Law Enforcement Prison Court Outreach

Transcription

1 Law Enforcement Prison Court Outreach 1

2 2 Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative Background of program VJO services in Pennsylvania VA Services available to Veterans

3 3 VA Medical Centers must now provide outreach to justiceinvolved Veterans in the communities they serve. A justice-involved Veteran is: A Veteran in contact with local law enforcement who can be appropriately diverted A Veteran involved in adjudication or monitoring by a court A Veteran who commits a non-violent crime and who may be better served receiving VA treatment

4 Outreach/ Education Treatment Prevention Housing and Supportive Services Income/ Employment/ Benefits Community Partnerships

5 Sequential Intercept Model 5 Intercept 1 Law enforcement/ Emergency Services Community Local Law Enforcement Intercept 2 Initial detention/ Initial court hearings Arrest Initial Detention First Appearance Court LAW ENFORCEMENT- COURTS-JAILS: VA Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Intercept 3 Jails/Courts Specialty Court Jail - Pretrial Dispositional Court Intercept 4 Reentry Jail - Sentenced Prison PRISONS: Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV) Intercept 5 Community corrections/ Community support Probation Community Parole

6 VA has been addressing the needs of the homeless Veteran population since the advent of Public Law in 1987 As an outgrowth, VA launched re-entry initiatives and engaged in the Justice System and Veterans Courts to address the needs of incarcerated Veterans via a homeless prevention measure Like Veterans who are homeless and/or substance abusers, some incarcerated Veterans link their criminality and incarceration to their military service

7 7 Provide treatment to Veterans involved in the justice system Conduct outreach to Veterans while incarcerated Engage Veterans in treatment and rehabilitation to: Treat underlying condition that led to the commission of the crime Prevent homelessness Readjust to community life Desist from commission of new crimes or parole or probation violations

8 8 Outreach to Veterans in treatment courts, jails, probation, pre-trial, etc. Pre-release assessment for Veterans awaiting adjudication Referral, diversion, linkage and advocacy to: Medical, mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment and other benefits

9 9 If a Veteran s treatment court is established, the VJO will participate in court proceedings and assist with enrollment in VA Conduct trainings for probation, treatment courts, police departments, etc. Complete biopsychosocial assessment on referred Veterans (Referrals can be from community/court providers, other VA employees, self referred) Discuss mental health needs, substance abuse history, housing, income, benefit eligibility, and legal history

10 10 Provide appropriate level of case management Assist Veteran apply for VA services and treatment Assist Veteran apply for Service Connected and Non Service Connected Pension, GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation as applicable Assist Veteran with providing documentation of treatment to court, probation officer, public defender or Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) Verification of treatment can be written or oral Provided once an appropriate release of information is signed by Veteran

11 Every VA has a full time or part time VJO Veterans Courts Allegheny, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Montgomery, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Washington Planned Veterans Court Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Dauphin, Fayette, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, and York Magisterial District Justice Diversion Online Mentor Training 11

12 12 PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Symptoms: Irritability, Nightmares, Flashbacks, Anger Outbursts, Paranoia/On Edge, Isolation, Self Medicating Criminal Behavior: Domestic Violence, Alcohol Related Offenses (Driving Under the Influence, Public Drunkenness), Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, Suicide by Cop TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Symptoms: Confusion, Disorganized Thinking, Memory Issues, Irritability, Over-Reaction to Normal Situation Criminal Behavior: Domestic Violence, Suicide, Disorderly Conduct, Property Offenses Substance abuse issues, may include pain killers from combat injuries, recreational drugs and/or alcohol, self medication for PTSD/TBI

13 13 Returning back to 9-5 lifestyle. Some Veterans miss the adrenaline rush of combat. Drive fast, Look for fights, Road rage Family life has changed. Kids have grown and relationships with significant others may have changed drastically. Lost role within the family. Domestic Violence, Murder/Suicide Unable to feel safe unless armed. Weapons charges, Assaults with a weapon

14 14 Mental Health: Outpatient psychology, psychiatry, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) groups, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) groups Inpatient acute psychiatric units Inpatient PSTD treatment, outpatient PTSD Clinical Teams, dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse treatment, Military Sexual Trauma treatment Suicide Prevention Team

15 15 Substance abuse services: Outpatient therapy, substance abuse aftercare groups, community Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meetings Inpatient 21-day rehabilitation programs 60-day community re-entry units 6-month transitional residences Substance abuse domiciliary units Detox services

16 16 Homeless Services Outreach to homeless Veterans in the community to seek permanent housing for them Short Term Emergency Shelter Contract Beds: an alternative to shelter placement Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Programs Supportive Housing Housing and Urban Development/Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers

17 Health Care Services Primary Care Services Dental Services for homeless Veterans enrolled in GPD and Community Re-Entry Unit Specialty Care: Women s Health, Traumatic Brain Injury, OEF/OIF/OND Clinics Employment Services Vocational Rehabilitation Incentive Therapy/Compensated Work Therapy Supported Employment 17

18 Forensic evaluations Testimony in court by VJOs or other VA providers as expert witnesses without Regional Council approval with subpoena Dictation of the sentence Legal custody of the Veteran Treatment that is not medically/clinically necessary 18

19 19 Each VA medical center has a VJO Specialist who is a licensed, independent practitioner. These individuals liaison with: Police (VA Police, community crisis intervention teams) Courts (Veterans/drug/mental health courts) Jails Altoona Bonnie Clark x7982 Bonnie.Clark@va.gov Butler Bradley Schaffer Brad.Schaffer@va.gov Clarksburg Richard Jones richard.jones5@va.gov Coatesville Kristina Wheeland x6814 Kristina.Wheeland@va.gov Erie Terrence W. Yeager Terrence.Yeager@va.gov Lebanon Julie Bergstresser x5162 Julie.Bergstresser@va.gov Philadelphia Rebecca Hicks Cynthia Okore X X3518 Rebecca.Hicks@va.gov Cynthia.Okore@va.gov Pittsburgh Keather Likins Thomas Stokes Keather.Likins@va.gov Thomas.Stokes@va.gov Wilkes-Barre Kim Sapolis Lacey kimberly.sapolis_lacey@va.gov Wilmington Cecilia Gonzalez cecilia.gonzalez2@va.gov

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