STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Veterans Affairs
In the matter of rulemaking proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CREATING RULES
PROPOSED ORDER
A proposed order of the Department of Veterans Affairs to create ch. VA 11; relating to the veterans outreach and recovery program. The scope statement for this rule, SS 104-19, was approved by the Governor on October 3, 2019, published in Register No. 766A1 on October 7, 2019, and approved for implementation by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on October 17, 2019.
ANALYSIS
Analysis prepared by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Statutes interpreted:
Statutory authority:
Explanation of agency authority:
Section 45.03 (2), Stats., provides that the Secretary may promulgate rules necessary to carry out the purposes of Chapter 45 of the Wisconsin Statutes and the powers and duties conferred upon it. Related statute or rule:
None
Plain language analysis:
The objective of the proposed rule is to create a new rule chapter to be designated as Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter VA 11, Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program. The proposed rule will establish rules for the implementation and administration of the veterans outreach and recovery program. The goal of the veterans outreach and recovery program is to assist and support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, have a mental health or substance use disorder, and to assist the veterans with all aspects of daily living with a focus on home, health, recovery, purpose, and community.
The proposed rules define terms and specify application procedures, eligibility requirements, assessment of applicants, terms of assistance provided, and creates other provisions necessary to administer the program.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
38 U.S. Code §§ 2021-2023 provides for USDVA officials to develop a coordinated plan for outreach to veterans at risk of homelessness. The outreach plan is required to include strategies to ensure that mentoring programs, recovery support groups, and other support networks are optimally available to veterans to increase access to case management services, employment services, and the appropriate referral sources for mental health and substance abuse services. In developing and carrying out the program, the USDVA is required to consult with public and private organizations for assistance in identifying and contacting veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and to coordinate appropriate outreach activities and services provided by those organizations.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Illinois statutes provide appropriations for grant programs to entities for the purpose of establishing mobile assistance units to provide mental health and preventive health screenings and services, crisis intervention, with an emphasis on targeting homeless veterans and other veterans facing obstacles, including those in rural and medically underserved areas. Additional, Illinois statutes also provide for the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, which is funded, in part, from revenue from the Illinois veterans scratch-off game for the purpose of funding grants, services, and programs, and projects relating to veterans post-traumatic stress disorder and homelessness.
Iowa: Iowa statutes provide appropriations for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund to be used for the benefit of veterans and the spouses and dependents of veterans. Moneys may be expended on individual counseling or family counseling programs, rental housing assistance for veterans who meet the definition of homeless or monetary assistance on a one-time basis to be used to prevent homelessness, and expenses related to survivor outreach activities.
Michigan: Michigan statues provide appropriations for the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and may be used to provide temporary financial assistance to veterans.
Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs administers a subsistence aid program provides temporary financial assistance with certain living expenses for eligible veterans. The Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account was established in the special revenue fund and may be used for outreach to underserved veterans and to provide services and programs for veterans and their families.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs designed the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) to connect veterans to community services and provide case management and support, with a focus on treatment and recovery.
In 2014, the DVA, partnered with the Department of Health Services to develop the initial veterans outreach and recovery program that covered 49 counties in Wisconsin using two one-time federal grants. The federal grants expired, resulting in the termination of the program at the end of 2017.
2017 Wisconsin Act 295, enacted on April 16, 2018, made an appropriation and created the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program as a pilot program, enabling the Department to expand the program to include all 72 counties, open up eligibility, and provided a more stable funding source. The program was coordinated by 2 supervisors and 11 regional veterans outreach and recovery coordinators. The pilot program sunset on July 1, 2019. 2019 Wisconsin Act 9, enacted on July 3, 2019, created s. 45.48, Stats., and provides a permanent appropriation for the program under s. 20.485 (2) (qs), requiring the Department to administer a program for the provision of outreach, mental health services, and support to Wisconsin veterans. Pursuant to ss. 45.03 (2m) and 227.14 (2) (a) 6m., Stats., administrative rules prepared by the Department of Veterans Affairs must be provided to the Board of Veterans Affairs. The Board may prepare a report containing written comments and its opinion regarding the proposed rules. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The department posted the rule on the department’s website for 14 days to solicit economic impact comments. The Department received comments from one person, not directly related to the economic impact of the proposed rules.
Effect on small business:
The proposed rules do not affect small business.
Agency Contact:
Mindy Allen, Administrative Rules Coordinator
Department of Veterans Affairs
2135 Rimrock Road, P.O. Box 7843
Madison, WI 53707-7843
(608) 264-6085
Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Comments may be submitted to the contact information listed above no later than the date of the public hearing. The date, time, and place of the public hearing will be published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.
