Transcript Slide 1
Law Enforcement | Prison| Court Outreach 1
Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative Background of program VJO services in Pennsylvania VA Services available to Veterans 2
VA Medical Centers must now provide outreach to justice involved 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 3
Outreach/ Education Treatment Prevention Housing and Supportive Services Income/ Employment/ Benefits Community Partnerships
5 Sequential Intercept Model Specialty Court Community Local Law Enforcement Arrest Initial Detention First Appearance Court Jail - Pretrial Dispositional Court
LAW ENFORCEMENT COURTS-JAILS: VA Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) PRISONS: Health Care for Reentry Veterans (HCRV)
Jail - Sentenced Prison Probation Community Parole
VA has been addressing the needs of the homeless Veteran population since the advent of Public Law 100-6 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
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 7
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 8
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 9
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 10
Every VA has a full time or part time VJO Veterans Courts – Allegheny, Berks, Chester, Dauphine, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Montgomery, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Washington, and York Planned Veterans Court – Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Lebanon Magisterial District Justice Diversion Online Mentor Training 11
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 12
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 13
Feelings of guilt, anger, loss of identity I should be with my unit Guilt of actions taken/not taken Change from position of authority to “civilian” and often unemployed Combat Injury- often discharged with large amount of pain medication Can lead to drug abuse with associated charges 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
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
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 Specialty Care: Women’s Health, Traumatic Brain Injury, OEF/OIF/OND Clinics Employment Services Dental Services for homeless Veterans enrolled in GPD and Community Re-Entry Unit Vocational Rehabilitation Incentive Therapy/Compensated Work Therapy Supported Employment 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 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 814-943-8164 x7982 [email protected]
Butler Clarksburg Coatesville Erie Lebanon Philadelphia Pittsburgh Wilkes-Barre Wilmington
Bradley Schaffer Richard Jones Dianna Zinnie Terrence W. Yeager Julie Bergstresser Rebecca Hicks Cynthia Okore Keather Likins Thomas Stokes Kim Sapolis Lacey Cecilia Gonzalez 724-285-2240 304-623-3461 610-384-7711 814-860-2122 717-272-6621 x5162 215-823-5800X6594 215-823-5800 X3518 412.822.1409
412-822-1324 570-824-3521 302-994-2511 [email protected]
20
21