Penny Miller, LMSW Phoenix VA Medical Center VJO

Penny Miller, LMSW Phoenix VA Medical Center VJO

In November 2009, Secretary Shinseki of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the Department s plan to end Veteran homelessness within the next 5 years Many justice-involved Veterans are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness Estimates of homeless Veterans in AZ 444 sheltered Veterans; 247 identified on the street; 68 additional homeless Veterans identified (PIT 2011) 1,800 homeless Vet submissions reflected PVAHCS (2010) 2,180 Veterans served within HMIS (2010 AHAR) 900 to 1500 Homeless Veterans on any given Day! About 50% of homeless Veterans are believed to have a lifetime history of incarceration (per HCRV- Bogicevic- referencing NEPEC data 2010)

Ending Veteran Homelessness GPD and Contract Transitional Homeless Programs USVETS: CASSVETS: Ozanam Manor: Cross Roads Midtown: UMOM (pending GPD): MANA House (pending GPD): 66 Beds 43 Beds 20 Beds 20 Beds 8 Family Units 50 Beds HUD-VASH Long Term Permanent Housing Case Management Program Initial 370 HUD-Vouchers (35 Mesa) with 150 Vouchers pending

The VJO initiative is designed to prevent homelessness by connecting eligible justiceinvolved Veterans with needed mental health, substance abuse, and other VA services, when possible, as an alternative to incarceration or other traditional criminal sanctions.

A justice-involved Veteran is: A Veteran in contact with local law enforcement who can be appropriately diverted from arrest into mental health or substance abuse treatment; A Veteran in a local jail, either pre-trial or serving a sentence; or, A Veteran involved in adjudication or monitoring by a court

Combat can cause invisible wounds to the brain, mind, and soul Traumatic brain injury Mental health conditions- ex. PTSD Both types of injuries can lead to Poor judgment Impulsivity Difficulty in matching behavior to the context Behaviors attributable to these injuries Can look like criminal behavior Can be criminal

To provide support, information, and resources to facilitate a successful transition from the justice system to the community To prevent homelessness To reduce the impact of medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse problems To decrease re-incarceration rates To build and develop a network of care that includes VA and non-va resources

Develops relationships and partnerships between VA, Justice Systems, and Community Organizations for Veterans involved with law enforcement, court and jail systems. Outreach to Veterans involved in criminal court systems, or incarcerated in Maricopa County Jail facilities. Determines eligibility for VA services and facilitates enrollment for medical care at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. Provides information, pre-release assessments and screenings in conjunction with corrections staff when possible before jail release. Provides referral, linkage and coordination for VA and Non- VA services.

Eligibility is based upon the Veteran s discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service generally means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard. Veterans must have their eligibility verified by the Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist and register at their local VA health care facility in order to participate in VA health care programs and services.

Designation of a Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist at every VA Medical Center Each VJO covers that VA s catchment area 3 Main VA Medical Centers in Arizona Phoenix Cover Maricopa and Gila Counties Prescott George Lawson Tucson Steve Wenzel/ Debra White

VA treatment services will not be provided to Veterans while they are incarcerated. Eligible Veterans may receive VA hospital or outpatient care upon release from the correctional facility. VA services or benefits will not be provided to any Veteran wanted for an outstanding felony warrant. Prison outreach is not included in the VA Medical Center Veterans Justice Outreach Program (see the VISN Healthcare for Reentry Veterans program)

VA Healthcare System Medical Care, including prescriptions Mental Health Care Substance Abuse Treatment, including Residential Treatment SARRTP/ Prescott DOM Homeless Services : CASS Vets, US Vets, Ozanam Manor, HUD- VASH Compensated Work Therapy/Supported Employment VA Regional Office VA Disability Compensation & Pension GI Bill Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Home Loan Services Life Insurance

In 2004, nearly 650,000 people were released from prison and over 7 million people were released from jails across the United States In 2004 BOJ Survey of inmates in State & Federal Correctional Facilities found that approximately 10% reported prior military service (140,000 inmates) 62-65% of these Veterans received an Honorable discharge & approximately 16% received a General, Honorable Conditions A majority of these Veterans served during a wartime period (54% in State prisons & 64% in Federal prisons)* Combat experience: 20% State & 26% Federal *of these wartime Veterans, 3.7-4.5% served in OEF/OIF era; reminder: OEF began 10/7/2001, OIF began 5/20/2003

US Number Est d % Veterans Est d Veteran Number Probation 4,293,200 9.3% 399,300 Parole-Supervised Release 824,400 9.1% 75,000 Local Jail 780,600 9.3% 72,600 State Prison 1,315,300 10.4% 136,800 Federal Prison 197,300 9.8% 19,300 Total Correctional 7,328,200 9.6% 703,000 Adults Arrested 12,078,000 9.6% 1,159,500

ADC asks inmates to self-report military history at intake Branch of military War Zone Type of discharge March 2010 AZ Dept of Corrections 40,508 inmates 2,884 self-identified to have prior military history (approximately 7% of ADC population; 31 were females) Maricopa system does not currently ask a formal military question either at booking or at pre-trial intake Currently in process of possibly adding this question

What are Veterans Treatment Courts? (JusticeforVets.org) Hybrid Drug and Mental Health Courts that use the Drug Court model to serve veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. They promote sobriety, recovery and stability through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collaboration with the traditional partners found in Drug and Mental Health Courts, with the addition of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans' Benefits Administration, volunteer veteran mentors and veterans and veterans' family support organizations. Number of operational Veterans courts~ approx 76 still and growing!!

Maricopa County Veterans Court (Superior) Commissioners Hintze & Holding and Pro-Temp Judge Gen. Maxon Started Jan. 20, 2011- every Thursday Training in Feb. 2011 Veterans on Probation:: Violations/Absconders/Warrants/At Risk Specialized Probation Officers Coordination of court and agencies- closed staffing Mentors Sentencing Conferences/ Phase 2?

Maricopa County Drug Court Awarded Veteran Track (Superior) Official start date was 6/2011 every other Mon. Specialized PO and SO Coordination of court and agencies- closed staffing Mentors will be added City of Phoenix Veterans Court? Continuity of Care Calendar under the Superior Mental Health Court

Currently providing assessments and linkage to VA and Non-VA services to Veterans identified at Maricopa Jails and in the community by VA staff, Probation, Correctional Health Staff, the Public Defenders Office and the community. Participate in both Maricopa County Veterans Court, as well as participate in planning discussions of future courts Phoenix Homeless Court- Phoenix VA Medical Center is a direct referral source for the Court. Stand Down- courts/ attorney and DMV involvement Dr. Tarazon and Dr. Bushnell providing training to CIT s, Police Departments, Correctional Health Staff / Officers, as well as Probation Officers on TBI and PTSD. David Klein- Suicide Prevention Coordinator educating and participating in groups and with agencies at the government and community level to address Veterans in crisis

Working with the Phoenix VA Medical Center and VA Regional Office for Collaboration for Services VAMC Eligibility/ VARO- Benefit determination and enrollment OEF/ OIF- Case management, Linkage to additional Resources Substance Abuse- Prescott Domiciliary, SARRTP, Crossroads, Outpatient Clinic Mental Health Clinics- PTSD Groups, PCT Clinic, MST Services, Inpatient/ Outpatient Treatment, Non-Title 19 s Healthcare for the Homeless- GPD and Contract Housing, HUD VASH, Advocating for Future Contract Housing Beds to meet VJO Veteran needs

Penny Miller, LMSW Phoenix VA Medical Center- Veterans Justice Outreach 650 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 277-5551 ext. 6965 (602) 717-6785 (602) 200-2324 fax Penny.Miller2@va.gov http://www1.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp