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Veterans Justi ce Outreach Veterans Jail Diversion Initiative

Law Enforcement | Prison| Court Outreach. Veterans Justi ce Outreach Veterans Jail Diversion Initiative. Information to be covered:. Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative Background of program VJO services in Pennsylvania VA Services available to Veterans.

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Veterans Justi ce Outreach Veterans Jail Diversion Initiative

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  1. Law Enforcement | Prison| Court Outreach Veterans Justice OutreachVeterans Jail Diversion Initiative

  2. Information to be covered: • Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative • Background of program • VJO services in Pennsylvania • VA Services available to Veterans

  3. VJO: Law Enforcement, Jail, Court Outreach 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

  4. Strategy to End Homelessness Among Veterans Outreach/ Education Treatment Prevention Income/ Employment/ Benefits Housing and Supportive Services Community Partnerships

  5. Historical • 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

  6. VJO – Goals • 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. VJO – Services • 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. Duties of VJO • 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. Duties Continued • 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. VJO in Pennsylvania • 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. Attributing Factors • 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. Readjustment Issues • 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. Readjustment Issues Continued • 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. Services offered by VA • 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. Services Continued • 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. Services Continued • 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. Services Continued • 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

  18. Services the VA cannot provide: • 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. VJO Specialists 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

  20. Questions?

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