PILOT PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR HOMELESS CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL AND OTHER VETERANS.

SEC. 115. PILOT PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR HOMELESS CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL AND OTHER VETERANS. (a) Authority for Program.— (1) The Administrator shall conduct a pilot program to provide care and treatment and rehabilitative services (directly or by contract) in halfway houses, therapeutic communities, psychiatric residential treatment centers, and other community-based treatment facilities to homeless veterans suffering from chronic mental illness disabilities who are eligible for care under section 610(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code. (2) As part of the pilot program, the Administrator may also provide such care and treatment and rehabilitative services— (A) to veterans being furnished hospital or nursing home care by the Administrator for a chronic mental illness disability; and (B) to veterans with service-connected chronic mental illness disabilities. (b) Criteria for Facilities.— Before furnishing care and treatment and rehabilitative services by contract under subsection (a) to a veteran through a facility described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall approve (in accordance with criteria which the Administrator shall prescribe) the quality and effectiveness of the program operated by such facility for the purpose for which such veteran is to be furnished such care and services. (c) In-Kind Assistance.— The Administrator may provide in-kind assistance (through the services of Veterans’ Administration employees and the sharing of other Veterans’ Administration resources) to a facility described in subsection (a) under this section. Any such in-kind assistance shall be provided under a contract between the Veterans’ Administration and the contract facility. The Administrator may provide such assistance only for use solely in the furnishing of appropriate care and services under this section and only if, under such contract, the Veteran’ Administration receives reimbursement for the full cost of such assistance, including the cost of services and supplies and normal depreciation and amortization of equipment. Such reimbursement may be made by reduction in the charges to the United States or by payment to the United States. Any funds received through such reimbursement shall be credited to funds allotted to the Veterans’ Administration facility that provided the assistance. (d) Duration of Program.— The authority for the pilot program authorized by this section expires on September 30, 1989. (e) Report.— Not later than February 1, 1989, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the experience of the Veteran’ Administration under the pilot program through September 30, 1988, and the recommendation of the Administrator (together with the reasons for such recommendation) as to whether the pilot program should be continued. (f) Funding.— (1) There is authorized to be appropriated for the pilot program under this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1988 and 1989. (2) Of the amounts appropriated for the pilot program for each such fiscal year, not less than $250,000 shall be expended for 102 STAT. 502management and monitoring of the program to ensure that a high quality of care is provided under the program and to ensure an accurate accounting of hinds for the program. (3) During fiscal year 1989, funds may not be obligated for the pilot program under this section other than funds specifically appropriated for that program. (g) Repeal of Contract Authority in Title 38.— (1) Section 620C is repealed. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 is amended by striking out the item relating to that section.