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Donna Harrison Community Release Unit Supervisor Virginia Department of Corrections

Reducing Homelessness & Recidivism Summit: Connecting the Homelessness & Criminal Justice Systems. Donna Harrison Community Release Unit Supervisor Virginia Department of Corrections Virginia Department of Corrections Academy for Staff Development May 10, 2016. Community Release Unit.

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Donna Harrison Community Release Unit Supervisor Virginia Department of Corrections

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  1. Reducing Homelessness & Recidivism Summit: Connecting the Homelessness & Criminal Justice Systems Donna Harrison Community Release Unit Supervisor Virginia Department of Corrections Virginia Department of Corrections Academy for Staff Development May 10, 2016

  2. Community Release Unit *Types of Releases *About 14,000 offenders released each year *Growing number of GTRD/no parole law cases being released *Increase in number of homeless offenders being released *Increased need for specialized caseloads

  3. Who are the homeless ex-offenders? • Females/males • Young adults/elderly • Healthy/physically disabled • Substance Abusers • Mentally ill • Intellectually Disabled • Non-violent/violent • Sex offenders

  4. Why are ex-offenders homeless? • Limited financial resources to help pay for cost of housing • Offenders do not qualify for many housing assistance programs or low income housing • Limited housing resources for individuals with a criminal history

  5. Additional housing barriers for medically and/or mentally disabled offenders • Decrease in assisted living facilities • Shrinking number of Medicaid/AG beds in assisted living facilities • Nursing homes moving towards rehab care from hospital to home; lack of long term beds or long waiting lists • Criminal history

  6. What is DOC doing? • DOC Reentry Planning • Institutional Counselor-primary coordinator for reentry planning in correctional facilities; other transitional staff assist with planning (Reentry Specialist, Reentry PO, OWDS) • Release planning begins at reception • Pre-release benefits application process • Identity and employment documents process • Medical and mental health discharge planning • Housing placement assistance

  7. Discharge Planning policies, MOUs, MOAs • DOC Reentry Planning policy • DSS Medicaid pre-release application policy • DOC, SSA, DRS MOA for SSI pre-release application processing • DOC, DSS, DARS MOU

  8. DOC Discharge Planning and Community Collaborations *DSS-Medicaid application processing, UAI screenings, APS/AS, homeless services *SSA-SSI application processing, Social Security cards *Veterans benefits *CSB and private mental health providers-intake appointments, intensive case management services, crisis services * DME providers, dialysis centers

  9. DOC Discharge Planning and Community Collaborations *Community Residential Programs (CRPs) and private housing providers partnerships with Probation & Parole Districts *Governor’s Special Needs Workgroup *DMV ID program *Workforce development centers, resource fairs

  10. Community Reentry Specialists • Secure housing placements for homeless individuals being released from correctional facilities • Ensure identification documents have been requested • Ensure durable medical equipment is available at release and special transportation is arranged • Monitor and provide technical assistance for pre-release benefit application process (SSI & Medicaid) • Make arrangements for screenings (UAI) to be conducted to determine the level of care needed for ALF or NH placement • Work with medical and mental health staff, and counselors at the DOC facility to ensure medical/mental health information is relayed, follow-up appointments are made, and release medications provided • Secure placement of disabled offenders into ALF or nursing homes

  11. With supportive housing in place….. • Communities are safer • Decrease in recidivism • Better coordination of medical and/or mental health care • Decrease in use of emergency services-hospital/ER visits

  12. Successes/Positives • Serve as mentors or leaders in re-entry and transitional housing programs, and substance abuse treatment programs • Network with employers • Utilize job skills • Apply education Give back to the community by being successful, active citizens and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

  13. Contact • Donna Harrison Community Release Unit Supervisor DOC Headquarters-Community Release Unit 6900 Atmore Drive Richmond, Va. 23225 (804) 887-8163 donna.harrison@vadoc.virginia.gov

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