Government Watchdog Urges VA to Strengthen Mental Health Support Assessment for Veteran Caregiver Program

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs to enhance its methods for evaluating the effectiveness of mental health support offered through its Caregiver Support Program. This program aims to assist individuals who provide crucial around-the-clock care to veterans with serious injuries or impairments. The GAO’s findings suggest that while the VA does provide various forms of support, including group sessions and respite care, its strategies for measuring outreach effectiveness and assessing the impact of its mental health services require significant improvement. The program, which has seen substantial growth due to expanded eligibility criteria implemented in late 2020, served approximately 98,000 caregivers in fiscal year 2025, with the VA allocating $2.6 billion for its implementation during that period. One local veteran focused non-profit however, said there’s much more work to be done.

The GAO report highlights that although the VA advertises its Caregiver Support Program through channels such as email updates and informational materials at VA medical centers, some caregivers interviewed by the GAO noted they learned about the program later than they would have preferred. These caregivers also expressed concerns that other individuals providing care to veterans may not be fully aware of the mental health resources available to them. While the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has established goals to gauge the success of its outreach, including a target to increase program enrollment by 15% annually, several of these goals lack specific, quantifiable targets and defined timelines. The GAO recommends that the VHA establish concrete benchmarks and deadlines for all its outreach objectives to better measure progress in raising awareness among caregivers, particularly those not yet enrolled, and to facilitate necessary adjustments to its strategies.

“At Platoon 22, we work closely with veterans and their families every day, and caregivers are often the unsung backbone of a veteran’s recovery and stability,” said Niki Falzone, Executive Director of Platoon 22 based in Frederick, Maryland. “The findings from the U.S. Government Accountability Office reflect what many of us in the community have seen firsthand, while the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made meaningful investments in caregiver support, there is still a gap in how effectiveness and impact are measured. Programs can exist on paper and even reach large numbers, but without clear, outcome-driven evaluation, it’s difficult to know whether caregivers are truly receiving the support they need to sustain their own mental health and continue providing care long-term. In Western Maryland, we see this gap even more clearly. There is a real lack of accessible, consistent support for both veterans and their caregivers. That’s one of the reasons Platoon 22 is actively expanding into Washington County with a new office and veteran housing initiatives.”

Furthermore, the GAO’s review found that the VHA has taken steps to assess program performance concerning caregiver well-being, such as setting a goal to increase telehealth appointments by 10% in fiscal year 2025. Data indicates a significant rise in these appointments, increasing by 50% from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. However, the agency has not established similar goals or collected comprehensive data for other vital mental health services offered by the program. This lack of detailed data collection and goal-setting for services beyond telehealth limits the VA’s ability to fully evaluate program performance and make informed decisions to enhance caregiver support. By implementing more robust performance management practices, including setting specific goals with measurable outcomes and timeframes for all mental health services, the VA can better assess its effectiveness and ensure it is adequately supporting the well-being of those who care for veterans.

“We also see firsthand that caregivers are not always aware of or well-versed in the resources available to them,” said Falzone. “Navigating systems like the VA can be overwhelming, especially while providing full-time care. That’s where Platoon 22’s case management plays a critical role, which helps caregivers and veterans understand their options, connect to services, and stay engaged with the support systems designed to help them.”

The GAO has made two specific recommendations to the VA to address these areas, both of which the department has concurred with and plans to implement.

“Community-based organizations like Platoon 22 are often filling critical gaps by providing personalized, relationship-driven support that complements federal programs,” concluded Falzone. “We would welcome continued collaboration with the VA to ensure caregivers are not only reached, but truly supported in a way that reflects the realities on the ground. At the end of the day, when caregivers are better supported, veterans are better supported, and that should remain the focus of any evaluation or reform effort.”

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

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