Forensic Employment Programs for Offenders with Mental Health Disabilities Declan Wynne and Latasha Billups Sound Mental Health December 14, 2011

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 2 Largest Integrated Behavioral Health Agency in WA Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Chemical Dependent – Enhanced Certification DVR and Supportive Employment Contractor Housing Specialty Population Provider

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 3 Specialized Programs for Those Involved in the Criminal Justice System 12 Forensic Programs FACT FISH ORCSP FIRST Court CCAP Sound Reentry IDDT

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 4 Forensic Team Multi-specialized staff Trans-disciplinary team approach Strong emphasis on multisystem wraparound care

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 5 Multi-Specialized Team 75 Forensic Specialists make up a multi- specialized disciplinary team Doctor of Psychology Masters Level Professionals Chemical Dependency Professional Domestic Violence Perpetrator Intervention Specialists Sex Offender Treatment Provider Peer supports Housing supports

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 6 Trans-Disciplinary Approach The team as a whole is responsible for the consumer The team is cross-trained Many team members are multi-credentialed

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 7 Multi-System Wraparound Care Team members include: Department of Corrections and Probation Family member(s) where possible Members of the Police Housing personnel

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 8 Forensic Consumers 3,500 criminally involved consumers -700 focus of employment activities  Chronically mentally ill  86% are substance abusers  Approximately 75% are homeless upon referral  Over 90% are unemployed Plus  Little formal education  Interrupted work history  On entitlement programs for many years  Low and latent skills

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 9 Complicated by Criminal Histories General statistics for new referrals to MH agencies:  45% had one contact with criminal justice systems  36% had at least one criminal conviction  19% has a felony Sound Mental Health’s Forensic programs:  100% of jail referrals have between 2-18 convictions  100% of prison referrals have 5+ felonies Crimes include murder, rape and child molestations, assaultive behaviors and drug related offenses

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 10 Sex Offenders Hardest challenge Registration Restriction on locations Probation Officers review employment Stigma

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 11 The Role of Employment in Reentry Program “Employment is a key factor for improving psychosocial outcomes for offenders with mental illness, as it improves socioeconomic status, provides social interaction, helps provide meaningful or purpose for the individual, and may be viewed as a therapeutic agent.” Employment Outcomes and Psychosocial Outcomes for Offenders with Mental Illness. Sneed, Kock, Estes, Quinn 2006 International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitations. 10 (2),

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 12 Reentry Portals to Vocational Services A Vocational Specialist is sited on each of our 4 community support campuses Each program (there are many at each site) has an identified team member who functions as an employment liaison, total 25 3 vocational specialists work exclusively with the developmentally challenged 9 vocational specialists in the Standard Supportive Employment high fidelity model

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 13 Growth Brought Additional Challenge 700 consumers involved in the Criminal Justice System targeted for outcomes Our employment staff reported that assisting our criminally involved, mentally ill, substance abusing consumers was the biggest challenge and they did not have the time or skills to focus on this problem Our forensic staff has many priorities and employment was down the list

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 14 The Pygmalion Effect The greater the expectation placed upon individuals the better they perform The opposite is also true The lower the expectation placed on individuals the less they perform. In fact, the lower the expectations the more entrenched or internalized negative label they become

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 15 The Pygmalion Opposite Effect Behavioral health agencies have contributed to this dilemma by having: Lower work expectations for the population Enforcing reliance on financial entitlements Presuming consumers are low-skilled and uneducated Assuming that mental illness is a barrier to working

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 16 Interventions to Increase Employment Outcomes for Criminal Justice Involved Consumers We developed a multi-layered strategic approach that would include: Forensic Team cooperation Criminal Justice System partnerships Consumer involvement Finding employers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 17 Our Task: To Motivate & Seek Change Find employment/employers for mentally ill, chemically dependent individuals with criminal backgrounds in an economy where jobs are scarce Challenge staff beliefs around consumers and employment Increase the consumers belief in the possibility of employment Include our partners who have to uphold the law and supervision requirements

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 18 Expanded the Role & Staff of the Wraparound Team We expanded the wraparound team to included a new position of a Forensic Vocational Coordinator to: To provide assistance to the consumer To raise and challenge the “vocational awareness” of the wraparound team Challenge the Pygmalion opposite effect Expand the portfolio of employers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 19 The Credibility Factor Factors for consideration when including the Forensic Vocational Coordinator in the wraparound team Job description Where to site Who supervises Credentials

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 20 Integration of Employment in the Treatment of the Consumer Develop in the Electronic Record an integrated comprehensive single Service Plan that is Accessible to all team members, such as prescriber, mental health, housing and chemical dependency staff Includes the vocation and education interventions, short term objectives and goals on the plan Plan is developed with the client, case worker and the vocational coordinator The plan is overseen by the behavioral health clinician

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 21 Wraparound Meeting & Interventions The vocational coordinator attends the clinical meetings Ensures the vocational goal and the client’s progress are discussed each week All attendees brainstorm on readiness, skills, appropriateness and job possibilities An SMH benefit planner becomes involved and educates the case manager and the consumer on what can be earned without disrupting benefits Consumer is apprized of the conversations

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 22 The Wraparound Team Including System Partners The wraparound team including system partners assists with identifying employment resources where the consumer resides and participates in next steps DOC and clinical staff know possible employers in the consumer’s community Clinical staff can assist by going to the businesses, introduce, pick up resumes Probation officers know who employs offenders

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 23 The Role of Peers Employed consumers, Forensic Vocational Peers are now participating by: Gathering the initial work history Applying for financial aid at schools Tracking and ensuring assignments are completed Providing support to the vocational coordinator and for the consumers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 24 What is Happening with the Consumer Ongoing work development Which positions have potential Define essential from non-essential Seek employee feedback Thinking creatively Seeking out proper guidance Thoughtful discourse Open communication

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 25 Job Development The consumers reasonably identify their skills and readiness through individual and group contact The individualized services plan shapes the next steps on which businesses to approach The wraparound team identifies local business resources The vocational coordinator researches the business The vocational coordinators outreach to the community

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 26 Interview Strategies Educate the consumers on what Federal and State incentives are available to businesses that hire offenders Criminal background Federal resources State resources Prior to interview, the Vocational Coordinator and consumer pre-fill these applications to present to the employer during the interview Rehearse with the consumers how to bring these areas into the interview

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 27 Research and Outreach Steps Research the business mission statement What the statement says about involvement in the local community Armed with this information, make the first contact Utilize person-to-person contact rather than cold calls Request limited time, say 5-10 minutes Stay focused on the business needs Verbally present and advocate for the consumers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 28 Business Reaction The business card identifies the agency Vocational Coordinator builds upon the potential employers reaction, knowledge and fears during the meeting Emphasis is placed on the concept of rehabilitation and how it ties to the business mission statement Often this is one of the first of many visits, each visit is designed to “sweeten the pot”

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 29 How to “Sweeten the Pot” Bartering System We offer:  In-service Drug and Alcohol information  Stress relief workshops  Tutoring  Community resources and referral information Supports:  Case management supports for the consumer  Consultation for the business owner  Participate in business meetings

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 30 Criminal Background How do we address criminality with employers? What kinds of crimes cause the least resistance with employers? What about sex offenders? What kind of assurances are employers looking for?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 31 Partnering with Community Resources Working closely with community colleges  Do they have programs for those involved in the criminal justice system? Knowing their resources  Grants, GED, Trade Certifications? Knowing their programs  Types of Degrees? Accessing their system  Do they have a data system of potential employers?  How to gain access?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 32 Challenges Encountered Client Demographics Client restrictions due to criminal history Hiring atmosphere Consumer expectations Salary Big Dreams Uncertainty Entitlement and expecting Vocational Specialists to work for them People skills

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 33 Wraparound Challenges Vocational Specialist concept of disclosure Privacy versus Supervision requirements Department of Corrections and name of contact Personality versus criminality mentality Lack of respect for social norms

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 34 Employment Challenges Job not what they expected Performance issues Job retention  Quitting  Re-hiring  Success rates

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 35 Targets Expanding the pool of vocational assistance Research funding opportunity Establishing outcomes for consumers being employed

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 36 Employers Retail  Major Department Stores  Grocery Stores  Hotels  Car Rentals Trades  Painters  Demolitions  Electrician Semi-Skilled  Ware House  Sport Events  Catering Events

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 37 Comments & Questions

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 38 Contact Us Sound Mental Health Declan Wynne, LMHC Director of Recovery & Integrated Care Latasha Billups, MA, CDP, EMMHS Forensic Vocational Coordinator

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 39 THANK YOU!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 40 Offender Webinar Series Archives Available Obtaining Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities who have Criminal Backgrounds Providing Employment Services to Individuals with Disabilities who have Criminal Backgrounds Overview of the Legal Consideration Providers and VRCs should know when working with Offenders Using Customized Employment for Individuals with Disabilities who have Criminal Backgrounds Forensic Employment Programs for Offenders with Mental Health Disabilities

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 41 Education Credits CRCC Credit - (2.0) – DUE December 23 Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)  Participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. CEU Credit - (0.2) Approved by the University College at Syracuse University  Participants must submit an online CEU Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 42 Southeast TACE (Region IV) Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) Web: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © 43 Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV© 2011 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].