Bill Overview
Title: Doug Zembiec Gold Star Family Support Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness within the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement a pilot program on providing training to, validating, and deploying grief companions to facilitate DOD bereavement care following casualty notifications for members of the Armed Forces.
Sponsors: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Target Audience
Population: Families who have lost a member in the U.S. Armed Forces (Gold Star families)
Estimated Size: 30000
- The bill targets bereavement care, which is required by families who lose a member of the Armed Forces.
- Gold Star families are families who have lost a loved one while they served in the U.S. military.
- The pilot program will likely impact families currently undergoing such traumatic loss and potentially those who have experienced such loss in recent years.
- The U.S. Department of Defense is a national entity, implying this is primarily targeted at U.S. citizens.
Reasoning
- The target population is Gold Star families, estimated around 30,000, based on past U.S. military engagement and the number of families experiencing such loss.
- The policy is aimed primarily at improving the psychological and emotional wellbeing of these families through grief companionship.
- With a budget of $273.5 million spread over 10 years, the program can significantly expand the current scope of support, aiming to mitigate trauma and grief impacts on wellbeing.
- Union-induced conflicts and overseas missions continue to cause casualties, sustaining the need for bereavement support.
- The policy may not directly impact families who were bereaved several years ago, but could indirectly benefit them through increased overall awareness and understanding of such needs.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is a good step. We need more support, especially immediately after losing someone.
- Grief companions can validate our feelings and help navigate the emotions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Engineer (California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been struggling for years. Support like this could make a difference.
- It’s vital that grief companions are well-trained and sensitive to our needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Healthcare Worker (New York)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having someone to talk to who understands military life would be comforting.
- I worry about the consistency of the support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
IT Specialist (Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grief companions sound good, but I’m skeptical about their availability.
- If they are helpful, it could change my outlook.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired (Pennsylvania)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s a little too late for me, but I see the importance for younger families.
- Continual support might have prevented some of my long-term grief issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Police Officer (Virginia)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grief companions would have been helpful after the sudden loss.
- I am supportive if it helps others handle the shock and adjustments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The companions should be easily accessible when needed.
- I hope the program addresses long-term feelings too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Corporate Manager (Ohio)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m supportive, hope they recognize cultural sensitivities in grief.
- This policy should have a feedback mechanism for improvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Artist (Nebraska)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Community spaces also need grief support, something this program might improve.
- Feeling heard is valuable even if it's been a long time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Grad Student (Georgia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard balancing grief with daily life, more help is needed.
- Hope they focus on young adults who often get left out.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $26000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $31000000)
Year 5: $27000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $32000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Key Considerations
- Targeted specifically at Gold Star families, a clearly defined and limited demographic.
- Spending is largely for personnel training and employment, having limited wider economic or social impacts outside targeted groups.
- Potential for extended benefits in mental health and well-being for affected families beyond the program.