justice involved veterans recovery & support camila l. lopez, lisw veterans justice outreach...
TRANSCRIPT
Justice Involved Veterans
Recovery & Support
Camila L. Lopez, LISWVeterans Justice Outreach CoordinatorNew Mexico VA Health Care System
United States Department ofVeterans Affairs
(VA)
Veterans Health Administration
(VHA)
Veterans Benefits Administration
(VBA)
National Cemetery Administration
(NCA)
All VA Healthcare
Primary CareMental HealthSpecialty Care
Emergency Services
Community-based Clinics
All VA Benefits
GI BillHome Loan Guaranty
Vocational RehabCompensation &
Pension (“Claims”)
All VA Cemetery Services
National and State Veteran CemeteriesHeadstones
MarkersPresidential Memorial
Certificates
Vet Cente
r
United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
Application for Service Connection
Submitting Evidence1. Statement2. Medical Records3. C&P Doctor’s Medical Exam (If needed)
Evidence is Reviewed and Claim is Rated
VHA NCAVBA
Health Care
Veterans Justice ProgramsHealth Care for Re-entry
Veterans◦Outreach to prisons◦Assist Veterans within 6 months of
release Access VHA Medical & Behavioral Health
Care
Veterans Justice Outreach◦Outreach to detention centers,
courts, law enforcement◦Assist Veterans with access to
Medical and Behavioral Health Care
PreventionThe VJO program is a prevention
focused component of the VHA homeless programs.
VJO serves as the clinical linkage to necessary treatment alternatives.
Link eligible justice involved veterans to needed medical care (including mental health, substance misuse, and vocational treatment).
Bureau of Justice Statistics2002: 9.3 percent of people
incarcerated in county jails were veterans
82% of those are eligible for VA services
AccessGoal is to improve access to
services for justice involved Veterans
Avoid unnecessary incarceration and criminalization of Veteran defendants and offenders with mental illness, substance misuse, and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Diversion to treatment, when legally appropriate, is encouraged
“No Wrong Door”Collaboration between the VA
medical centers, community partners, and veteran service agencies (state and local)
Justice Involved VeteranA Veteran in a local county jail or
correctional facility awaiting adjudication for a criminal charge (not yet sentenced)
A Veteran in contact with local law enforcement who can be potentially diverted from arrest into mental health / substance abuse treatment
A Veteran involved in some level of monitoring by a court
Justice Outreach ContactsLaw Enforcement & Emergency
ServicesInitial DetentionJails and Specialty CourtsProbation & ParoleCommunity Correction and
Support
Jail OutreachContact with local detention
facilitiesIdentify Veterans in detentionNeeds assessment
◦Income, housing, treatmentLink to treatment & servicesCommunity SupportPeer Support
Court Outreach
Pretrial ServicesProbationPublic Defenders & Defense
AttorneysDistrict Attorneys / ProsecutorsSpecialty Court Administrators
Veterans Treatment CourtsBased upon evidence based drug
court modelWhen legally appropriate, offer
alternative to detention (treatment)
Court teams are well informed about Veterans issues
Offer additional supports to increase likelihood of success
Veterans Treatment Courts Generally pre-sentencing
programs
Ongoing court supervision
Treatment requirements
Mentorship
Peer Support and Mentors
VHA hired Veterans as Peer Support Specialists
Veterans Courts seek Veteran volunteers to provide mentorship and support
Veterans Justice Outreach & Peer Support
Medical CenterHomeCommunityCourt
Walk with the VeteranNon-judgmental approachCommon ground
VA Peer Support Case Example
Mr. X is a combat Veteran with longstanding history of poly-substance use and history of related charges. He signed a plea agreement and believed his case was complete until the Court contacted him for sentencing years later.Mr. X had completed residential and outpatient treatment and maintained recovery for 3 years.The Veteran made contact with VJO Peer Support Specialist who identified Veteran as being in need of additional supports.
VA Peer Support Case Example (continued)
Peer Support Specialist and VJO attended court hearings and advocated for Veteran within the system. Mr. X was accepted into a specialty court and is on track to complete his court involvement successfully.Peer Support Specialist works with this Veteran as he deals with frustration and confusion about the court process.
MISSION STATEMENTInsure that every Veteran
receives the services needed to navigate the court, VA, and other systems.
The Mentor acts as friend, ally and advocate.
Veterans Court Mentorship
Slide courtesy of Buffalo Veterans Court Mentor Program
Goals of Mentorship in Vet Courts
Help Veterans navigate court, VA, and treatment systems
Help with readjustment to civilian life
Help Veteran and family access services
ACTIVE LISTENEREMPATHETICENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTIVETOLERANT AND RESPECTFUL OF
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCESKNOWLEDGE OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS SERVICESKNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY
SERVICES
Mentor Qualities
Slide courtesy of Buffalo Veterans Court Mentor Program
Veterans Court Mentor Case ExampleMr. A is a OIF Veteran initially identified in the detention system. Justice involvement is directly related to serious mental illness and co-occurring substance misuse. Mr. A was referred to Veterans Court but struggled to meet the requirements of that program and was in danger of unsuccessful termination until he was referred to a Vet Court Mentor.
Veterans Court Mentor Case Example (continued)The Veterans Court Mentor developed a relationship with Veteran through visits to his home, and helping with access to necessities and services. The relationship allows for honest communication which has improved the Veteran’s participation.Mr. A is a “high risk, high needs” client as identified by the Drug Court and Vet Court models.
Veterans Court Mentor Case Example (continued)The Vet Court Mentor continues to be highly active in supporting Mr. A through medical illness, relapse, and psychosocial stressors which challenge his ability to participate in the court program.The commitment of the Vet Court Mentor makes it possible for this Veteran to benefit from treatment and the opportunity offered by the Veterans Treatment Court.
Linkswww.justiceforvets.orgwww.va.gov/homeless/vjowww.nchv.org
◦National Coalition for Homeless Veteranswww.buffaloveteranscourt.orgwww.csctulsa.org
◦Tulsa Veterans Treatment Courthttp://www.ncsc.org/sitecore/content/
microsites/future-trends-2012/home/Courts-and-the-Community/3-1-A-Mentor-in-Combat-Veterans-Court.aspx