Veteran’s Justice Outreach: A Team

Approach

Patricia A. BradfordRobin Anderson

Jenifer Turner-Reid

Southeast Network: VISN-7

VISN-7 VJO TeamDeputy Network DirectorNetwork Homeless CoordinatorNetwork Patient Safety OfficerVeteran Justice Outreach

SpecialistsVeterans AdvocatesTransitional Patient AdvocatesReentry SpecialistsHomeless Program Managers

MappingVJO has identified:

CourtsLaw EnforcementDetention Centers

With Points of Contact Address: Location and Email Telephone Number

Sequential Intercept ModelBasic Framework on which

program was designed.Points of Intercept

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

Initial Detention and Initial Hearings Jail, Courts, Forensic Evaluation and

Forensic Commitments Reentry from jails, prisons and

forensic hospitalization Community Corrections and Support

Law Enforcement and Emergency ServicesVISN-7 Patient Safety Officer

established a dynamic partnership with EES and NAMI to provide training to Law Enforcement and VA Staff.

Georgia CIT Advisory BoardMission: Train Law Enforcement

to effectively assist individuals with mental illness and brain disorders who are in crisis, thereby advancing public safety and reducing the stigma commonly associated with Mental Illness.

Initial Detention and Initial Hearings

Respond to referrals from Law Enforcement, Families and Veterans.

Veteran Advocates visit in the Detention Centers

Veteran Advocates provide education to Detention Center and Law Enforcement Staff

Veteran Advocates attend the Initial Hearings with the Veterans

Jail, Courts, Forensic Evaluation and Forensic Commitments

Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist contacts the Diversion, Mental Health and Drug Courts.Form letter of introductionFollow-up telephone contactsVisits to the Courts meeting with

staff

Veterans Court at Stand Down in AtlantaStaff talked with Judge Bethel

and introduced the idea of a Veteran’s Court.

Staff met with staff from the Court and discuss the concept.

Court Staff expressed interest and invited Judges, Pretrial Intervention, Solicitors Office and

Planned a VISN wide training by Steve Binder

Stand Down Court Preparations

ATLANTA STAND DOWN COURT

First Veteran’s CourtForsyth, GeorgiaResult of a positive experience of

a Veteran and his familyFirst Veteran was a success storyChief MH-RRTP and the Court

are working on a transition process for referral.

Additional Veterans Courts

Savannah, GeorgiaRichmond County (Augusta

Georgia)Columbus, GeorgiaMontgomery AlabamaPhenix City, AlabamaTuskegee, Alabama

Reentry from Jails, Prisons and Forensic Hospitalization

Two VISN level Reentry Specialist who visit all State and Federal Prisons meeting with the Veterans and assessing those within 6-months of release. Screened 700 FY2009161 State Prisons/9 Federal

PrisonsNHC is working with the DMH

Forensic Unit to schedule a training program and develop a system of both communication and referrals.

Community Corrections and Support

Probation and ParoleIndividual contactsMeetings with State Office StaffParticipate in State Training

ConferencesPresentations at Annual State

ConferenceMember of State and DeKalb

County Advisory Boards

Current Projects to Improve Services

One point of entry into the Health Care System to monitor number of enrollees

Initial Assessment Instrument to be completed to initiate more appropriate referrals.

A Review Process to address any Veteran identified as not receiving indicate services in a timely manner.

Network Homeless Coordinator function as Resource Person for the VISN

V-TEL as an option.

DiscussionWhat Progress have we made

toward delivering much needed services?

What are the Major Barriers for Implementation?

What do we need to do to improve our delivery of services/