Congress enacts federal funding for County Veteran Service Officers

Key Takeaways

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan, bicameral Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement (Dole) Act (H.R. 8371/S. 141). This omnibus-style legislation compiled several proposals that seek to modernize the delivery of healthcare, benefits and services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

NACo has been working in a coordinated fashion with other Veteran Service Organizations to pass this legislation because it included, for the first time, federal resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) through a new competitive grant program. The provision is a slimmed-down version of the NACo endorsed, the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R. 984/S.106).

Federal Funding for CVSOs

Section 302 of the Dole Act authorizes $10 million annually for two years to create a new program to award competitive grants to CVSOs, through the states, to create, expand or support CVSOs or similar local entities, prioritizing areas with high rates of veteran suicide, Veteran Crisis Line referrals or critical CVSO shortages.

Under the bill, states would submit an application containing a detailed plan for the use of these funds, demonstrating that the dollars will supplement and not supplant current state or local funding. The legislation would also direct the VA Secretary to develop guidance for outcome measures to determine the effectiveness of the programs. Funding may also be used to hire new or additional CVSO and provide technical and accreditation training for existing staff to serve veterans more effectively. States without CVSOs would also benefit under this legislation, as it would allow the VA Secretary to partner with state, local or tribal entities to improve service delivery.  

View NACo’s statement on the Dole Act passage