2018 National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts

Transcription

1 2018 National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts When the Beneficiary and Law Enforcement Cross Paths Lieutenant Steve Wagner & Sergeant Joleen Bowman October 17, 2018 Pinellas County Sheriff s Office Mental Health Unit

2 MENTAL HEALTH UNIT Oct 1 st, 2016 implementation of new unit within Patrol Support Section Unit is comprised of 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 3 Deputies and 2 Mental Health Navigators Primary goal is to assist subjects with mental illness and substance use disorders by connecting them with services to reduce recidivism

3 Reasons for Mental Health Calls for Service Suicidal ideation Intentional overdoses Experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions Depression Threat to self or others Alzheimer's and Autism missing person

4 Causes of Instability Over medicate Under medicate Refusal of treatment plan Anosognosia Use of illegal substances to self medicate Medical issue

5 Law Enforcement Training CIT Training Crisis Intervention Team Training 2 years or more experience on the job Has the desire to learn these skills 40 hour course Mental Health First Aid New hires 8 hour course

6 Law Enforcement Interaction Officer safety is priority De escalate if necessary Maintain a calm presence Listen Show empathy Build rapport Build trust Speak in a calm tone Lower voice volume

7 Crisis Intervention Team Training CALM Calm and diffuse; active listening ASSESS Determine what factors have caused the situation and what the best action would be for the most positive outcome FACILITATE Initiate action plan for an appropriate resolution

8 Mental Health First Aid Action Plan: ALGEE Assess for risk of suicide or harm Listen nonjudgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage appropriate professional help Encourage self help and other support strategies

9 How to Help Approach in a caring and nonjudgmental way Let the person know you are there to help and concerned for them Be sensitive and show empathy Do not touch the person without their permission Show respect and treat them with dignity Speak in a clear, concise, nonthreatening tone Do not make any promises that you cannot keep

10 How to Help Give the person hope for recovery Offer emotional support and understanding Provide and / or encourage help: Professional Doctors, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals Support Family, support groups, friends, faith Encourage the person s support network to educate themselves on the mental illness

11 Quicker Connection to Services Directions for Living PIC Team Pinellas Integrated Care Alliance Team PEMHS Suncoast Baycare

12 Baker Act Reason to believe person has a mental illness and because of mental illness, person has refused or is unable to determine whether examination is necessary, and either: Without care or treatment, is likely to suffer from neglect or refuse to care for self, and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to one s well being and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing family members, friends, or the provision of other services; or There is substantial likelihood that without treatment will cause in the near future serious bodily harm to self or others, as evidenced by recent behavior. Must meet all criteria

13 Petition form Ex Parte for Involuntary Examination Based on sworn testimony Filed with Clerk of the Court (Probate) No fee charged Must be in Pinellas County and their whereabouts known; cannot be in jail Pinellas County Sheriff s Office transports to the receiving facility

14 SUCCESS Law Enforcement has a better understanding of mental illness and is provided with communication skills to promote best outcomes Mental Health Community is learning the gaps, inequities, silos, and redundancies in the system and developing ways to fix these. Working to improve the system of care through service provision, program development, and funding. Trust is being built between consumers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.

15 Thank you