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Law Enforcement | Prison| Court Outreach
Veterans Justice OutreachVeterans Jail Diversion Initiative
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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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VJO: Law Enforcement, Jail, Court Outreach
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
VA Medical Centers must now provide outreach to justice-involved Veterans in the communities they serve.
Strategy to End Homelessness Among Veterans
Outreach/Education
Prevention
Treatment
Housing and Supportive Services
Income/Employment/Benefits
Community Partnerships
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Local Law Enforcement
Arrest
Initial Detention
First Appearance Court
Specialty Court
Jail - Pretrial
Dispositional Court
Jail - Sentenced Prison
Probation Parole
Community
Community
LAW ENFORCEMENT-COURTS-JAILS:
VA Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO)
PRISONS:Health Care for Reentry
Veterans (HCRV)
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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) JailsAltoona Bonnie Clark 814-943-8164
Butler Bradley Schaffer 724-285-2240 [email protected]
Clarksburg Richard Jones 304-623-3461 [email protected]
Coatesville Dianna Zinnie 610-384-7711
Erie Terrence W. Yeager 814-860-2122 [email protected]
Lebanon Julie Bergstresser 717-272-6621 x5162
Philadelphia
Rebecca HicksCynthia Okore
215-823-5800X6594215-823-5800 X3518
[email protected]@va.gov
Pittsburgh Keather LikinsThomas Stokes
412.822.1409412-822-1324
[email protected]@va.gov
Wilkes-Barre
Kim Sapolis Lacey 570-824-3521 [email protected]
Wilmington Cecilia Gonzalez 302-994-2511 [email protected]
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Questions?
