I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 785 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program 
to provide outreach and training to certain college and university mental 
health centers relating to the mental health of veterans of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 28, 2009 
Ms. TSONGAS (for herself and Mr. MICHAUD) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
a pilot program to provide outreach and training to 
certain college and university mental health centers relat-
ing to the mental health of veterans of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. PILOT PROGRAM ON OUTREACH AND TRAIN-
ING RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH OF VET-
ERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND 
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall carry out a four-year pilot program under which 
the Secretary shall provide covered services to covered 
mental health centers. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this Act: 
(1) The term ‘‘covered mental health center’’ 
means a counseling center, student health or 
wellness center, or student services center at a col-
lege or university with a large enrollment of veterans 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
Freedom, as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered services’’ means out-
reach and training services related to the mental 
health of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Such services shall 
include— 
(A) training for clinicians on treatment for 
mental illnesses commonly experienced by such 
veterans; 
(B) training on providing assistance to 
such veterans in accessing mental health care 
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and services available through the Department 
of Veterans Affairs; 
(C) training for administrative staff who 
interact with such veterans relating to crisis 
management and other relevant skills; 
(D) training of peer counselors on con-
ducting support groups for such veterans; and 
(E) any other service the Secretary deter-
mines is necessary or appropriate. 
(c) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than two 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not 
later than 30 days after the last day of the pilot program 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the pilot program. Each such report 
shall include— 
(1) the names of the colleges and universities at 
which the Secretary is carrying out the pilot pro-
gram; 
(2) the number of veterans of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom enrolled 
at each such college or university; 
(3) a description of the services carried out by 
the Secretary under the pilot program; 
(4) an assessment of the effectiveness of the 
pilot program; and 
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(5) the recommendations of the Secretary with 
respect to the extension or expansion of the pilot 
program. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013. 
Æ 
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