38 U.S.C. § 522 — Studies of rehabilitation of disabled per-

Page 89 TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS § 523 § 522. Studies of rehabilitation of disabled per- sons (a) The Secretary may conduct studies and in- vestigations, and prepare reports, relative to the rehabilitation of disabled persons, the relative abilities, aptitudes, and capacities of the several groups of the variously handicapped, and how their potentialities can best be developed and their services best used in gainful and suitable employment including the rehabilitation pro- grams of foreign nations. (b) In carrying out this section, the Secretary (1) may cooperate with such public and private agencies as the Secretary considers advisable; and (2) may employ consultants who shall re- ceive a reasonable per diem, as prescribed by the Secretary, for each day actually employed, plus necessary travel and other expenses. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 390.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior section 522 was renumbered section 1522 of this title. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 217 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). § 523. Coordination and promotion of other pro- grams affecting veterans and their depend- ents (a) The Secretary shall seek to achieve (1) the maximum feasible effectiveness, coordination, and interrelationship of services among all pro- grams and activities affecting veterans and their dependents carried out by and under all other departments, agencies, and instrumental- ities of the executive branch, and (2) the max- imum feasible coordination of such programs with programs carried out under this title. The Secretary shall actively promote the effective implementation, enforcement, and application of all provisions of law and regulations pro- viding for special consideration, emphasis, or preference for veterans. (b) The Secretary shall seek to achieve the ef- fective coordination of the provision, under laws administered by the Department, of benefits and services (and information about such benefits and services) with appropriate programs (and in- formation about such programs) conducted by State and local governmental agencies and by private entities at the State and local level. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall place special emphasis on veterans who are 65 years of age or older. (Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 390.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior sections 523 and 524 were renumbered sections 1523 and 1524 of this title, respectively. Provisions similar to those in this section were con- tained in section 220 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANI- ZATIONS AND LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTI- TIES TO ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE Pub. L. 111–163, title V, § 506, May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1160, as amended by Pub. L. 114–228, title I, § 108, Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 938, provided that: ‘‘(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to as- sess the feasibility and advisability of using commu- nity-based organizations and local and State govern- ment entities— ‘‘(1) to increase the coordination of community, local, State, and Federal providers of health care and benefits for veterans to assist veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian life in such transition; ‘‘(2) to increase the availability of high quality medical and mental health services to veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life; ‘‘(3) to provide assistance to families of veterans who are transitioning from military service to civil- ian life to help such families adjust to such transi- tion; and ‘‘(4) to provide outreach to veterans and their fami- lies to inform them about the availability of benefits and connect them with appropriate care and benefit programs. ‘‘(b) DURATION OF PROGRAM.—The pilot program shall be carried out during the 2-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enact- ment of this Act [May 5, 2010]. ‘‘(c) PROGRAM LOCATIONS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The pilot program shall be car- ried out at five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. ‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting locations for the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider the advis- ability of selecting locations in— ‘‘(A) rural areas; ‘‘(B) areas with populations that have a high pro- portion of minority group representation; ‘‘(C) areas with populations that have a high pro- portion of individuals who have limited access to health care; and ‘‘(D) areas that are not in close proximity to an active duty military installation. ‘‘(d) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through the award of grants to community- based organizations and local and State government entities. ‘‘(e) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A community-based organization or local or State government entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Sec- retary an application therefor in such form and in such manner as the Secretary considers appropriate. ‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: ‘‘(A) A description of the consultations, if any, with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the de- velopment of the proposal under the application. ‘‘(B) A plan to coordinate activities under the pilot program, to the greatest extent possible, with the local, State, and Federal providers of services for veterans to reduce duplication of services and to enhance the effect of such services. ‘‘(f) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—The Secretary shall pre- scribe appropriate uses of grant funds received under the pilot program. ‘‘(g) REPORT ON PROGRAM.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. ‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: ‘‘(A) The findings and conclusions of the Sec- retary with respect to the pilot program.