Transcript PowerPoint Slides - SOAR Works!

Identifying SOAR Applicants
Please stay on the line.
Audio: 1-888-469-3145
Passcode: 2045270
The webinar will begin shortly.
Identifying SOAR
Applicants
Presented by:
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Under contract to:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Webinar Instructions

Question instructions

Muting

Recording availability

Downloading documents

Evaluation
SOAR Training



2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery
training
www.prainc.com/soar
Find your State
Agenda

Tools for Identifying Applicants
– Kristin Lupfer, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center

Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore
– Margaret Flanagan, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD

Accepting SOAR Referrals With Limited
Resources
– Jessica Calys, Wyandot Mental Health Center, Kansas City, KS

Questions and Answers
Tools for Identifying SOAR
Applicants
Kristin Lupfer
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
The Challenge




Limited resources
Limited time
A lot of people need our help
Applications involving mental
illness and co-occurring disorders
are complicated
Using the Tool



Identify individuals who most need
your assistance
Do not discourage anyone from
applying for SSA benefits
Plan for alternative service or
referral
SOAR Fundamentals

Key eligibility criteria for SSA disability
benefits
– Severe impairment that affects ability to
earn SGA
– Duration requirements
– Symptoms
– Functional impairment
SOAR Recommends

Not essential, but may strengthen an
application
– Prescribed medications, ongoing
symptoms
– Obtainable medical evidence or one time
exam is sufficient
– Difficult work history
Making it Work For You



Add your program criteria
Use in conjunction with other
assessment tools
Consult with colleagues or the
SOAR TA Center
Identifying a SOAR Applicant
in Baltimore
Margaret Flanagan, MSW
Health Care for the Homeless
Baltimore, Maryland
Identifying a SOAR Applicant –
Baltimore, MD

Citywide trained providers
– Utilization of applicant checklist
– Discussion of individual
– Trigger questions and/or follow-up
information

Outreach initiative
– Referral
– Outreach
– More in depth assessment/review of
medical records
Identifying a SOAR Applicant





Homeless or at risk of homelessness
Diagnosed with a psychiatric condition
Experiencing ongoing symptoms
Experiencing functional impairments
stemming from symptoms
Not working and unable to work SGA
due to impairments
Trigger Questions


Utilize tool to frame appropriateness
Each stage has additional ‘trigger
questions’ that are important in decision
– Age + diagnosis
– Diagnosis (type and duration)
– Treatment history
– Substance use
– Work history
Determination if appropriate

Age
– Longevity of symptoms
– Diagnosis
– Treatment history

New diagnosis/type of diagnosis
– Medical evidence available

Medical evidence
– The listings or ‘blue book’
– Medical Summary Report can
appropriately convey impairments
Determination if appropriate (cont.)

Substance Use
– Periods of sobriety
– What use means to individual
– Materiality

Work history
– Failed attempts, scattered, long
periods

Prior application attempts/denials
Common reasons not appropriate





Goal of employment
Lack of severity of conditions
New diagnosis and duration
Somatic conditions
Hearings Level
Handling of non-SOAR
applicants

Employment
– Moving forward with employment and disability

Severity of conditions/duration
– Reasoning behind severity – tips on how to
assist through ‘normal’ process

Somatic conditions
– Utilize Medical Summary Report or functional
assessment for medical conditions – how
impacts day-to-day functioning

Tips for working at hearings level
Accepting SOAR Referrals
with Limited Resources
Jessica Calys, LMSW
Wyandot Mental Health Center
Kansas City, Kansas
WMHC SOAR Referral Process

Informal

Apply what we have learned as SOAR
Case Managers

Use information from DDS

Serve as appointed representative or refer
to another service
Referral Sources


Active consumers at the mental
health center
SOAR is a limited resource
– 2 case managers
Referral Form
Referral Process



Sent to SOAR coordinator
Coordinator or case manager calls
DDS
DDS provides information on past
claims
Chart Review



Intake: presenting problem, reported symptoms,
previous psychiatric history/treatment, client’s
report of medical risks, current medications,
strengths and additional resources,
suicide/homicide history or risk, safety concerns,
bio-psychosocial history, legal involvement, history
of abuse/trauma, substance abuse/use, mental
status exam, and diagnostic summary.
Medication history with Wyandot Center
Progress notes
Looking For:



Functional information
Past or current work history
Treatment history
Alternatives to SOAR Assistance



Assist in completing online
application, explain process
Provide a list of attorneys who are
good collaborators
Refer to the agency’s supported
employment program
Questions and Answers
Facilitators:
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
For More Information on SOAR
Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar
Or contact:
SAMHSA SOAR TA Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Delmar, NY
518-439-7415
[email protected]