Bill > HR226

This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher learning. The program will focus on collaborating with veterans service organizations that assist veterans in filing disability compensation claims, and educational institutions that provide pro bono legal assistance to veterans. The Secretary will establish metrics to determine which organizations and institutions provide the best service to veterans and encourage their participation in the pilot program. The program will be carried out in states with the highest veteran populations, and the Secretary will use social media to promote the collaboration efforts and notify veterans of such collaborations. Quarterly reports will be provided to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs detailing the social media reach and the number of veterans who use the program.