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Reentry Coordination System (RCS) An Overview

Reentry Coordination System (RCS) An Overview. Presented by: Suzanne Smith Director of CUCS’ Housing Resource Center Funded by Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH). About CUCS. Founded in 1979 at Columbia University Programs include: Housing Resource Center

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Reentry Coordination System (RCS) An Overview

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  1. Reentry Coordination System (RCS)An Overview Presented by: Suzanne Smith Director of CUCS’ Housing Resource Center Funded by Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)

  2. About CUCS • Founded in 1979 at Columbia University • Programs include: • Housing Resource Center • Training and Consulting Services • Direct Service Programs: Street outreach & drop-in center, transitional & permanent housing, Single Stop, supported employment services, Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless • CUCS Training and Consulting Services offers assistance with implementing WSM and other evidence-based practices

  3. Community Re-Integration Project: Background and Goals • Began in 2005 as Prison Entitlements Project using SSI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) • Goal: For Severely Mentally Ill inmates to receive benefits (SSI, Medicaid and Medication Grant Program) within one month of release to help prevent homelessness • Move to Community Re-Integration to include housing and aftercare services (Case Management) • 2009-Reentry Coordination System (RCS) developed

  4. NYS Prisons with Mental Health/Satellite Units Clinton Upstate Great Meadow Albion Midstate Auburn Wende Attica 5 Point Groveland Coxsackie Green Haven Shawangunk Elmira Eastern Woodbourne Downstate Satellite Units Sullivan Fishkill Mental Health Units Bedford Hills Sing Sing Arthurkill 4

  5. Discharge/Release Data • 29 NYS Correctional Facilities with Mental Health/Satellite Units • 3,500 discharges in 2009 of which 1,400 to New York City • 622/1400 severely mentally ill individuals discharged to NYC • Context: • DOCS census: 60,000 • DOCS releases: 25,000/year 5

  6. Entitlements Project Overview • In July of 2005, CUCS began working with staff at Sing Sing CF, Community Orientation Reentry Program (CORP) to design the entitlement liaison’s services • In September of 2005, CUCS began to provide entitlements assistance services • CUCS liaison is on site one day a week and works with OMH staff to prepare SSI/D and Medicaid applications

  7. CORP Outcomes (9/05-6/30/10) 188 Applications 15 % (n=29) closed prior to Disposition (hospitalized or not released) 12 % (n=26) Pending/In Process 136 Dispositions • 88% (n=120) Approved Dispositions 15% Closed prior to disposition (hospitalized or not released) • 100% (n=126) Medicaid approvals • 100% (n=1) Veterans Benefits • 99% (n=96) Supportive Housing approvals

  8. Overview: Reentry Coordination System (RCS) • Implemented in July 2009 • Manages the housing referral process for severely mentally ill (SMI) individuals in NYS Prisons being released to NYC • November 2010 expansion: Referrals to mental health case management/ACT services • January 2011 expansion to include OPD mental health treatment appointments for those without an appointment • Tracking outcomes

  9. The Role of theCenter for Urban Community Services (CUCS) • CUCS Administers the RCS Program for the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) • The RCS Liaison handles all referrals for supportive housing from the NYS Prisons for Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) individuals • RCS Liaison provides referrals for housing (forensic housing initiative units or MH housing) • Assists the housing provider and the NYSOMH Pre-Release Coordinator (PRC) through the referral process • Follows up with Housing Providers on Status • Documents and tracks information

  10. RCS Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for RCS, the individual: • Must be in a NYS Prison and being released to NYC • Must meet The New York State Office of Mental Health’s Severe Mental Illness (SMI) criteria • Homeless or at risk of homelessness upon release from prison

  11. Overview of NYC Mental Health Housing for Reentry Population • 75 Reentry Housing Initiative (RHI) units • 90 additional RHI units expected in 2011 • 200 units SMI individuals from state prisons are one of the priority populations • Other MH housing: 7,100 units (not including units dedicated to homeless mentally ill)

  12. Key Features of RCS • Guaranteed Interview (Videoconference) • Training & Technical Assistance to Pre-Release Coordinators (PRC’s) and Housing Providers • Case Planning Meetings when rejected by 3 providers • Enhanced Services Funding

  13. RCSProcess • PRC submits NYC Supportive Housing Application • CUCS arranges the VTC interviews • Housing Provider sends interview disposition to CUCS within 5 days of interview • CUCS informs PRC of dispositions • PRC informs applicant/inmate

  14. RCS Process (cont’d) • If accepted, PRC coordinates with housing provider about move in date/arrangements • If rejected, CUCS informs PRC • If rejected by all referrals: • case conference • additional referrals • enhanced services funding

  15. Demographics of RCS Applicants (7/1/09-6/30/10) • 158 Applications Received: • Axis I : 54% Psychotic Disorders 39% Affective Disorders 7% Other 74% Substance Abuse Disorder (secondary dx)* Axis II: 29% Anti-Social PD 6% Dual Dx with Cognitive/Developmental Disability *98% History of Substance Abuse Disorder

  16. Demographics (7/1/09-6/30/10) Age of 1st Hospitalization: 23% before 15 yrs 24% 15-20 yrs Less than HS Diploma: 62% Age at Release: 6% 18-25 17% 26-34 52% 35-49 25% over 50

  17. Preliminary Outcomes (7/1/09-6/30/10) 156 Applications Received (427 Referrals). Current status as of 10/31/2010 : • 89 (57%) Housed, of which 77 in Supportive Housing • 12 (8%) State PC admissions • 7 (4%) Released to Shelter • 12 (77%) In Process/Waitlisted • 36 (23%) Refused Housing Referrals/Whereabouts Unknown including (1) Incarceration

  18. Lessons Learned: Keys to Success • Strength-based documentation • Case Management upon release to assist with coordination of benefits, interviews where applicable and developing supports • Provide referral assistance until housed or case is closed • Training and technical assistance, especially on cases with multiple barriers • Involve Correctional Facility MD’s and administrators on documentation requirements

  19. Questions? Presented by: Suzanne Smith, Director Center for Urban Community Services Housing Resource Center 198 East 121st Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10035 (212) 801-3371 ssmith@cucs.org www.cucs.org

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