Transcript Document

Forensic Employment
Programs for Offenders
with Mental Health
Disabilities
Declan Wynne and Latasha Billups
Sound Mental Health
December 14, 2011
Largest Integrated Behavioral
Health Agency in WA
• Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
• Chemical Dependent – Enhanced Certification
• DVR and Supportive Employment Contractor
• Housing
• Specialty Population Provider
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Specialized Programs for Those
Involved in the Criminal Justice System
12 Forensic Programs
• FACT
• FISH
• ORCSP
• FIRST
• Court
• CCAP
• Sound Reentry
• IDDT
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
4
Forensic Team
• Multi-specialized staff
• Trans-disciplinary team approach
• Strong emphasis on multisystem wraparound
care
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
5
Multi-Specialized Team
75 Forensic Specialists make up a multispecialized disciplinary team
• Doctor of Psychology
• Masters Level Professionals
• Chemical Dependency Professional
• Domestic Violence Perpetrator Intervention Specialists
• Sex Offender Treatment Provider
• Peer supports
• Housing supports
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
6
Trans-Disciplinary Approach
• The team as a whole is responsible for the
consumer
• The team is cross-trained
• Many team members are multi-credentialed
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
7
Multi-System Wraparound Care
Team members include:
• Department of Corrections and Probation
• Family member(s) where possible
• Members of the Police
• Housing personnel
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
8
Forensic Consumers
• 3,500 criminally involved consumers -700 focus of
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employment activities
 Chronically mentally ill
 86% are substance abusers
 Approximately 75% are homeless upon referral
 Over 90% are unemployed
Plus
 Little formal education
 Interrupted work history
 On entitlement programs for many years
 Low and latent skills
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
9
Complicated by Criminal
Histories
• General statistics for new referrals to MH agencies:
 45% had one contact with criminal justice systems
 36% had at least one criminal conviction
 19% has a felony
• Sound Mental Health’s Forensic programs:
 100% of jail referrals have between 2-18 convictions
 100% of prison referrals have 5+ felonies
• Crimes include murder, rape and child molestations,
assaultive behaviors and drug related offenses
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Sex Offenders
• Hardest challenge
• Registration
• Restriction on locations
• Probation Officers review employment
• Stigma
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
The Role of Employment in
Reentry Program
“Employment is a key factor for improving
psychosocial outcomes for offenders with
mental illness, as it improves socioeconomic
status, provides social interaction, helps
provide meaningful or purpose for the
individual, and may be viewed as a therapeutic
agent.”
Employment Outcomes and Psychosocial Outcomes for
Offenders with Mental Illness. Sneed, Kock, Estes, Quinn 2006
International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitations. 10 (2), 103-112
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Reentry Portals to Vocational
Services
• A Vocational Specialist is sited on each of our 4
community support campuses
• Each program (there are many at each site) has
an identified team member who functions as an
employment liaison, total 25
• 3 vocational specialists work exclusively with the
developmentally challenged
• 9 vocational specialists in the Standard
Supportive Employment high fidelity model
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
13
Growth Brought Additional
Challenge
• 700 consumers involved in the Criminal Justice
System targeted for outcomes
• Our employment staff reported that assisting our
criminally involved, mentally ill, substance
abusing consumers was the biggest challenge
and they did not have the time or skills to focus
on this problem
• Our forensic staff has many priorities and
employment was down the list
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
14
The Pygmalion Effect
The Pygmalion Effect
• The greater the expectation placed upon individuals the
better they perform
The opposite is also true
• The lower the expectation placed on individuals the less
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they perform.
In fact, the lower the expectations the more entrenched
or internalized negative label they become
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
15
The Pygmalion Opposite Effect
Behavioral health agencies have
contributed to this dilemma by having:
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Lower work expectations for the population
Enforcing reliance on financial entitlements
Presuming consumers are low-skilled and uneducated
Assuming that mental illness is a barrier to working
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
Interventions to Increase Employment
Outcomes for Criminal Justice Involved
Consumers
We developed a multi-layered strategic
approach that would include:
• Forensic Team cooperation
• Criminal Justice System partnerships
• Consumer involvement
• Finding employers
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Our Task: To Motivate & Seek
Change
• Find employment/employers for mentally ill, chemically
dependent individuals with criminal backgrounds in an
economy where jobs are scarce
• Challenge staff beliefs around consumers and
employment
• Increase the consumers belief in the possibility of
employment
• Include our partners who have to uphold the law and
supervision requirements
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
18
Expanded the Role & Staff of the
Wraparound Team
We expanded the wraparound team to included
a new position of a Forensic Vocational
Coordinator to:
• To provide assistance to the consumer
• To raise and challenge the “vocational awareness” of the
wraparound team
• Challenge the Pygmalion opposite effect
• Expand the portfolio of employers
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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The Credibility Factor
Factors for consideration when including the
Forensic Vocational Coordinator in the
wraparound team
• Job description
• Where to site
• Who supervises
• Credentials
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Integration of Employment in the
Treatment of the Consumer
Develop in the Electronic Record an integrated
comprehensive single Service Plan that is
• Accessible to all team members, such as prescriber,
mental health, housing and chemical dependency staff
• Includes the vocation and education interventions , short
term objectives and goals on the plan
• Plan is developed with the client, case worker and the
vocational coordinator
• The plan is overseen by the behavioral health clinician
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
21
Wraparound Meeting &
Interventions
The vocational coordinator attends the clinical
meetings
• Ensures the vocational goal and the client’s progress are
discussed each week
• All attendees brainstorm on readiness, skills,
appropriateness and job possibilities
• An SMH benefit planner becomes involved and educates
the case manager and the consumer on what can be
earned without disrupting benefits
• Consumer is apprized of the conversations
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
22
The Wraparound Team Including
System Partners
The wraparound team including system
partners assists with identifying employment
resources where the consumer resides and
participates in next steps
• DOC and clinical staff know possible employers in the
consumer’s community
• Clinical staff can assist by going to the businesses,
introduce, pick up resumes
• Probation officers know who employs offenders
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
23
The Role of Peers
Employed consumers, Forensic Vocational
Peers are now participating by:
• Gathering the initial work history
• Applying for financial aid at schools
• Tracking and ensuring assignments are completed
• Providing support to the vocational coordinator and for
the consumers
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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What is Happening with the
Consumer
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Ongoing work development
Which positions have potential
Define essential from non-essential
Seek employee feedback
Thinking creatively
Seeking out proper guidance
Thoughtful discourse
Open communication
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
25
Job Development
• The consumers reasonably identify their skills and
readiness through individual and group contact
• The individualized services plan shapes the next steps
on which businesses to approach
• The wraparound team identifies local business resources
• The vocational coordinator researches the business
• The vocational coordinators outreach to the community
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
26
Interview Strategies
• Educate the consumers on what Federal and State
incentives are available to businesses that hire offenders
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Criminal background
Federal resources
State resources
Prior to interview, the Vocational Coordinator and
consumer pre-fill these applications to present to the
employer during the interview
• Rehearse with the consumers how to bring these areas
into the interview
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
27
Research and Outreach Steps
• Research the business mission statement
• What the statement says about involvement in the local
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community
Armed with this information, make the first contact
Utilize person-to-person contact rather than cold calls
Request limited time, say 5-10 minutes
Stay focused on the business needs
Verbally present and advocate for the consumers
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
28
Business Reaction
• The business card identifies the agency
• Vocational Coordinator builds upon the potential
employers reaction, knowledge and fears during the
meeting
• Emphasis is placed on the concept of rehabilitation and
how it ties to the business mission statement
• Often this is one of the first of many visits, each visit is
designed to “sweeten the pot”
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
29
How to “Sweeten the Pot”
Bartering System
• We offer:
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In-service Drug and Alcohol information
Stress relief workshops
Tutoring
Community resources and referral information
• Supports:
 Case management supports for the consumer
 Consultation for the business owner
 Participate in business meetings
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
30
Criminal Background
• How do we address criminality with employers?
• What kinds of crimes cause the least resistance with
employers?
• What about sex offenders?
• What kind of assurances are employers looking for?
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
31
Partnering with Community
Resources
• Working closely with community colleges
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 Do they have programs for those involved in the
criminal justice system?
Knowing their resources
 Grants, GED, Trade Certifications?
Knowing their programs
 Types of Degrees?
Accessing their system
 Do they have a data system of potential employers?
 How to gain access?
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
32
Challenges Encountered
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Client Demographics
Client restrictions due to criminal history
Hiring atmosphere
Consumer expectations
Salary
Big Dreams
Uncertainty
Entitlement and expecting Vocational Specialists to work
for them
People skills
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
33
Wraparound Challenges
• Vocational Specialist concept of disclosure
• Privacy versus Supervision requirements
• Department of Corrections and name of contact
• Personality versus criminality mentality
• Lack of respect for social norms
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
34
Employment Challenges
• Job not what they expected
• Performance issues
• Job retention
 Quitting
 Re-hiring
 Success rates
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
35
Targets
• Expanding the pool of vocational assistance
• Research funding opportunity
• Establishing outcomes for consumers being
employed
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
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Employers
• Retail
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 Major Department Stores
 Grocery Stores
 Hotels
 Car Rentals
Trades
 Painters
 Demolitions
 Electrician
Semi-Skilled
 Ware House
 Sport Events
 Catering Events
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
37
Comments & Questions
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
38
Contact Us
Sound Mental Health
Declan Wynne, LMHC
Director of Recovery & Integrated Care
[email protected]
Latasha Billups, MA, CDP, EMMHS
Forensic Vocational Coordinator
[email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
39
THANK YOU!
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
40
Offender Webinar Series
Archives Available
Obtaining Employment Outcomes for Individuals with
Disabilities who have Criminal Backgrounds
• Providing Employment Services to Individuals with Disabilities
who have Criminal Backgrounds
• Overview of the Legal Consideration Providers and VRCs
should know when working with Offenders
• Using Customized Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
who have Criminal Backgrounds
• Forensic Employment Programs for Offenders with Mental
Health Disabilities
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
41
Education Credits
CRCC Credit - (2.0) – DUE December 23
• Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor
Certification (CRCC)
 Participants must score 80% or better on a online Post
Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the
MyTACE Portal.
CEU Credit - (0.2)
• Approved by the University College at Syracuse
University
 Participants must submit an online CEU Request Form
via the MyTACE Portal.
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
42
Southeast TACE (Region IV)
Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]
Fax: (404) 541-9002
Web: TACEsoutheast.org
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
Email: [email protected]
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©
43
Disclaimer
This presentation was developed by the
TACE Center: Region IV© 2011 with funds from the
U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of
Technical Assistance and Continuing Education
Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However,
the contents of this presentation do not necessarily
represent the policy of the RSA and you should not
assume endorsement by the Federal Government
[34 CFR 75.620 (b)].
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. ©