees in the VA's workforce;
expand specified scholarships and loan repayment programs for mental health providers and students;
review and update the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders and social service assistants;
designate a Buddy Check Week to organize outreach events and educate veterans on conducting peer wellness checks;
update the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, including by conducting program outreach to justice-involved veterans;
make permanent and expand the Peer Specialist Support program;
expand eligibility for Vet Center services;
offer mental health consultations to certain veterans;
improve the assessment and treatment of veterans with sleep disorders; and
perform various studies and research related to mental health issues and care.

Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program.

","legislationIdentifier":"HR 6411","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Mark Takano","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/mark-takano-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Armed Forces and National Security"},"keywords":"Alaska Natives and Hawaiians, Census and government statistics, Commemorative events and holidays, Congressional oversight, Correctional facilities and imprisonment, Cultural exchanges and relations, Department of Veterans Affairs, Disability assistance, Drug, alcohol, tobacco use, Emergency communications systems, Emergency medical services and trauma care, Employment and training programs, Federal-Indian relations, Foreign language and bilingual programs, Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management, Government information and archives, Government studies and investigations, Health care coverage and access, Health care quality, Health facilities and institutions, Health information and medical records, Health personnel, Health promotion and preventive care, Higher education, Home and outpatient care, Judicial procedure and administration, Law enforcement administration and funding, Medical education, Medical research, Medical tests and diagnostic methods, Mental health, Military medicine, Military personnel and dependents, Minority employment, Minority health, Neurological disorders, Nursing, Performance measurement, Research administration and funding, Rural conditions and development, Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations, Specialized courts, Student aid and college costs, Telephone and wireless communication, Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation, Veterans' medical care, Veterans' organizations and recognition, Veterans' pensions and compensation, Women's employment","dateModified":"2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-117-HR-6411"}

Mark Takano

Mark Takano

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee