Bill
Bill > S2106
US S2106
US S2106A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and publish an action plan for improving the vocational rehabilitation services and assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
summary
Introduced
09/30/2015
09/30/2015
In Committee
09/30/2015
09/30/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act of 2015 Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and publish an action plan for improving the training and rehabilitation services and assistance provided by the VA for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Requires such plan to include: a comprehensive analysis of, and recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for remedying, workload management challenges at VA regional offices, including steps to reduce counselor case loads of veterans participating in a rehabilitation program; a comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the disproportionately low percentage of veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a VA rehabilitation program relative to the percentage of such veterans who use their entitlement to VA educational assistance; recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for encouraging more veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to participate in VA rehabilitation programs; and a national staff training program for vocational rehabilitation counselors, that includes the provision of training to assist counselors in understanding the very profound disorientation experienced by warriors because of their injury, training to assist counselors in working in partnership with veterans on individual rehabilitation plans, and training on post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions and on moderate to severe traumatic brain injury that is designed to improve the ability of such counselors to assist veterans with such conditions.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act of 2015, mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) create and release a comprehensive action plan within 270 days to enhance the vocational rehabilitation services and assistance provided to veterans with service-connected disabilities, which are injuries or illnesses incurred during military service. The plan must address workload management issues at VA regional offices, including reducing the number of veterans each counselor is responsible for, especially those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also requires an analysis of why fewer disabled veterans who served after September 11, 2001, participate in these rehabilitation programs compared to those who use their educational benefits, and proposes strategies to encourage greater participation. Furthermore, the bill calls for a national training program for VA vocational rehabilitation counselors, equipping them to better understand the disorientation veterans experience due to their disabilities, to collaborate effectively with veterans on personalized rehabilitation plans, and to provide informed assistance for conditions like PTSD, other mental health issues, and moderate to severe TBI.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. (on 11/18/2015)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2106/all-info | 10/02/2015 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114s2106is/pdf/BILLS-114s2106is.pdf | 10/06/2015 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114s2106is/pdf/BILLS-114s2106is.pdf.pdf | 10/06/2015 |
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