Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D) andCory Gardner (R) introduced the Creating A Reliable Environment (CARE) for Veterans’ Dependents Act. This bipartisan legislation allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to compensate VA Grant and Per Diem program-funded facilities for care provided to dependents of homeless veterans.
The VA Grant and Per Diem program does not currently reimburse facilities for care they provide to the dependents of homeless veterans. In 2017, roughly 2,500 children of homeless veterans were provided care through VA-funded facilities. The Comitis Crisis Center in Aurora provides these services for dependents, but receives no reimbursements.
“Veterans in need of housing support who have kids should have assurance that their families will be supported,” Bennet said. “By reimbursing the facilities that so rightly provide support to these children, we can encourage more holistic care.”
“We have a duty to help veterans struggling with homelessness, and that includes ensuring their children are never left in the cold,” Gardner said. “Our brave men and women who fought for our country deserve reforms to ensure their children have access to proper care, and I’m glad to join Senator Bennet in introducing this bipartisan legislation to fight for our veterans and their families.”
“Mile High Behavioral Healthcare and the Comitis Crisis Center would like to thank Senator Gardner, Senator Bennet, and Senator Murray for their support of the bipartisan CARE Act. Those who have fought for our homeland should never be without a safe place to call home. This includes their dependents. As service members, they fought for our families–and this bill will fight for theirs!” James Gillespie, Community Impact & Government Relations Liaison at the Comitis Crisis Center said.