Identifying SOAR Applicants Please stay on the line. Audio: 1-888-469-3145 Passcode: 2045270 The webinar will begin shortly.

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

[email protected]