APA filed a federal comment on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Request for Information VA-2022-VACO-0001opens in new window, regarding veterans’ outdoor recreation. The benefits of recreation on people’s mental and physical well-being have long been recognized, and the VA is seeking input on how to encourage more veterans to take advantage of public lands for recreation. This request comes as part of the implementation of the statutory requirements as part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020, which APA Services supported.
With the input of APA’s Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service)opens in new window, APA Services urged the VA to ensure the final rule reflects the needs of the more than 6,000 psychologists serving at the VA. The comment, filed March 25, 2022, encouraged the VA to conduct additional research on the benefits of engagement in recreational programs, provide training for veterans-specific recreational programs outside the VA, and to improve access to public lands for disabled veterans.
APA’s full comment is available on Regulations.govopens in new window.
For more information, contact Corbin Evans.