Bill Overview
Title: Veterans Online Information and Cybersecurity Empowerment Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to promote digital citizenship and media literacy among veterans by awarding grants to eligible entities, which include civil society organizations and congressionally chartered veterans service organizations.
Sponsors: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans worldwide who could benefit from increased digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness
Estimated Size: 18000000
- The bill seeks to enhance digital citizenship and media literacy among veterans.
- It targets veterans, a group that is directly affected by the operations and decisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The program under the bill would specifically aim at veterans within the United States, as the Department of Veterans Affairs is a U.S. government agency.
- Eligible entities for grants would include organizations that are likely to interact with and manage programs involving veterans.
Reasoning
- The program is aimed at improving digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness among veterans, a vital group. The population is large, with approximately 18 million veterans in the U.S.
- The budget constraint implies that not all veterans will benefit immediately. The focus may initially be on high-need areas or organizations that can reach a large audience efficiently.
- We assume a diverse sample within the target group, representing different ages, backgrounds, and tech-savviness levels, to understand varied impacts.
- It is expected that veterans in urban areas, having better access to digital infrastructure, might experience greater benefits initially compared to those in rural settings.
Simulated Interviews
IT Specialist (San Diego, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is crucial for veterans, especially older ones who are not familiar with cyber-safety.
- The grant could help our organization run workshops and engage more veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I already have substantial digital skills, I see this as an excellent support for older veterans.
- Empowering veterans with digital skills can help them transition to civilian jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Charleston, SC)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not very good with computers, so this policy could really benefit me.
- Learning to navigate digital services is becoming essential, especially for accessing healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Billings, MT)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs supporting digital literacy are overdue, especially for older veterans like me.
- Access to such trainings is limited in rural areas, so I hope this policy also considers connectivity issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Healthcare Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maintaining cybersecurity is important for veterans, and this policy could prevent many scams.
- Mental health could also improve as veterans feel more secure online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great initiative, essential for empowering veterans with vital modern skills.
- I like volunteering in this area and believe this policy could amplify such efforts across the country.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find online activities intimidating, so if this helps, I'd be willing to try.
- It's important for veterans to adapt to new technologies as they become more prevalent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I already have the skills but see the value of this policy for others.
- The policy could be instrumental for older veterans and those transitioning into civilian roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Counselor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Digital literacy can provide a sense of empowerment and independence to veterans.
- This policy complements mental health recovery efforts by reducing stress from digital uncertainties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Mechanic (Houston, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about technology, but if it helps manage benefits better, I'm in.
- Learning these skills is necessary in today's world, and I'm grateful for the chance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 3: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 5: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 100: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- The scale and speed at which the Department of Veterans Affairs can establish the program and start awarding grants.
- The receptiveness of veterans to engage with digital literacy and cybersecurity initiatives.
- Coordination with other federal or state initiatives aimed at digital literacy to maximize impact.
- Ensuring equitable access to these programs across different regions and demographics within the veteran population.