[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3374 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3374
To establish a commission on veterans and members of the Armed Forces
with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other
mental health disorders, to enhance the capacity of mental health care
providers to assist such veterans and members, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2008
Mr. Smith (for himself and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission on veterans and members of the Armed Forces
with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other
mental health disorders, to enhance the capacity of mental health care
providers to assist such veterans and members, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Healing Our Nation's Heroes Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Since October 2001, approximately 1,640,000 members of
the Armed Forces have been deployed as part of Operation
Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(2) 300,000 members of the Armed Forces are suffering from
major depression or post traumatic stress because of service in
Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(3) 320,000 of the members of the Armed Forces who served
in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, or 19
percent of such members, have received brain injuries from such
service.
(4) Only 43 percent of members of the Armed Forces with a
probable traumatic brain injury have reported receiving a
medical evaluation for their head injury.
(5) Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs show that
120,000 members of the Armed Forces who are no longer on active
duty have been diagnosed with mental health problems,
approximately half of whom suffer from post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD).
(6) In the last year, only 53 percent of those members of
the Armed Forces with post traumatic stress disorder or
depression have sought professional help from a mental health
care provider.
(7) Rates of post traumatic stress disorder and depression
are highest among members of the Armed Forces who are women or
members of the Reserves.
(8) Efforts to improve access to quality mental health care
are integral to supporting and treating both active duty
members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
(9) Without quality mental health care, members of the
Armed Forces and veterans may experience lower work
productivity, which negatively affects their physical health,
mental health, and family and social relationships.
(10) Cultural and personal stigmas are factors that
contribute to low rates of veterans of Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who seek mental health care
from qualified mental health care providers.
(11) The capacity of mental health care providers and
access to such providers must be improved to meet the needs of
members of the Armed Forces who are returning from deployment
in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(12) Community-based providers of mental health care are
invaluable assets in addressing the needs of such members and
should not be overlooked.
(13) Coordination of care among government agencies as well
as nongovernmental agencies is integral to the successful
treatment of members of the Armed Forces returning from
deployment.
SEC. 3. COMMISSION ON VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WITH
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY,
OR OTHER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS CAUSED BY SERVICE IN THE
ARMED FORCES.
(a) Establishment of Commission.--There is established a commission
on veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, or other mental health
disorders caused by service in the Armed Forces.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The commission shall be composed of a
chair and members appointed jointly by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense, including not
less than one of each of the following:
(A) Members of the Armed Forces on active duty.
(B) Veterans who are retired from the Armed Forces.
(C) Employees of the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
(D) Employees of the Department of Defense.
(E) Recognized medical or scientific authorities in
fields relevant to the commission, including psychiatry
and medical care.
(F) Mental health professionals who are not
physicians.
(G) Veterans who have undergone treatment for post
traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or
other mental health disorders.
(2) Consideration of recommendations.--In appointing
members of the commission, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
and the Secretary of Defense shall consult with nongovernmental
organizations that represent veterans, members of the Armed
Forces, and families of such veterans and members.
(c) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The commission shall--
(A) oversee the monitoring and treatment of
veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post
traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or
other mental health disorders caused by service in the
Armed Forces; and
(B) conduct a thorough study of all matters
relating to the long-term adverse consequences of such
disorders for such veterans and members, including an
analysis of--
(i) the information gathered from
rescreening data obtained from post deployment
interviews; and
(ii) treatments that have been shown to be
effective in the treatment of post traumatic
stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or
other mental health disorders caused by service
in the Armed Forces.
(2) Recommendations.--The commission shall develop
recommendations on the development of initiatives--
(A) to mitigate the adverse consequences studied
under paragraph (1)(B); and
(B) to reduce cultural stigmas associated with
treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic
brain injury, or other mental health disorders of
veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
(3) Annual reports.--Not later than September 30 each year,
the commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report containing the following:
(A) A detailed statement of the findings and
conclusions of the commission as a result of its
activities under paragraph (1).
(B) The recommendations of the commission developed
under paragraph (2).
(d) Powers of the Commission.--
(1) Site visits.--The commission may visit locations where
veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post traumatic
stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health
disorders caused by service in the Armed Forces receive
treatment for such disorders to carry out the oversight and
monitoring required by subsection (c)(1)(A).
(2) Information from federal agencies.--The commission may
secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
information as the commission considers necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act. Upon request of the chair of the
commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish
such information to the commission.
(e) Termination.--The commission shall be terminated at the joint
discretion of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs.
(f) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 4. HEROES-TO-HEALERS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Part III of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 44--HEROES-TO-HEALERS PROGRAM
``Sec.
``4400. Purposes.
``4401. Definitions.
``4402. Authorization of Heroes-to-Healers Program.
``4403. Recruitment and selection of Program participants.
``4404. Participation agreement and financial assistance.
``4405. Participation by States.
``4406. Reporting requirements.
``4407. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 4400. Purposes
``The purposes of this chapter are--
``(1) to encourage veterans and members of the Armed Forces
separating from the Armed Forces--
``(A) to obtain certification or licensing as
mental health care providers; and
``(B) to obtain employment with Federal, State, and
local agencies and nongovernmental organizations that
provide mental health care to members of the Armed
Forces, veterans, or the families of such members or
veterans; and
``(2) to enhance the capacity of such agencies and
organizations to provide such care, by increasing the number of
individuals seeking employment for the provision of such care.
``Sec. 4401. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) The term `mental health care provider', with respect
to an individual, means a psychiatrist, psychologist, social
worker, psychiatric nurse, mental health counselor, or marriage
and family therapist.
``(2) The term `Program' means the Heroes-to-Healers
Program authorized by section 4402 of this title and described
in this chapter.
``Sec. 4402. Authorization of Heroes-to-Healers Program
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize--
``(1) the Heroes-to-Healers Program; and
``(2) a mechanism for the funding and administration of
such program.
``(b) Program Authorized.--(1) The Secretary may carry out a
program--
``(A) to assist eligible individuals described in section
4403 of this title in obtaining certification or licensing (as
prescribed for under applicable State law) as mental health
care providers; and
``(B) to facilitate the employment of such individuals, by
Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental
organizations that provide mental health care to members of the
Armed Forces, veterans, or the families of such members or
veterans, to provide such care.
``(2) The program authorized by paragraph (1) and described in this
chapter shall be known as the `Heroes-to-Healers Program'.
``(c) Administration of Program.--The Secretary shall administer
the Program in consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
``(d) Information Regarding Program.--The Secretary shall provide
to the Secretary of Defense information regarding the Program and
applications for participation in the Program, for distribution as part
of preseparation counseling provided under section 1142 of title 10 to
members of the Armed Forces described in section 4403 of this title.
``(e) Placement Assistance and Referral Services.--The Secretary
may, with the agreement of the Secretary of Defense, provide placement
assistance and referral services to individuals who meet the criteria
described in section 4403 of this title.
``Sec. 4403. Recruitment and selection of Program participants
``(a) Eligible Individuals.--The following individuals are eligible
for selection to participate in the Program:
``(1) Any individual who--
``(A) was a member of the Armed Forces and becomes
entitled to retired or retainer pay in the manner
provided in title 10 or title 14; or
``(B) has an approved date of retirement from
service in the Armed Forces.
``(2) Any individual who--
``(A)(i) is separated or released from active duty
in the Armed Forces after two or more years of
continuous active duty in the Armed Forces immediately
before the separation or release; or
``(ii) has completed a total of at least--
``(I) three years of active duty service in
the Armed Forces;
``(II) three years of service computed
under section 12732 of title 10; or
``(III) three years of any combination of
such service; and
``(B) executes a reserve commitment agreement for a
period of not less than 3 years under subsection
(e)(2).
``(3) Any individual who is retired or separated for
physical disability under chapter 61 of title 10.
``(b) Submission of Applications.--(1) Selection of eligible
individuals to participate in the Program shall be made on the basis of
applications submitted to the Secretary within the time periods
specified in paragraph (2). An application shall be in such form and
contain such information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) An application of an individual shall be considered to be
submitted on a timely basis under paragraph (1) if the application is
submitted not later than five years after the date on which the
individual is retired, separated, or released from active duty in the
Armed Forces, as the case may be.
``(c) Selection Criteria.--(1) The Secretary shall prescribe the
criteria to be used to select eligible individuals to participate in
the Program.
``(2) An individual is eligible to participate in the Program only
if the individual's last period of service in the Armed Forces was
honorable, as characterized by the Secretary concerned. An individual
selected to participate in the Program before the retirement of the
individual or the separation or release of the individual from active
duty in the Armed Forces may continue to participate in the Program
after the retirement, separation, or release only if the individual's
last period of service is characterized as honorable by the Secretary
concerned.
``(d) Selection Priorities.--In selecting eligible individuals to
receive assistance under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority
to individuals who engaged in combat while serving in the Armed Forces.
``(e) Other Conditions on Selection.--(1) The Secretary may not
select an eligible individual to participate in the Program under this
section and receive financial assistance under section 4404 of this
title unless the Secretary has sufficient appropriations for the
Program available at the time of the selection to satisfy the
obligations to be incurred by the United States under section 4404 of
this title with respect to the individual.
``(2) The Secretary may not select an eligible individual described
in subsection (a)(2)(A) to participate in the Program under this
section and receive financial assistance under section 4404 of this
title unless--
``(A) the Secretary notifies the Secretary concerned and
the individual that the Secretary has reserved a full stipend
or bonus under section 4404 of this title for the individual;
and
``(B) the individual executes a written agreement with the
Secretary concerned to serve as a member of the Selected
Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces for a period
of not less than three years (in addition to any other reserve
commitment the individual may have).
``Sec. 4404. Participation agreement and financial assistance
``(a) Participation Agreement.--(1) An eligible individual selected
to participate in the Program under section 4403 of this title and
receive financial assistance under this section shall be required to
enter into an agreement with the Secretary in which the individual
agrees--
``(A) within such time as the Secretary may require, to
obtain certification or licensing as a mental health care
provider; and
``(B) to accept an offer of full-time employment as a
mental health care provider for not less than five years with a
Federal, State, or local agency or nongovernmental organization
that provides mental health care to members of the Armed
Forces, veterans, or the families of such members or veterans.
``(2) The Secretary may waive the five-year commitment described in
paragraph (1)(B) for a participant if the Secretary determines such
waiver to be appropriate. If the Secretary provides the waiver, the
participant shall not be considered to be in violation of the agreement
and shall not be required to provide reimbursement under subsection
(f), for failure to meet the five-year commitment.
``(3) The Secretary shall encourage eligible individuals to seek
employment with mental health care providers located more than 75 miles
from a Department medical center.
``(b) Violation of Participation Agreement; Exceptions.--A
participant in the Program shall not be considered to be in violation
of the participation agreement entered into under subsection (a) during
any period in which the participant--
``(1) is pursuing a full-time course of study related to
the field of mental health care at an institution of higher
education;
``(2) is serving on active duty as a member of the Armed
Forces;
``(3) is temporarily totally disabled for a period of time
not to exceed three years as established by sworn affidavit of
a qualified physician;
``(4) is unable to secure employment for a period not to
exceed 12 months by reason of the care required by a spouse who
is disabled;
``(5) is a mental health care provider who is seeking and
unable to find full-time employment as a mental health care
provider in a Federal, State, or local agency or
nongovernmental organization that provides mental health care
to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, or the families of
such members or veterans for a single period not to exceed 27
months; or
``(6) satisfies the provisions of additional reimbursement
exceptions that may be prescribed by the Secretary.
``(c) Stipend for Participants.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary may pay to a participant in the Program selected under
section 4403 of this title a stipend in an amount of not more than
$5,000 per year of participation in the Program.
``(2) The total number of stipends that may be paid under paragraph
(1) in any fiscal year may not exceed 2,500.
``(d) Bonus for Participants.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary of Education may, in lieu of paying a stipend under
subsection (c), pay a bonus of up to $10,000 to a participant in the
Program selected under section 4403 of this title who agrees in the
participation agreement under subsection (a) to become a mental health
care provider and to accept full-time employment as a mental health
care provider for not less than five years in a Federal, State, or
local agency or nongovernmental organization that provides mental
health care to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, or the families
of such members or veterans.
``(2) The total number of bonuses that may be paid under paragraph
(1) in any fiscal year may not exceed 2,000.
``(e) Treatment of Stipend and Bonus.--A stipend or bonus paid
under this section to a participant in the Program shall not be taken
into account in determining the eligibility of the participant for
Federal student financial assistance provided under title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
``(f) Reimbursement Under Certain Circumstances.--(1) A participant
in the Program who is paid a stipend or bonus under this section shall
be required to repay the stipend or bonus under the following
circumstances:
``(A) The participant fails to obtain mental health care
provider certification or licensing, to become a mental health
care provider, or to obtain employment as a mental health care
as required by the participation agreement under subsection
(a).
``(B) The participant voluntarily leaves, or is terminated
for cause from, employment as a mental health care provider
during the five years of required service in violation of the
participation agreement.
``(C) The participant executed a written agreement with the
Secretary concerned under section 4403(e)(2) of this title to
serve as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces
for a period of three years and fails to complete the required
term of service.
``(2) A participant required to reimburse the Secretary for a
stipend or bonus paid to the participant under this section shall pay
an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of the stipend or
bonus as the unserved portion of required service bears to the five
years of required service. Any amount owed by the participant shall
bear interest at the rate equal to the highest rate being paid by the
United States on the day on which the reimbursement is determined to be
due for securities having maturities of 90 days or less and such
interest shall accrue from the day on which the participant is first
notified of the amount due.
``(3) The obligation to reimburse the Secretary under this
subsection is, for all purposes, a debt owing the United States. A
discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 shall not release a participant
from the obligation to reimburse the Secretary under this subsection.
``(4) A participant shall be excused from reimbursement under this
subsection if the participant becomes permanently totally disabled as
established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician. The Secretary
may also waive the reimbursement in cases of extreme hardship to the
participant, as determined by the Secretary.
``(g) Relationship to Educational Assistance Under Titles 10 and
38.--The receipt by a participant in the Program of a stipend or bonus
under this section shall not reduce or otherwise affect the entitlement
of the participant to any benefits under chapters 30, 31, 33, or 35 of
this title or chapters 1606 or 1607 of title 10.
``Sec. 4405. Participation by States
``(a) Discharge of State Activities Through Consortia of States.--
The Secretary may permit States participating in the Program to carry
out activities authorized for such States under the Program through one
or more consortia of such States.
``(b) Assistance to States.--(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary may make grants to States participating in the Program, or to
consortia of such States, in order to permit such States or consortia
of States to operate offices for purposes of recruiting eligible
individuals for participation in the Program and facilitating the
employment of participants in the Program as a mental health care
provider.
``(2) The total amount of grants made under paragraph (1) in any
fiscal year may not exceed $5,000,000.
``Sec. 4406. Reporting requirements
``(a) Annual Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this chapter and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Comptroller General of the
United States, submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the
Program in the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel by
Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental organizations
that provide mental health care to members of the Armed Forces,
veterans, or the families of such members or veterans.
``(b) Elements of Report.--The report submitted under subsection
(a) shall include information on the following:
``(1) The number of participants in the Program.
``(2) The types of positions in which the participants are
employed.
``(3) The populations served by the participants.
``(4) The agencies and organizations in which the
participants are employed as mental health care providers.
``(5) The types of agencies and organizations with which
the participants are employed.
``(6) The geographic distribution of the agencies and
organizations with which participants are employed.
``(7) The rates of retention of the participants by the
Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental
organizations employing the participants.
``(8) Such other matters as the Secretary considers to be
appropriate.
``Sec. 4407. Authorization of appropriations
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out the provisions of this chapter $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and
each fiscal year thereafter.''.
(b) Clerical Amendments.--The tables of chapters at the beginning
of title 38, United States Code, and at the beginning of part III of
such title, are each amended by inserting after the item relating to
chapter 43 the following new item:
``44. Heroes-to-Healers Program............................. 4400''.
SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE STATE AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH
AGENCIES TO ESTABLISH, EXPAND, OR ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS.
(a) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this section to establish a
program to recruit and retain highly qualified mid-career professionals
and recent graduates of an institution of higher education, as
psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses,
mental health counselors, or marriage and family therapists.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
entity described in subsection (c)(2).
(2) Eligible participant.--The term ``eligible
participant'' means--
(A) an individual with substantial, demonstrable
career experience; or
(B) an individual who has graduated from an
institution of higher education not more than 3 years
prior to applying to an eligible entity to become to be
a mental health provider under this section.
(3) Mental health provider.--The term ``mental health
provider'' means a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker,
psychiatric nurse, mental health counselor, marriage or family
therapist, or any other provider determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(c) Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, establish a
program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible
entities to encourage State and local mental health agencies or
other entities to establish, expand, or enhance mental health
provider recruitment and retention efforts. The Secretary may
establish tiered grant award amounts based on criteria
including specific need for highly qualified mental health
providers by profession within a high demand area, geographic
location, and existing compensation rates.
(2) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an entity shall be--
(A) a State health agency;
(B) a high-need local health agency;
(C) a for-profit or nonprofit organization that has
a proven record of effectively recruiting and retaining
highly qualified mental health providers, that has
entered into a partnership with a high-need local
health agency or with a State health agency;
(D) an institution of higher education that has
entered into a partnership with a high-need local
health agency or with a State health agency;
(E) a regional consortium of State health agencies;
or
(F) a consortium of high-need local health
agencies.
(3) Priority.--In awarding a grant under this subsection,
the Secretary shall give priority to a partnership or
consortium that includes a high-need State agency or local
health agency.
(4) Application.--
(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
(B) Contents.--An application submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall include a description of--
(i) one or more target recruitment groups
on which the applicant will focus its
recruitment efforts under the grant;
(ii) the characteristics of each such
target group that--
(I) demonstrate the knowledge and
experience of the group's members; and
(II) demonstrate that the members
are eligible to achieve the purposes of
this section;
(iii) the manner in which the applicant
will use funds received under the grant to
develop a cadre of mental health providers, or
other programs to recruit and retain highly
qualified midcareer professionals, recent
college graduates, and recent graduate school
graduates, as highly qualified mental health
providers, in high-need military or veterans
communities, or as part of entities providing
care to military or veterans in medical
facilities;
(iv) the manner in which the program
carried out under the grant will comply with
relevant State laws related to mental health
provider certification or licensing and
facilitate the certification or licensing of
such mental health providers;
(v) the manner in which activities under
the grant will increase the number of highly
qualified mental health providers, in high-need
Federal, State and local agencies (in urban or
rural areas), and in high-need mental health
professions, in the jurisdiction served by the
applicant; and
(vi) the manner in which the applicant will
collaborate, as needed, with other
institutions, agencies, or organizations to
recruit (particularly through activities that
have proven effective in retaining highly
qualified mental health providers), train,
place, support, and provide mental health
induction programs to eligible participants
under this section, including providing
evidence of the commitment of the institutions,
agencies, or organizations to the applicant's
programs.
(5) Duration of grant.--The Secretary may award grants
under this subsection for periods of 5 years. At the end of the
5-year period for such a grant, the grant recipient may apply
for an additional grant under this section.
(6) Equitable distribution.--To the extent practicable, the
Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of
grants under this subsection among the regions of the United
States.
(7) Use of funds.--
(A) In general.--An entity shall use amounts
received under a grant under this subsection to develop
a cadre of mental health providers in order to
establish, expand, or enhance mental health provider
recruitment and retention programs for highly qualified
mid-career professionals, and recent graduates of an
institution of higher education, who are eligible
participants.
(B) Authorized activities.--A program carried out
under subparagraph (A) shall include 2 or more of the
following activities:
(i) To provide scholarships, stipends,
bonuses, and other financial incentives, that
are linked to participation in activities that
have proven effective in retaining mental
health providers in high-need areas operated by
Federal, State and local health agencies, to
all eligible participants, in an amount that
shall not be less than $5,000, nor more than
$20,000, per participant.
(ii) To carry out pre- and post-placement
induction or support activities that have
proven effective in recruiting and retaining
mental health providers, such as--
(I) mentoring;
(II) providing internships;
(III) providing high-quality,
preservice coursework; and
(IV) providing high-quality,
sustained inservice professional
development.
(iii) To make payments to pay the costs
associated with accepting mental health
providers under this section from among
eligible participants or to provide financial
incentives to prospective mental health
providers who are eligible participants.
(iv) To collaborate with institutions of
higher education in the development and
implementation of programs to facilitate mental
health provider recruitment (including
credentialing and licensing) and mental health
retention programs.
(v) To carry out other programs, projects,
and activities that are designed and have
proven to be effective in recruiting and
retaining mental health providers, and that the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(vi) To develop long-term mental health
provider recruitment and retention strategies,
including developing--
(I) a national, statewide or
regionwide clearinghouse for the
recruitment and placement of mental
health providers;
(II) reciprocity agreements between
or among States for the certification
or licensing of mental health
providers; or
(III) other long-term teacher
recruitment and retention strategies.
(C) Effective programs.--An entity shall use
amounts received under a grant under this subsection
only for programs that have proven to be effective in
both recruiting and retaining mental health providers
(as determined by the Secretary).
(8) Requirements.--
(A) Targeting.--An entity that receives a grant
under this subsection shall ensure that participants in
the program carried out under the grant who are
recruited with funds made available under the grant are
placed in high-need areas operated by high-need
Federal, State, and local health agencies. In placing
such participants in mental health facilities, such
entity shall give priority to facilities that are
located in--
(i) rural under served areas; or
(ii) urban areas with high percentages of
individuals who are members of the Armed Forces
or veterans.
(B) Supplement, not supplant.--Amounts made
available under this section shall be used to
supplement, and not supplant, State and local public
funds expended for mental health provider recruitment
and retention programs.
(C) Partnerships and consortia of local health
agencies.--In the case of a partnership established by
a Federal, State, or local health agency to carry out a
program under this section, or a consortium of such
agencies established to carry out such a program, the
Federal, State, or local health agency or consortium
shall not be eligible to receive funds through a State
program under this section.
(9) Period of service.--A participant in a program under
this subsection who receives training through the program shall
serve at a high-need medical facility or an agency operated by
a high-need Federal, State, or local health agency for a term
of not less than 3 years.
(10) Repayment.--The Secretary shall establish such
requirements as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to
ensure that a participant in a program under this section who
receives a stipend or other financial incentive as provided for
in paragraph (7)(B)(i), but who fails to complete their service
obligation under paragraph (9), repays all or a portion of such
stipend or other incentive.
(11) Administrative funds.--An entity that receives a grant
under this subsection shall not use more than 5 percent of the
funds made available under the grant for the administration of
a program under this subsection.
(12) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary in each fiscal
year to carry out this subsection.
(d) Evaluation and Accountability for Recruiting and Retaining
Mental Health Providers.--
(1) Evaluation.--An entity that receives a grant under this
section shall--
(A) within 30 days of the end of the 3rd year of
the grant period, conduct an interim evaluation of the
program funded under the grant; and
(B) within 30 days of the end of the 5th year of
the grant period, conduct a final evaluation of the
program funded under the grant.
(2) Contents.--In conducting an evaluation under paragraph
(1), an entity shall describe the extent to which State and
local agencies that received funds through the grant have met
the goals relating to mental health provider recruitment and
retention described in the application submitted by the entity
under paragraph (4).
(3) Reports.--An entity that receives a grant under this
Act shall prepare and submit to the Secretary and the
appropriate committees of Congress, an interim and final report
that contains the results of the interim and final evaluations
carried out under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1),
respectively.
(4) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that the
recipient of a grant under this section has not made
substantial progress in meeting the goals and the objectives of
the grant by the end of the 3rd year of the grant period, the
Secretary shall--
(A) revoke any payments made for the 4th year of
the grant period; and
(B) not make any payment for the 5th year of the
grant period.
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