Identifying SOAR Applicants Please stay on the line. Audio: 1-888-469-3145 Passcode: 2045270 The webinar will begin shortly.
Post on 27-Dec-2015
217 Views
Preview:
Transcript
Identifying SOAR Applicants
Please stay on the line.
Audio: 1-888-469-3145Passcode: 2045270
The webinar will begin shortly.
Identifying SOAR Applicants
Presented by:
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance CenterPolicy Research Associates, Inc.
Under contract to:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationU.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Webinar Instructions Question instructions Muting Recording availability Downloading documents Evaluation
SOAR Training
2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery training
www.prainc.com/soar Find your State
Agenda Tools for Identifying Applicants
– Kristin Lupfer, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore– Margaret Flanagan, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD
Accepting SOAR Referrals With Limited Resources– Jessica Calys, Wyandot Mental Health Center, Kansas City, KS
Questions and Answers
Tools for Identifying SOAR Applicants
Kristin Lupfer
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
The Challenge
Limited resources Limited time A lot of people need our help Applications involving mental
illness and co-occurring disorders are complicated
Using the Tool
Identify individuals who most need your assistance
Do not discourage anyone from applying for SSA benefits
Plan for alternative service or referral
SOAR Fundamentals Key eligibility criteria for SSA disability
benefits– Severe impairment that affects ability to
earn SGA– Duration requirements– Symptoms– Functional impairment
SOAR Recommends
Not essential, but may strengthen an application– Prescribed medications, ongoing
symptoms– Obtainable medical evidence or one time
exam is sufficient– Difficult work history
Making it Work For You
Add your program criteria Use in conjunction with other
assessment tools Consult with colleagues or the
SOAR TA Center
Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore
Margaret Flanagan, MSW
Health Care for the Homeless
Baltimore, Maryland
Identifying a SOAR Applicant – Baltimore, MD
Citywide trained providers– Utilization of applicant checklist– Discussion of individual– Trigger questions and/or follow-up
information Outreach initiative
– Referral– Outreach– More in depth assessment/review of
medical records
Identifying a SOAR Applicant Homeless or at risk of homelessness Diagnosed with a psychiatric condition Experiencing ongoing symptoms Experiencing functional impairments
stemming from symptoms Not working and unable to work SGA
due to impairments
Trigger Questions
Utilize tool to frame appropriateness Each stage has additional ‘trigger
questions’ that are important in decision– Age + diagnosis– Diagnosis (type and duration)– Treatment history – Substance use– Work history
Determination if appropriate Age
– Longevity of symptoms– Diagnosis– Treatment history
New diagnosis/type of diagnosis– Medical evidence available
Medical evidence – The listings or ‘blue book’ – Medical Summary Report can
appropriately convey impairments
Determination if appropriate (cont.)
Substance Use – Periods of sobriety– What use means to individual– Materiality
Work history– Failed attempts, scattered, long
periods Prior application attempts/denials
Common reasons not appropriate
Goal of employment Lack of severity of conditions New diagnosis and duration Somatic conditions Hearings Level
Handling of non-SOAR applicants
Employment– Moving forward with employment and disability
Severity of conditions/duration– Reasoning behind severity – tips on how to
assist through ‘normal’ process Somatic conditions
– Utilize Medical Summary Report or functional assessment for medical conditions – how impacts day-to-day functioning
Tips for working at hearings level
Accepting SOAR Referrals with Limited Resources
Jessica Calys, LMSW
Wyandot Mental Health Center
Kansas City, Kansas
WMHC SOAR Referral Process
Informal Apply what we have learned as SOAR
Case Managers Use information from DDS Serve as appointed representative or refer
to another service
Referral Sources
Active consumers at the mental health center
SOAR is a limited resource– 2 case managers
Referral Form
Referral Process
Sent to SOAR coordinator Coordinator or case manager calls
DDS DDS provides information on past
claims
Chart Review Intake: presenting problem, reported symptoms,
previous psychiatric history/treatment, client’s report of medical risks, current medications, strengths and additional resources, suicide/homicide history or risk, safety concerns, bio-psychosocial history, legal involvement, history of abuse/trauma, substance abuse/use, mental status exam, and diagnostic summary.
Medication history with Wyandot Center Progress notes
Looking For:
Functional information Past or current work history Treatment history
Alternatives to SOAR Assistance
Assist in completing online application, explain process
Provide a list of attorneys who are good collaborators
Refer to the agency’s supported employment program
Questions and Answers
Facilitators:SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
For More Information on SOAR
Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar
Or contact:
SAMHSA SOAR TA Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.Delmar, NY
518-439-7415soar@prainc.com
top related