Skip to main content
S 1583 113th Congress Senate Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversight Emergency medical services and trauma care Health care coverage and access Health information and medical records Health promotion and preventive care Mental health Rural conditions and development Veterans' medical care

Mental Health Support for Veteran Families and Caregivers Act of 2013

Introduced: October 28, 2013 Introduced by: Sanders, Bernard Independent · Vermont See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 30, 2013
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-280.
Oct 28, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Oct 28, 2013
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Mental Health Support for Veteran Families and Caregivers Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) enter into contracts to conduct a 4-year program (with authorization for a 4-year extension) to provide a course of education to family members and caregivers of veterans on matters relating to coping with veterans' mental health disorders; (2) carry out such program in at least 10 VA medical centers, 10 VA clinics, and 10 centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans (vet centers); (3) expand such program (within 2 years) to include at least 10 additional medical centers, clinics, and vet centers; and (4) select VA mental health care providers to monitor the progress of the instruction provided under such education program.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide peer support to family members and caregivers of veterans on matters relating to coping with veterans mental health disorders; (2) provide such peer support, through group meetings conducted at least twice each calendar quarter, at each facility in which the education program is provided; (3) select an individual who has completed the education program to serve as a peer support coordinator for each facility; and (4) select a VA mental health care provider to serve as a mentor to each coordinator.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a survey of the satisfaction of program participants.

What's happening now October 30, 2013

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-280.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1