Law Enforcement | Prison| Court Outreach 1. Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Initiative Background of program VJO services in Pennsylvania VA Services.

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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

x7982Bonnie.Clark@va.gov

Butler Bradley Schaffer 724-285-2240 Brad.Schaffer@va.gov

Clarksburg Richard Jones 304-623-3461 richard.jones5@va.gov

Coatesville Dianna Zinnie 610-384-7711

Erie Terrence W. Yeager 814-860-2122 Terrence.Yeager@va.gov

Lebanon Julie Bergstresser 717-272-6621 x5162

Julie.Bergstresser@va.gov

Philadelphia

Rebecca HicksCynthia Okore

215-823-5800X6594215-823-5800 X3518

Rebecca.Hicks@va.govCynthia.Okore@va.gov

Pittsburgh Keather LikinsThomas Stokes

412.822.1409412-822-1324

Keather.Likins@va.govThomas.Stokes@va.gov

Wilkes-Barre

Kim Sapolis Lacey 570-824-3521 kimberly.sapolis_lacey@va.gov

Wilmington Cecilia Gonzalez 302-994-2511 cecilia.gonzalez2@va.gov

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Questions?

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