Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 122.djvu/4140

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12 2 STA T .4 11 7PUBLIC LA W 11 0–38 7 —O CT. 10 , 2008 (3)Throug ho t h e r ap propr i ate e n titie s un d er c ontracts or other agree m ents entered into by the S ecretary o fV eterans A ffairs for the pro v ision of such services for purposes of the pi l ot program . (c) DURATION . — The pilot program shall be carried out during the three - year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program. (d) P RO G RA ML O C ATION S .— ( 1 ) I NG E NERA L .—The pilot program shall be carried out w ithin areas selected by the Secretary for the purpose of the pilot program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service N etwor k s (VISNs). ( 2 ) R URAL GEOGRA PH IC LOCATIONS.—The locations selected shall be in rural geographic locations that , as determined by the Secretary, lack access to comprehensive mental health serv- ices through the Department of Veterans Affairs. (3) Q UALI F IE D PRO V IDERS.—In selecting locations for the pilot program, the Secretary shall select locations in which an ade q uate number of licensed mental health care providers with credentials equivalent to those of Department mental health care providers are available in Indian H ealth Service facilities, community mental health centers, and other entities for participation in the pilot program. (e) PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM.— E ach community mental health center, facility of the Indian Health Service, or other entity participating in the pilot program under subsection (b) shall— (1) provide the services described in paragraphs (3) and ( 4 ) of subsection (a) to eligible veterans, including, to the e x tent practicable, telehealth services that link the center or facility with Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians

(2) use the clinical practice guidelines of the Veterans Health Administration or the Department of Defense in the provision of such services; and (3) meet such other requirements as the Secretary shall require. (f) C OMPLIANCE W ITH DEPARTMENT PROTOCOLS.—Each commu- nity mental health center, facility of the Indian Health Service, or other entity participating in the pilot program under subsection (b) shall comply with— (1) applicable protocols of the Department before incurring any liability on behalf of the Department for the provision of services as part of the pilot program; and (2) access and quality standards of the Department relevant to the provision of services as part of the pilot program. (g) PROVISION OF CLINICAL INFORMATION.—Each community mental health center, facility of the Indian Health Service, or other entity participating in the pilot program under subsection (b) shall, in a timely fashion, provide the Secretary with such clinical informa- tion on each veteran for whom such health center or facility provides mental health services under the pilot program as the Secretary shall require. (h) TRAINING.— (1) TRAINING OF VETERANS.—As part of the pilot program, the Secretary shall carry out a program of training for veterans described in subsection (a) to provide the services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of such subsection. (2) TRAINING OF CLINICIANS.— Requir e m e nts.