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Veterans Healthcare ReEntry Specialist Program

Learn about the VA VISN 4 program for OEF/OIF Veterans, focusing on successful community reintegration by preventing homelessness and reducing recidivism. Discover the role of HCRV specialists, outreach services, eligibility assessments, and collaboration with justice agencies.

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Veterans Healthcare ReEntry Specialist Program

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  1. ReEntry: OEF/OIF Veterans Ebony S. McDonald, MSW, LSW, MBAp VISN 4 HCRV Specialist Lebanon VA Medical Center

  2. ReEntry & VHA Goal: Promote successful community integration by engaging in Tx & rehab programs which assists in preventing homelessness & decreasing recidivism • Every VISN has a HCRV Specialist • Many have at least 2 (39 nationally) • Incorporating HCRV specialists into individual facilities

  3. VISN 4 Healthcare for ReEntry Veterans • Outreach into state & federal institutions • 46 State, 13 Federal, & 49 CCC • Pre-release services • Education on benefits & services • Assessment of needs (i.e. R-Form) • Eligibility (i.e.10-10EZ) • Collaboration with DOC, BOP, & Parole • Accessing healthcare upon release • Assisting with homelessness • Addressing mental health & substance abuse issues • Referrals • VA • Community

  4. Justice-Involved Veterans Banks (2009); Bureau of Justice Assistance (n.d.); Gains Center (2008); Coleman (2009); PA DOC (2010) • ~1.2 million Veterans arrested in 2007 • 9 in 100 inmates in U.S. jails & prisons is a Veteran • In mid 2007, 9.4% or 223,000 inmates in prisons & jails were Veterans • Does not include those on community corrections or supervision • 703,000 Veterans incarcerated or supervised in 2007 • ~10-12% (5,124-6,149) of PA DOC inmates report military service

  5. Demographics of VISN 4 Basic Characteristics Problems • Mean age: 48 years • 98.2% Male • Race • 52.3% White • 40% Black • 5.1% Hispanic • Marital Status • 54% Divorced/Separated • 79% Vietnam Era • 16% Served in Combat • Medical & Psych Diagnosis • 54.9% Medical • 54.4% Alcohol • 60.4% Drug • 22.3% Dual Dx • 28.6% Serious Psych Dx • Criminal Offenses • 36.7% Violent • 22.4% Property • 25.1% Drug • 14% Public Order (i.e. DWI, prostitution) NEPEC Draft Data for HCRV Report (2010)

  6. Military Training • Trained to survive in combat which can change worldview • The world isn’t safe • Others want to harm me • Must be ready for danger at all times • No sense of purpose • Transition back to civilian life can be difficult • Hypervigilance • Aggressive driving • Carrying weapons at all times • Self-medication • Coming in contact with our criminal justice system

  7. OEF/OIF Veterans PA Dept of Military & Veterans Affairs (2009); Gains Center (2008) • As of May 2010, ~7,930 men & women from PA deployed in Iraq & Afghanistan • Post-deployment incidences • Substance abuse • Domestic violence • PTSD/TBI • Depression/Anxiety • Unemployment • Unmet mental health a growing concern for combat Vets • Survey of 1,965 OEF/OIF Vets found • 18.5% mental health condition • 19.5% experienced a TBI during deployment • 14% prevalence of current PTSD & depression • 2008 RAND Corporation study found • 1/5 or 300,000 of the 1.6M U.S. troops witnessed combat action & reported symptoms of PTSD & depression • Many did NOT seek treatment

  8. The Wounded PlatoonPBS Frontline

  9. OEF/OIF Veterans & CJS NEPEC Draft Data for HCRV Report (2010) Small proportion of justice-involved Veterans Actual number unknown nationally ~4% in VISN 4 from 2007-2009(n=474 in state & fed prisons)*

  10. Why is ReEntry Needed? • More than 85% of people sent to prison are paroled back to the streets • More than 650,000 people are released from state prisons in the U.S. each year • Est. 9 million released from local jails each year • In 2007, Est. 56,000 Veterans released from prison each year • ~80% of incarcerated Veterans have an honorable or general discharge • 82% are eligible for VA services Gains Center (2008); Noonan & Mumola (2007); Schaffer (2009)

  11. Homelessness & ReEntry Bureau of Justice Assistance (n.d.) • Many released from incarceration at-risk for homelessness • Increases likelihood of recidivism • More than 10% of those coming in & out of prison report homelessness in the months prior • Mental illness increases this rate to about 20% • 49% of homeless adults reportedly spend 5+ days in a city or county jail over their lifetime • 18% has been incarcerated in state or federal prison

  12. What Is Being Done? • States passing legislation to address increase in Veterans within justice system • Preference towards treatment over incarceration • Veterans Courts • Veteran tracks within specialty courts • Veterans Justice Outreach into jails • Training police as first points of contact on how to appropriately respond & defuse situations • ReEntry Courts • Long-term housing solutions

  13. What Is Being Done? (Cont.) Continued identification to barriers for Veterans Continued work with corrections & the community to establish solid relationships & supports Treatment to address PTSD/TBI & trauma

  14. Closing Thoughts • OEF/OIF Veterans increasing within justice system • Veterans have shorter criminal hx • Committing more violent crimes • Military mind-set • Untreated PTSD/TBI & depression • Serving longer sentences • Veterans are less likely in the first place to be incarcerated • Treatment needed post-deployment • Continued diversion & outreach needed

  15. Thank You! Ebony S. McDonald, MSW, LSW, MBAp VISN 4 HCRV Specialist 1700 S. Lincoln Ave (680) Lebanon, PA 17042 717-272-6621 ext 6215 ebony.mcdonald@va.gov

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