EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.

SEC. 202. EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS OF VETERANS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.(a) Establishment.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish an education program (in this section referred to as the “education program”) for the education and training of caregivers and family members of eligible veterans with mental health disorders.(b) Education Program.—(1) In general.—Under the education program, the Secretary shall provide a course of education to caregivers and family members of eligible veterans on matters relating to coping with mental health disorders in veterans.(2) Duration.—The Secretary shall carry out the education program during the four-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the education program.(3) Scope.—(A) Caregivers.—The Secretary, with respect to the component of the education program that relates to the education and training of caregivers, shall—(i) include such component in the training provided pursuant to the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs established under section 1720G(a) of title 38, United States Code; and(ii) make such component available on the Internet website of the Department that relates to caregiver training.(B) Family members.—The Secretary shall carry out the component of the education program that relates to the education and training of non-caregiver family members at facilities of the Department as follows:(i) Not less than five medical centers of the Department.(ii) Not less than five clinics of the Department.(iii) Not less than five Vet Centers (as defined in section 1712A(h) of title 38, United States Code).(C) Solicitation of applications.—In selecting locations pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall solicit applications from eligible facilities of the Department that are interested in carrying out the education program.(D) Considerations.—In selecting locations pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and advisability of selecting locations in the following areas:(i) Rural areas.134 STAT. 1034(ii) Areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty installation.(iii) Areas in different geographic locations.(4) Contracts.—(A) In general.—In carrying out the education program, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with qualified entities described in subparagraph (B) to offer the course of education described in paragraph (5) to family members and caregivers of eligible veterans and covered veterans.(B) Qualified entity described.—A qualified entity described in this subparagraph is a non-profit entity with experience in mental health education and outreach, including work with children, teens, and young adults, that—(i) uses high quality, relevant, and age-appropriate information in educational programming, materials, and coursework, including such programming, materials, and coursework for children, teens, and young adults; and(ii) works with agencies, departments, nonprofit mental health organizations, early childhood educators, and mental health providers to develop educational programming, materials, and coursework.(C) Priority.—In entering into contracts under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to qualified entities that have demonstrated cultural competence in serving military and veteran populations, and, to the extent practicable, use internet technology for the delivery of course content in an effort to expand the availability of support services, especially in rural areas.(5) Course of education described.—The course of education described in this paragraph shall consist of curriculum that includes the following:(A) General education on different mental health disorders, including information to improve understanding of the experiences of individuals suffering from such disorders.(B) Techniques for handling crisis situations and administering mental health first aid to individuals suffering from a mental health disorder.(C) Techniques for coping with the stress of living with an individual suffering from a mental health disorder.(D) Information on additional services available for family members and caregivers through the Department or community organizations and providers related to mental health disorders.(E) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.(c) Surveys.—(1) In general.—The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive survey of the satisfaction of individuals that have participated in the course of education described in subsection (b)(5). Such survey shall include a solicitation of feedback on the following:(A) The general satisfaction of those individuals with the education and assistance provided under the education program.134 STAT. 1035(B) The perceived effectiveness of the education program in providing education and assistance that is useful for those individuals.(C) The applicability of the education program to the issues faced by those individuals.(D) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.(2) Compilation of information.—The information compiled as a result of the surveys conducted under paragraph (1) shall be—(A) disaggregated by facility type at which the education program was carried out; and(B) included in the annual reports under subsection (d)(1).(d) Reports.—(1) Annual reports.—(A) In general.—Not later than one year after the date of the commencement of the education program and not later than September 30 each year thereafter until 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on—(i) the education program; and(ii) the feasibility and advisability of expanding the education program to include the establishment of a peer support program composed of individuals who complete the education program (in this section referred to as a “peer support program”).(B) Elements.—Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:(i) The number of individuals that participated in the course of education described in subsection (b)(5) during the year preceding the submission of the report.(ii) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under subsection (c) with respect to the individuals described in clause (i).(iii) Any plans for expansion of the education program.(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a peer support program.(v) The interim findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the success of the education program and the feasibility and advisability of establishing a peer support program.(2) Final report.—(A) In general.—Not later than one year after the completion of the education program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a final report on the feasibility and advisability of continuing the education program.(B) Elements.—The final report under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:(i) A detailed analysis of the surveys conducted under subsection (c).(ii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of continuing the education program without entering 134 STAT. 1036 into contracts for the course of education described in subsection (b)(5).(iii) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of expanding the education program.(iv) An analysis of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a peer support program.(e) Monitoring of Program.—The Secretary shall select mental health care providers of the Department to monitor the progress of the instruction provided under the education program.(f) Definitions.—In this section:(1) The term “eligible veteran” means a veteran who is enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.(2) The terms “caregiver” and “family member” have the meaning given those terms in section 1720G(d) of title 38, United States Code.