PILOT PROGRAM ON PROVISION OF READJUSTMENT AND TRANSITION ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN COOPERATION WITH VET CENTERS.

SEC. 302. PILOT PROGRAM ON PROVISION OF READJUSTMENT AND TRANSITION ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN COOPERATION WITH VET CENTERS.(a) Pilot Program.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out, through a non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity, a pilot program to assess the feasability and advisability of providing readjustment and transition assistance described in subsection (b) to veterans and their families in cooperation with centers under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as “Vet Centers”).(b) Readjustment and Transition Assistance.—Readjustment and transition assistance described in this subsection is assistance as follows:(1) Readjustment and transition assistance that is preemptive, proactive, and principle-centered.(2) Assistance and training for veterans and their families in coping with the challenges associated with making the transition from military to civilian life.(c) Non-Department of Veterans Affairs Entity.—122 STAT. 4121(1) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through any for-profit or non-profit organization selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program that has demonstrated expertise and experience in the provision of assistance and training described in subsection (b).(2) Contract or agreement.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through a non-Department entity described in paragraph (1) pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into by the Secretary and the entity for purposes of the pilot program.(d) Commencement of Pilot Program.—The pilot program shall commence not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.(e) Duration of Pilot Program.—The pilot program shall be carried out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program, and may be carried out for additional one-year periods thereafter.(f) Location of Pilot Program.—(1) In general.—The Secretary shall provide assistance under the pilot program in cooperation with 10 centers described in subsection (a) designated by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.(2) Designations.—In designating centers described in subsection (a) for purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary shall designate centers so as to provide a balanced geographical representation of such centers throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, tribal lands, and other territories and possessions of the United States.(g) Participation of Centers.—A center described in subsection (a) that is designated under subsection (f) for participation in the pilot program shall participate in the pilot program by promoting awareness of the assistance and training available to veterans and their families through—(1) the facilities and other resources of such center;(2) the non-Department of Veterans Affairs entity selected pursuant to subsection (c); and(3) other appropriate mechanisms.(h) Additional Support.—In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary may enter into contracts or other agreements, in addition to the contract or agreement described in subsection (c), with such other non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities meeting the requirements of subsection (c) as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot program.(i) Report on Pilot Program.—(1) Report required.—Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional veterans affairs committees a report on the pilot program.(2) Elements.—Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:(A) A description of the activities under the pilot program as of the date of such report, including the number of veterans and families provided assistance under the pilot program and the scope and nature of the assistance so provided.122 STAT. 4122(B) A current assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program.(C) Any recommendations that the Secretary considers appropriate for the extension or expansion of the pilot program.(3) Congressional veterans affairs committees defined.—In this subsection, the term “congressional veterans affairs committees” means—(A) the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate; and(B) the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives.(j) Authorization of Appropriations.—(1) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011 $1,000,000 to carry out this section.(2) Availability.—Amounts authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.