PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Creates the Solid Start program and requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to strengthen the VA’s ability to quickly answer questions and help veterans who recently left the military. The VA must reach out to newly separated veterans to tell them about benefit eligibility, how to enroll in the annual patient enrollment system under section 1705, and how to seek care under sections 1703 and 1710. The VA must also connect veterans in crisis to immediate help. Under the program, the VA must collect current contact details during transition classes or separation counseling and call each veteran three times within the first year after separation, no matter how they left the military. The VA must put Solid Start information on its website and in transition materials, make calls fit each veteran’s situation, focus on veterans who used mental health care before leaving, give women veterans information tailored to their needs, and, when possible, point to state and local resources including Vet Centers and veterans service organizations. The VA must track and analyze how well the program works. The VA may also ask separating members for alternate contacts and may send tailored mail if calls are missed. Vet Center — defined in section 1712A(h). Veterans service organization — an organization the Secretary recognizes under section 5902.

Title 38, §6320

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—

The Secretary shall carry out a program, to be known as the “Solid Start program”, under which the Secretary shall—

(1)build the capacity of the Department to efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and needs of veterans who have recently separated from the Armed Forces; and

(2)systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to assist veterans, including efforts—

(A)to proactively reach out to newly separated veterans to inform them of their eligibility for programs of and benefits provided by the Department, including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of this title and the ability to seek care and services under section 1703 and 1710 of this title; and

(B)to connect veterans in crisis to resources that address their immediate needs.

(b)Activities of the Solid Start Program.—

(1)The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out the Solid Start program of the Department by—

(A)collecting up-to-date contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for all members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces, while explaining the existence and purpose of the Solid Start program;

(B)calling each veteran, regardless of separation type or characterization of service, three times within the first year after separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces;

(C)providing information about the Solid Start program on the website of the Department and in materials of the Department, especially transition booklets and other resources;

(D)ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of each veteran’s unique situation by conducting quality assurance tests;

(E)prioritizing outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces;

(F)providing women veterans with information that is tailored to their specific health care and benefit needs;

(G)as feasible, providing information on access to State and local resources, including Vet Centers and veterans service organizations; and

(H)gathering and analyzing data assessing the effectiveness of the Solid Start program.

(2)The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by—

(A)encouraging members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate points of contact who can be reached should the member be unavailable during the first year following the separation of the member from the Armed Forces; and

(B)following up missed phone calls with tailored mailings to ensure the veteran still receives similar information.

(3)In this subsection:

(A)The term “Vet Center” has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title.

(B)The term “veterans service organization” means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–210 inserted “, including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of this title and the ability to seek care and services under section 1703 and 1710 of this title” before “; and”.

§6320 Solid Start Program

Summary

Title 38, §6320

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata