Solid Start program

38 U.S.C. § 6320

• Title: 38 — Veterans' Benefits
• Chapter: SUBCHAPTER II—OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Text

(a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a program, to be known as the "Solid Start program", under which the Secretary shall—
(1) build the capacity of the Department to efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and needs of veterans who have recently separated from the Armed Forces; and
(2) systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to assist veterans, including efforts—
(A) to proactively reach out to newly separated veterans to inform them of their eligibility for programs of and benefits provided by the Department, including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of this title and the ability to seek care and services under sections 1703 and 1710 of this title; and
(B) to connect veterans in crisis to resources that address their immediate needs.
(b) Activities of the Solid Start Program.—(1) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall carry out the Solid Start program of the Department by—
(A) collecting up-to-date contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for all members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces, while explaining the existence and purpose of the Solid Start program;
(B) calling each veteran, regardless of separation type or characterization of service, three times within the first year after separation of the veteran from the Armed Forces;
(C) providing information about the Solid Start program on the website of the Department and in materials of the Department, especially transition booklets and other resources;
(D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of each veteran's unique situation by conducting quality assurance tests;
(E) prioritizing outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces;
(F) providing women veterans with information that is tailored to their specific health care and benefit needs;
(G) as feasible, providing information on access to State and local resources, including Vet Centers and veterans service organizations; and
(H) gathering and analyzing data assessing the effectiveness of the Solid Start program.
(2) The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by—
(A) encouraging members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate points of contact who can be reached should the member be unavailable during the first year following the separation of the member from the Armed Forces; and
(B) following up missed phone calls with tailored mailings to ensure the veteran still receives similar information.
(3) In this subsection:
(A) The term "Vet Center" has the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of this title.
(B) The term "veterans service organization" means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title.

History

(Added Pub. L. 117–205, §2(a), Oct. 17, 2022, 136 Stat. 2232; amended Pub. L. 118–210, title I, §102(b), Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2710.)

Editorial Notes

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2025—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–210 inserted ", including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of this title and the ability to seek care and services under sections 1703 and 1710 of this title" before "; and".

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2010—Pub. L. 111–163, title III, §302(b), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1149, added item for chapter 75.
2006—Pub. L. 109–461, title IX, §903(a)(2), Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3464, added item for chapter 79.
1998—Pub. L. 105–368, title V, §512(a)(4)(B), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3341, substituted "Appeals for Veterans Claims" for "Veterans Appeals" in item for chapter 72.
1991—Pub. L. 102–83, §2(d)(3), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 402, added item for chapter 77.
Pub. L. 102–54, §14(e)(1), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 287, inserted "United States" before "Court of Veterans Appeals" in item for chapter 72.
Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §§402(c)(2), 403(e)(1), (f)(2), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 239–241, substituted "BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES" for "BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS" in part heading, renumbered section numbers by substituting "7101" for "4001" in item for chapter 71, "7251" for "4051" in item for chapter 72, and "7601" for "4301" in item for chapter 76, substituted "Veterans Health Administration—Organization and Functions" for "Department of Medicine and Surgery" and "7301" for "4101" in item for chapter 73, added item for chapter 74, struck out item for chapter 75 "Veterans' Canteen Service", and added item for chapter 78.
1988—Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title III, §301(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4121, added item for chapter 72.
Pub. L. 100–322, title II, §216(e)(2), May 20, 1988, 102 Stat. 530, added item for chapter 76.

Editorial Notes

Amendments
2024—Pub. L. 118–196, §5(b), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2673, added item 7114.
2022—Pub. L. 117–300, §2(a)(2)(B), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4380, added item 7112 and struck out former item 7112 "Expedited treatment of remanded claims".
Pub. L. 117–168, §1(b)(2), title VIII, §807(a)(5)(A), Aug. 10, 2022, 136 Stat 1759, 1806, inserted "; decisions; notice" after "Board" in item 7104.
2017—Pub. L. 115–55, §2(q)(2), (s)(2), (u)(3), (w)(3), Aug. 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 1112, 1113, 1115, substituted "Filing of appeal" for "Filing of notice of disagreement and appeal" in item 7105, struck out items 7106 "Administrative appeals" and 7109 "Independent medical opinions", and added item 7113.
2003—Pub. L. 108–183, title VII, §707(b)(2), Dec. 16, 2003, 117 Stat. 2673, added item 7112.
1997—Pub. L. 105–111, §1(b)(2), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2272, added item 7111.
1994—Pub. L. 103–446, title II, §201(a)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4656, added item 7101A.
Pub. L. 103–271, §§6(b), 7(a)(2), (b)(3), July 1, 1994, 108 Stat. 742, 743, substituted "Reconsideration; correction of obvious errors" for "Determinations by the Board" in item 7103, substituted "Appeals: dockets; hearings" for "Docketing of appeals" in item 7107, and struck out item 7110 "Traveling sections".
1991—Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, §402(c)(1), May 7, 1991, 105 Stat. 239, renumbered items 4001 to 4010 as 7101 to 7110, respectively.
1988—Pub. L. 100–687, div. A, title II, §207(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4112, added item 4010.
1962—Pub. L. 87–671, §3, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 557, added item 4009.
Pub. L. 87–666, §2, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 554, added item 4005A, and substituted "Filing of notice of disagreement and appeal" for "Applications for review on appeal" in item 4005, "Administrative appeals" for "Docketing of appeals" in item 4006, and "Docketing of appeals" for "Simultaneously contested claims" in item 4007.