1. Virginia Department of Corrections Community Release Unit
BPRO, POSSESS, VASWP
Fall 2015 CONFERENCE
October 1, 2015

2. Community Release Unit
*Role and structure of the Community Release Unit
*Types of releases
*About 13,000 offenders released last year
*Increased number of offenders with specialized needs

3. Who are the Community Reentry Specialists (CRS)?
Area and Statewide specialists
Homeless assistance
Care coordination
Resource development, linkages
Policy analysis
Pre-release benefits application process technical assistance providers

4. Why do we apply for pre-release benefits?
Income for housing and programs
Continuity of care
Providers more likely to accept
Reduce homelessness
Reduce recidivism

5. DOC Pre-release Benefits Application Process
SSI-
MOA with SSA and DRS/DDS
Specialized, expedited process
Application timeframes: 120/disabled, 30/age-based
Medicaid-
DSS Incarcerated Individuals Pre-release planning policy
Application timeframes: 90/disabled, 45/age-based

6. Placement options Transitional housing programs
Assisted living and nursing facilities
Permanent supportive housing programs

7. Supportive Services Dialysis Oxygen DME Hospice Home health
Mental health intensive services

8. Gaps/Barriers Medicaid application processing timeframes
Prior locality discrepancies
Medicaid cover letter

9. DOC Community Release Unit Specialized CRS Contact information
Donna Harrison, Supervisor
(804)
Kendra Coleman, CRS
(804)
Ashley Morales, CRS
(804)