VITAL Assessment Act of 2021

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the VITAL Assessment Act of 2021 2. Veterans integration to academic leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Contents The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) The number of medical centers of the Department, institutions of higher learning, noncollege degree programs, and student veterans supported by the program, and relevant trends since the program began. (B) The staff and resources allocated to the program, and relevant trends since the program began. (C) An assessment of the outcomes and effectiveness of the program in— (i) supporting student veterans; (ii) connecting student veterans to needed services of the Department or services provided by non-Department entities; (iii) addressing the mental health needs of student veterans; (iv) lowering the suicide risk of student veterans; and (v) helping student veterans achieve educational goals. (D) An assessment of barriers to expanding the program and how the Secretary intends to address such barriers. (E) An assessment of whether the program should be expanded outside of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to support student veterans with needs unrelated to mental health or suicide. (b) Uniform best practices, goals, and measures The Secretary shall establish best practices, goals, and measures for the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department that are uniform among the medical centers of the Department. (c) Outreach The Secretary shall conduct outreach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of higher learning, and non-college degree programs with respect to the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department. (d) Assessment The Secretary shall assess the feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Department. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Institution of higher learning The term institution of higher learning (2) Student veteran The term student veteran (A) A veteran or member of the Armed Forces using educational assistance under any of the following provisions of law: (i) Chapter 30, 31, 32, or 33 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 or 1607 of title 10, United States Code. (ii) Section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–48 38 U.S.C. 3001 (iii) Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law 117–2 38 U.S.C. 3001 (B) A veteran who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning or other training program, without regard to whether the veteran is using educational assistance specified in subparagraph (A).

Summary: VITAL Assessment Act of 2021 This bill implements changes related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program, which focuses on enhancing student veterans' academic success and retention by assisting with things like mental and physical health. The VA must report on the program and establish best practices, goals, and measures for the program that are uniform among the VA's medical centers. The bill also requires the VA to conduct outreach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of higher learning, and noncollege degree programs regarding the VITAL program. Additionally, the VA must assess the feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.