H.R. 2077 — Helping Heroes Act

This section establishes the Veteran Family Resource Program (designated as such), to be carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs through the Under Secretary for Health and the Office of Patient Care Services and Care Management and Social Work Services of the Veterans Health Administration. The program enhances veterans' resilience, health, and well-being by addressing social determinants of health challenges in their family units (as defined by veterans) through person-centered clinical integrations, connections to VA benefits, and community resource engagement, ensuring access to a continuum of services and resources. The Secretary must appoint at least one family coordinator in each of the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs, i.e., the VA's regional networks of medical facilities) and ensure adequate staffing within five years of enactment. Family coordinators serve as point persons knowledgeable about VA and community resources for veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors; help such individuals access and navigate those resources; and, to the extent practicable, (1) assess needs using evidence-based strategies, (2) build relationships, (3) refer to local, state, federal, and non-VA resources, and (4) maintain lists of VA and non-VA supportive services. The program has four goals: (1) connecting veterans to family resources to increase well-being and resiliency; (2) developing internal partnerships to improve VA health care; (3) capturing data for process improvements; and (4) serving as community liaisons for partnerships. The Secretary must establish metrics for program assessment, including Department and non-Department referrals, health factors, and veteran and staff satisfaction. The Secretary may expand the program to additional medical centers or otherwise as appropriate. Not later than two years after program commencement, the Secretary must submit a report to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs and subcommittees on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committees on Appropriations. The report must include (1) numbers of veterans and children receiving supportive services; (2) demographic data on recipients (relationship to veteran, age, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, English proficiency, and primary home language); (3) summaries of services and costs; and (4) participant survey assessments of outcomes for veterans and children and contributions to veterans' health, well-being, and treatment goals. The section defines "supportive services" as those addressing children's social, emotional, mental health, career-readiness, and other needs, including wellness services, peer-support programs, and other appropriate services or activities.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, not later than one year after enactment and not less frequently than every five years thereafter as determined appropriate, to conduct a survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand their needs. The survey must include questions on (1) the types and quality of support such veterans receive for their children, and (2) the unmet needs of such children.

This section applies specified federal nondiscrimination laws to any program or activity receiving funds under this Act: (1) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.); (2) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.); (3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); (4) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); (5) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.); and (6) any other federal law prohibiting discrimination under an applicable program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.