Transitioning Forensic Clients Back into the Community. This presentation will address some common problems facing clients who come from the criminal justice system into mental health housing.

1. So I’m out of prison…So I’m out of prison…
Now what?Now what?
Transitioning Forensic Clients BackTransitioning Forensic Clients Back
into the Communityinto the Community
ACLAIMH ConferenceACLAIMH Conference
November 3, 2010November 3, 2010
Olga Brito, LMSW, Maria Nicolai, MA, Carmen DeJesus, CASACOlga Brito, LMSW, Maria Nicolai, MA, Carmen DeJesus, CASAC
and Suzette Sclafani, LMSWand Suzette Sclafani, LMSW

2. Agency Mission:Agency Mission:
 To change lives, by offering health, hope andTo change lives, by offering health, hope and
opportunity to the most vulnerable in ouropportunity to the most vulnerable in our
community.community.
 We offer a comprehensive range of evidenced-basedWe offer a comprehensive range of evidenced-based
rehabilitative services including mental health andrehabilitative services including mental health and
substance abuse treatment, housing, vocationalsubstance abuse treatment, housing, vocational
training, job placement, healthcare, education, andtraining, job placement, healthcare, education, and
creative arts therapies.creative arts therapies.

3. The BridgeThe Bridge
Outpatient ProgramsOutpatient Programs
 Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS)Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS)
 Clinic ServicesClinic Services
 Vocational ServicesVocational Services
 OASAS ProgramOASAS Program

4. Overview of ResidentialOverview of Residential
ProgramsPrograms
 Supervised Community Residence (Super CR)Supervised Community Residence (Super CR)
 Apartment TreatmentApartment Treatment
 Community Residence/Single Room OccupancyCommunity Residence/Single Room Occupancy
(CR/SRO)(CR/SRO)
 Community Care/Supported Housing, a.k.a.Community Care/Supported Housing, a.k.a.
“Permanent” or “Graduate”“Permanent” or “Graduate”
 Multiple Scatter-Site and CongregateMultiple Scatter-Site and Congregate
Programs in Manhattan & The BronxPrograms in Manhattan & The Bronx
 Sheridan Hill House, Iyana HouseSheridan Hill House, Iyana House

5. Iyana House:Iyana House:
Program CharacteristicsProgram Characteristics
 Permanent Supported HousingPermanent Supported Housing
 16 Studio Apartments16 Studio Apartments
 Gender SpecificGender Specific
 24/7 Staffed residence24/7 Staffed residence
 F/T Case ManagerF/T Case Manager
 F/T Peer CounselorF/T Peer Counselor
 P/T Substance Abuse CounselorP/T Substance Abuse Counselor

6. Iyana House:Iyana House:
Program GoalsProgram Goals
 PermanencyPermanency
 Parole CompletionParole Completion
 Reduction of RecidivismReduction of Recidivism
 Community ReintegrationCommunity Reintegration
 Family ReunificationFamily Reunification

7. What is theWhat is the
selection process?selection process?

8. InreachInreach
 Pre-release GroupPre-release Group
 Referral from CUCS RCS (ReentryReferral from CUCS RCS (Reentry
Coordination System)Coordination System)
 Interview ProcessInterview Process
 AcceptanceAcceptance
 Individualized Pre-Release CounselingIndividualized Pre-Release Counseling

9. The First 30 Days:The First 30 Days:
Engagement ServicesEngagement Services
 PickupPickup
 First visit to ParoleFirst visit to Parole
 ““Bonding” PeriodBonding” Period
 Coordinating Medical and PsychiatricCoordinating Medical and Psychiatric
ServicesServices
 Benefits CounselingBenefits Counseling
 Visitor’s PolicyVisitor’s Policy

10. Unique Challenges for thisUnique Challenges for this
PopulationPopulation
 Identifying and de-programming prisonIdentifying and de-programming prison
cultureculture
 Breaking other maladaptive habitsBreaking other maladaptive habits
 Over- or mis-medicated, undiagnosedOver- or mis-medicated, undiagnosed
medical issuesmedical issues
 Staff training (SPECTRM, Harm Reduction)Staff training (SPECTRM, Harm Reduction)
 Boundaries and limit-settingBoundaries and limit-setting
 Transitioning clients to more independentTransitioning clients to more independent
housinghousing

11. Obstacles to RecoveryObstacles to Recovery
 Substance abuse/addictionSubstance abuse/addiction
 Medication and treatmentMedication and treatment
noncompliancenoncompliance
 Limited resources, financesLimited resources, finances
 Unrealistic vocational goalsUnrealistic vocational goals
 Unrealistic expectations around familyUnrealistic expectations around family
reunificationreunification
 BoredomBoredom

12. What we have learned…What we have learned…

13. How we have adapted ourHow we have adapted our
services to this populationservices to this population
 Integrating the Parole Officer into theIntegrating the Parole Officer into the
treatment teamtreatment team
 Foster a collaborative as opposed toFoster a collaborative as opposed to
adversarial relationship betweenadversarial relationship between
consumer and Parole Officerconsumer and Parole Officer
 Fostering Personal ResponsibilityFostering Personal Responsibility
 Advocacy*Advocacy*

14. Parole Release PreparationParole Release Preparation
 Case PlanningCase Planning
 Rehearsing for releaseRehearsing for release
 Conferencing with treatment team andConferencing with treatment team and
family membersfamily members
 Assertiveness Training/EmpowermentAssertiveness Training/Empowerment

15. Contact:Contact:
The BridgeThe Bridge
248 West 108248 West 108thth
StreetStreet
New York, NY 10025New York, NY 10025
(212) 663-3000(212) 663-3000
Bridgeinfo@thebridgeny.orgBridgeinfo@thebridgeny.org