Lackawanna County...The Center of Excellence workshops, Cross-System Mapping and Taking Action for...

D R E X E L U N I V E R S I T Y &

U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H

Lackawanna County Report of the Cross-Systems Mapping Workshop

May 2014

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Lackawanna County, PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence Report, May 2014

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Facilitator

Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, Center of Excellence Senior Consultant

Other Support

Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, Research Coordinator

Casey LaDuke, MS, Research Associate

Center of Excellence Staff

David DeMatteo, JD, PhD Sarah Filone, MA

Christy Giallella, MS Patricia Griffin, PhD Kirk Heilbrun, PhD Casey LaDuke, MS

Edward P. Mulvey, PhD Sarah Phillips, BA

Carol Schubert, MPH Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, BA


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Table of Contents

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact With the Criminal Justice System

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5

About the Workshop ......................................................................................................................... 6

Objectives of the Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise ....................................................................... 6

Keys to Success ............................................................................................................................... 7

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Cross Systems Mapping

Lackawanna County Cross Systems Map ....................................................................................... 8

Lackawanna County Cross Systems Narrative ............................................................................... 9

Intercept I: Law Enforcement / Emergency Services ........................................................ 11

Intercept II: Initial Detention / Initial Court Hearing ........................................................... 17

Intercept III: Jails / Courts ................................................................................................. 19

Intercept IV: Re-Entry........................................................................................................ 23

Intercept V: Community Corrections / Community Support .............................................. 26

Lackawanna County Action Planning

Lackawanna County Priorities ....................................................................................................... 33

Lackawanna County Action Plan ................................................................................................... 34

Conclusions and Summary

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 42

Closing ........................................................................................................................................... 42


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List of Appendices

Appendix A – Participant List ......................................................................................................... 43

Appendix B – Lackawanna Cross Systems Mapping: Follow-Up Resources ................................ 50

Appendix C – Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI Program Strategic Planning Template ........ 55

Appendix D – Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force Five Year Strategic Plan 2012-2016 ..... 58


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Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence Cross-Systems Mapping workshop held in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, on May 21-22, 2014, at the University of Scranton. Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention (BH/ID/EI) program hosted the workshop as part of an ongoing process of developing collaborative systems of support for individuals who have mental illness and who come in contact with criminal justice. This report (and accompanying electronic file) includes: A brief review of the origins and background for the workshop; A summary of the information gathered at the workshop; A cross-systems intercept map as developed by the group during the workshop; A description of each intercept along with identified gaps and opportunities; An action planning matrix as developed by the group; and Observations, comments, and recommendations to help Lackawanna County achieve its

goals.

Background

The Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) and multiple other stakeholders requested the Center of Excellence Cross-Systems Mapping workshop to promote progress in addressing criminal justice diversion and treatment needs of adults with mental illness in contact with the criminal justice system. As part of the workshop, the Center of Excellence was requested to provide assistance to Lackawanna County with: Creation of a map indicating points of interface among all relevant Lackawanna County

systems; Identification of resources, gaps, and barriers in the existing systems; and Development of priorities to promote progress in addressing the criminal justice diversion

and treatment needs of adults with mental illness in contact with the criminal justice system. Prior to the workshops, the Center of Excellence gathered information about Lackawanna County through a Community Collaboration Questionnaire and gathering of documents relevant to the target population. The participants in the workshops included 38 individuals representing multiple stakeholder systems including mental health, substance abuse treatment, human services, corrections, advocates, family members, consumers, law enforcement, and the courts. A complete list of participants is available in Appendix A (pg. 43) of this document. Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, facilitated the workshop sessions. Casey LaDuke, MS, and Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar also provided support.


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About the Workshop

Upon receiving a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in late 2009, the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence was developed as a collaborative effort by Drexel University and the University of Pittsburgh. The mission of the Center of Excellence is to work with Pennsylvania communities to identify points of interception at which action can be taken to prevent individuals with mental illness from entering and penetrating deeper into the justice system. The Center of Excellence workshops, Cross-System Mapping and Taking Action for Change, are unique services tailored to each Pennsylvania community. These workshops provide an opportunity for participants to visualize how mental health, substance abuse, and other human services intersect with the criminal justice system.

This workshop is unlike other types of consultations or staff development training programs. A key element is the collaborative process. Meaningful cross-system collaboration is required to establish effective and efficient services for people with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the criminal justice system. This makes the composition of the group extremely important. While some workshops involve advertising to the entire provider community, it is essential in the Cross-System Mapping workshops that the organizers gather a group that represents key decision makers and varied levels of staff from the relevant provider systems. Center of Excellence staff work with this group, serving as expert guides to help:

Create a cross-systems map indicating points of interface among all relevant local systems; Identify gaps, opportunities, and barriers in the existing systems; Optimize use of local resources; Identify and prioritize necessary actions for change; and Develop an action plan to facilitate this change. Upon completion of the workshops, the Cross-Systems Map included in the report is provided in both print and electronic formats. It is meant to be a starting point. The electronic files can be revised over time to reflect the accomplishments and changes in the planning process.

Objectives of the Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise

The Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise has three primary objectives: 1. Development of a comprehensive picture of how people with mental illness and co-occurring

substance use disorders move through the Lackawanna County criminal justice system along five distinct intercept points: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, Initial Detention/Initial Court Hearings, Jails and Courts, Re-entry, and Community Corrections/Community Support.

2. Identification of gaps, resources, and opportunities at each intercept for individuals in the

target population. 3. Development of priorities for activities designed to improve system and service level

responses for individuals in the target population.


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Keys to Success

Existing Cross-Systems Partnerships Lackawanna County’s history of collaboration between the criminal justice and behavioral health systems is reflected in a number of existing local efforts that were identified prior to the mapping. These include (among others):

Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board;

Lackawanna County Re-Entry Task Force;

Several problem solving courts in the Court of Common Pleas, including the Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, Mental Health Court, Co-Occurring Court, Re-Entry Court, DUI Court, Veterans Court, and Family Court; and

Scranton Area Crisis Intervention (CIT) Team.

Consumer/Family Involvement in the Workshops Consumers were represented by Carl Mosier, Peer Specialist/Community Services

Specialist with the Advocacy Alliance and CSP Co-Chair and Kerry Bentler, Certified Peer Specialist, CIT Trained, and MH Advocate. Consumers added valuable information to the discussion, especially during the discussion of available community resources and action planning around improving continuity of care in Lackawanna County.

Families were represented by HelenMae Newcomer, Scranton Counseling Center and NAMI Scranton Area Chapter, and Marie Onukiavage, NAMI PA Scranton Area Chapter. Family representatives contributed insight and guidance during the discussion of available community resources and action planning around improving behavioral health, diversion, and re-entry services in Lackawanna County.

Representation from Key Decision Makers in the Workshops The workshops included wide cross-system representation and involved many of the key

decision makers. Opening remarks by the Honorable Vito P. Geroulo from the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas set the stage and established a clear message as to the importance of the workshop. Jeremy Yale, Acting Administrator of the Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI Program, welcomed participants and introduced the facilitators.

Data Collection In addition to the information gained during the workshop, the information in this report was

developed from conversations with and questionnaires completed by key stakeholders in Lackawanna County in preparation for the workshop.


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Lackawanna County Cross Systems Map


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Lackawanna County Cross Systems Narrative

The Cross-Systems Mapping exercise is based on the Sequential Intercept Model developed by Mark Munetz, M.D. and Patty Griffin, Ph.D.,1 in conjunction with the National GAINS Center. In this workshop, participants were guided to identify gaps in services, resources, and opportunities at each of the five distinct intercept points.

This narrative reflects information gathered during the Cross-Systems Mapping Workshop. It provides a description of local activities at each intercept point, as well as gaps and opportunities identified at each point. This narrative may be used as a reference in reviewing the Lackawanna County Cross-Systems Map. The cross-systems local task force may choose to revise or expand information gathered in the activity.

The gaps and opportunities identified in this report are the result of “brain storming” during the workshop and include a broad range of input from workshop participants. These points reflect a variety of stakeholder opinions and are, therefore, subjective rather than a majority consensus.

General Description of Services and Cross-System Collaboration

Lackawanna County was established in 1878 and is the most recently established county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lackawanna County—named after the river that flows through it—covers 456 square miles and is home to more than 200,000 residents living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. As of the 2012 census, the majority of Lackawanna County residents were Caucasian (92%), mainly from Italian, Irish, Polish, and German descent. Approximately 2.5% were Black or African-American, and approximately 5% were Hispanic or Latino (or any race). Approximately 20% of Lackawanna County residents are under the age 18 years, and another 20% are over the age of 65 years. Scranton is the largest city in Lackawanna County, and also serves as its county seat.

The County has been building a continuum of criminal justice and behavioral health services that provides a basic foundation for continued growth and reorganization on all levels. There are a number of established links, both formal and informal, between the courts, probation, police departments, corrections and the mental health system that include, but are not limited, to:

Scranton Area Crisis Intervention Team;

Mobile and walk-in crisis services;

Lackawanna County Re-Entry Task Force;

Several problem solving courts in the Court of Common Pleas, including the Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, Mental Health Court, Co-Occurring Court, Re-Entry Court, DUI Court, Veterans Court, and Family Court;

Behavioral health programming and in-reach programming at the Lackawanna County Prison;

Specialized behavioral health probation caseloads; and

Various clinical services by local providers for justice-involved individuals.

The Lackawanna Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) is a group of top-level county officials that address criminal justice issues from a systemic and policy level perspective. The Lackawanna County CJAB studies best practices in the administration and delivery of criminal justice, recommends ways in which public agencies can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system within a county, and provides an ongoing forum for

1 Munetz, M. & Griffin, P. (2006). A systemic approach to the de-criminalization of people with serious

mental illness: The Sequential Intercept Model. Psychiatric Services, 57, 544-549.


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communication and joint problem solving among county officials on a wide range of criminal justice issues. The Lackawanna County CJAB is the designated point of contact with the Commonwealth and the federal government for criminal justice matters. The Lackawanna County CJAB is chaired by the Honorable Vito P. Geroulo from the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Lackawanna County provides an extensive and detailed network of care website for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health. It provides information about behavioral health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other feature is available at: http://lackawanna.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/index.aspx.

http://lackawanna.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/index.aspx


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Intercept I: Law Enforcement / Emergency Services

Lackawanna County 911

The Lackawanna County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is the designated provider for dispatching emergency medical services in Lackawanna County. Lackawanna County ECC is located in the Lackawanna County Center For Public Safety at 30 Valley View Drive in Jessup.

Lackawanna County ECC is involved in crisis intervention and diversion programming. The Director of Outreach of Lackawanna County ECC is on the Board of Directors for the Scranton Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. Lackawanna County ECC dispatchers have been trained in mental health topics by Scranton Counseling Center (SCC).

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement in Lackawanna County is provided by over 40 police jurisdictions, ranging from the largest jurisdiction, Scranton Police Department, to several rural districts staffed by a single part-time law enforcement officer. Training for law enforcement officers is provided by the Police Academy at Lackawanna College. Police officers have also been trained as part of the Scranton Area CIT program.

Additional law enforcement coverage is provided in Lackawanna County by the Pennsylvania State Police (Troop R). Troop R also covers Susquehanna, Wayne, and Pike counties and is located at 85 Keystone Industrial Park in Dunmore, PA. State police officers have also been trained as part of the Scranton Area Scranton Area CIT program.

Scranton Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

The Scranton Area Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program began in 2009 and represents a collaborative initiative across criminal justice and mental health systems. The formation of the CIT was recommended by a task force appointed by Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty after a 2009 incident in which a consumer was killed. Scranton Area CIT involves a specialized 40-hour training for law enforcement officers on behavioral health to enhance officers’ ability to assess, de-escalate, and resolve situations involving individuals experiencing psychiatric crises. Officers who complete the Scranton Area CIT are trained in alternatives to incarceration for individuals experiencing behavioral health issues, including diversion from standard prosecution where appropriate. Specifically, protocol is for Scranton Area CIT officers to bring such individuals to an area emergency room (see below) for crisis evaluation by hospital staff.

Community stakeholders for Scranton Area CIT include Lackawanna County 911, the Chief of Police of the Scranton Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office of Lackawanna County, the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Counties MH/MR Program, Keystone Community Resources,


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Keystone College, community representatives, SCC, Shiloh Baptist Church, Certified Peer Specialist/Mental Health Advocates, the Advocacy Alliance, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI PA), Lackawanna County Human Services, and Geisinger–Community Medical Center. Scranton Area CIT includes coordination from the criminal justice, behavioral health, and family advocacy agencies, including supporting a Law Enforcement CIT Coordinator, MH CIT Coordinator, and NAMI (Advocacy Community) CIT coordinator.

As of May 2014, there have been six trainings and 91 individuals have complete training through the Scranton Area CIT program. Approximately two-thirds of those trained are law enforcement officers, and the remainder of trained individuals includes (among others) Sheriff’s, State Police officers, probation and parole officers, hospital security officers, university security officers, mental health providers, ambulance crews, 911 dispatchers from Lackawanna County. For the first Quarter of 2014, Lackawanna County Dispatch reports 138 Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDP) coded calls and 3 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) coded calls.

Hospitals

Several hospitals in Lackawanna County provide emergency services for individuals experiencing acute medical and psychiatric crises. Geisinger–Community Medical Center provides a complete continuum of educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services and programs for Lackawanna County, including crisis services coordinated in the hospital and the community counseling agency. Geisinger–Community Medical Center is located at 1800 Mulberry Street in Scranton, PA. Moses Taylor Hospital is a 217-bed, acute care hospital located at 700 Quincy Avenue in Scranton, PA. Regional Hospital of Scranton is a 198-bed acute care hospital located at 746 Jefferson Avenue in Scranton. Additional emergency services are provided through Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, PA, and Mid-Valley Hospital in Peckville, however both of these facilities are soon to close their emergency and acute medical services.

Detoxification services

Lackawanna County does not currently provide acute detoxification services. The Habit OPCO Dunmore Treatment Center (operated by CRC Health Group) provides medically supervised methadone maintenance treatment to individuals who are attempting to overcome an addiction to or dependence upon heroin or other opioids. To be eligible for this type of treatment at the Habit OPCO Dunmore Treatment Center, prospective patients much be at least 18 years old and must have been addicted to or dependent upon opiates for a minimum of 1 year prior to seeking treatment. The Habit OPCO Dunmore Treatment Center is located at 118 Monahan Avenue in Dunmore. Even though the Wilkes-Barre General closed their medical detox facility, representatives from the facility report that they will still take emergency medical detox individuals on a case-to-case basis. Moreover, by November 2014 Wilkes-Barre General is planning to significantly expand their D&A and detox capacity.

Community Intervention Center

The Community Intervention Center (CIC) provides combined drug and alcohol, mental health, and homelessness services in Lackawanna County (see Intercept V, pg. 29, for more information). CIC professional staff are trained to assess and respond to individuals experiencing psychiatric crisis, many of whom are transported to CIC by law enforcement


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officers. CIC has developed several protocols to respond to individuals experiencing psychiatric crises, including a continuum of services ranging from basic service provision (e.g., meals and showers) to de-escalation to involuntary civil commitment (“302”) depending on the need of the current situation. CIC is open 8:00am through 7:00pm, 7 days per week, and is located at 445 North 6th Avenue in Scranton, PA.

For more information, see http://communityinterventioncenter.org/.

Scranton Counseling Center

Scranton Counseling Center (SCC) provides a variety of drug and alcohol, mental health, and developmental and intellectual disability services in Lackawanna County (see Intercept V, pg. 28, for more information). SCC provides Emergency/Crisis Intervention services for individuals experience psychiatric crisis by mental health professionals trained in crisis intervention. Emergency services are available on-site from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, at 326 Adams Avenue in Scranton. SCC staff are also located at Geisinger–Community Medical Center after hours and on weekends and holidays for emergency response.

For more information, see http://www.scrantonscc.org/.

NHS of Northeastern PA

NHS Human Services provides a variety of drug and alcohol, mental health, and developmental and intellectual disability services in Lackawanna County (see Intercept V, pg. 28, for more information). These include Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, in which trained professional staff provide phone and face-to-face intervention to evaluate supports and services needed to help the individual access care. Care is coordinated with other providers, family members, and any others designated by the individual. Crisis resources are also available at the walk-in center located in Carbondale.

For more information, see http://www.nhsonline.org/.

Crisis hotlines

Lackawanna County services provide a variety of hotlines and warm lines for individuals experiencing or at risk for experiencing psychiatric crises:

Scranton Counseling Center (570-348-6100)

NHS Human Services (570-282-1732)

Advocacy Alliance Mental Health WARM LINE (866-654-8114; 6:00pm – 10:00pm, 7 days per week)

F.I.R.S.T. telephone directory (570-961-1234; 24 hours per day, 7 days per week)

Victims Services

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Victim Resources website provides the following victim services resources for Lackawanna County. Further information can be found at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/find_help_in_your_county/14752

http://communityinterventioncenter.org/

http://www.scrantonscc.org/

http://www.nhsonline.org/

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/find_help_in_your_county/14752


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Victim Service

Program

Type of Program Street Address City

Lackawanna County Victim/Witness Unit

We help victims of all crimes Lackawanna County Courthouse (200 North Washington Avenue)

Scranton

MADD–Northeastern Affiliate Office

We help victims of impaired driving crashes

1216 Carbon Street Reading

Women's Resource Center, Inc

We help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence

P.O. Box 975 Scranton

In addition, Lackawanna County residents have access to the following resources:

PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence 6400 Flank Drive, Ste. 1300 Harrisburg, PA 17112

daytime: 800-932-4632 website: www.pcadv.org

PA Coalition Against Rape 125 North Enola Drive Enola, PA 17025

daytime: 717-728-9740 24 hour hot line: 888-772-PCAR website: www.pcar.org

PCCD Victims Compensation Program 3101 N. Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17108

daytime: 717-783-5153 800-233-2339 website: www.pccd.state.pa.us

MADD, PA State Office 2323 Patton Road Harrisburg, PA 17112

daytime: 717-657-3911 24 hour hotline: 866-439-6233 (Pittsburgh) 800-848-6233 (Harrisburg) website: www.maddpa.org

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/OVA_Redirector.asp?U=www.pcadv.org

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/OVA_Redirector.asp?U=www.pcar.org

http://www.pccd.state.pa.us/

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/OVA_Redirector.asp?U=www.maddpa.org


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The gaps and opportunities identified in this report are the result of “brain storming” during the workshop and include a broad range of input from workshop participants. These points reflect a variety of stakeholder opinions and are, therefore, subjective rather than a majority consensus.

Identified Gaps

CIT training is currently on hold

Make sure to include law enforcement (LE) and 911 in the future conversations for

cross collaboration

Some LE jurisdictions have difficulty finding free time for LE officers to attend the

40 hour CIT training and back paying for the training

Several small local jurisdictions staffed by part time officers – can be challenging to

provide training

CIT Board of Directors wear several different hats and they are all stretched for

time and resources

Hard to get CIT data from the smaller jurisdictions

Sometimes challenging to get veterans to come and speak as CIT trainers

Last few CIT Board of Directors meetings have had very low attendance

More involvement of the local police chiefs in CIT

Mobile crisis is being underutilized

Lack of detox services in the area – limited funding

Wilkes-Barre ER that focused on detox services just closed this month (May 2014)

– only medical-based detox in the area (90% of the cases were not eligible for

reimbursement)

High rise in heroin in the area

Multiple crisis services in the county and even more crisis linkages for individuals

with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and autism - creates multiple crisis silos that can

be difficult for law enforcement to navigate

Some liability issues with expanding peer support specialist’s role in CIT

calls/incidents

Identified Opportunities

911 staff receives behavioral health training

6 CIT trainings to date with over 100 individuals trained in CIT from a range of

organizations (LE, ambulance, hospital staff, etc.)

911 outreach coordinator is a member of the CIT Board of Directors

CIT trainings have had success in the involvement of peer specialists

CIT has support from the media

Wilkes-Barre General will still take emergency medical detox individuals on a case to case basis

Wilkes-Barre General will significantly expand their D&A / detox capacity by November 2014

Wilkes-Barre General looking into a crisis response center (CRC) that can address both D&A and MH


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CIT targeted part time officers that worked for multiple jurisdictions

Started having conversations about incorporating CIT components into the initial

training with the local college/Police Academy/Act 120 that provides police training

Conducted a train the trainer with Luzerne County who began to incorporate the

training in their county

Really positive feedback from the LE officers that participated in the CIT training

Included state police in CIT training and received positive feedback from them

Getting the officers who have been CIT trained more involved in the future

Look at future funding opportunities for a dedicated CIT coordinator – offset data to

show cost savings?

Scranton PD has the ability to send a CIT officer when they receive a CIT

call/incident

Expanding Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training locally – Marie Onukiavage and

Ray Hayes are instructors – Several agencies expressed an interest in the training

The national MHFA website shows there are two additional trainers in the area

from Advocacy Alliance (Cindy Mrakovich [email protected] and

Michele Dempsey)

Able to expand linkages to peer support services during a CIT call especially if they

are not taken to the hospital

New resources dedicated towards expanding crisis services

County has been creative in using reinvestment dollars for on-call systems / crisis

lines

mailto:[email protected]


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Intercept II: Initial Detention / Initial Court Hearing

Arrest and Initial Detention

Once arrested, individuals in Lackawanna County are transported to the Central Processing Center (“Central Booking”). The Central Processing Center is located in the Lackawanna County Courthouse at 200 N. Washington Avenue in Scranton and is operated 24/7 by staff from the District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office.

During normal operating hours (prior to 8:00pm) individuals are arraigned in the Central Processing Center (see below) and released on bail, released on their own recognizance (ROR), or transported to detention at the Lackawanna County Prison. After normal operating hours, individuals are transported to the Central Processing Center for processing and then to the Lackawanna County Prison for initial detention. These individuals are then arraigned the following morning in the Lackawanna County Prison facility in-person or via videoconferencing (see below).

Approximately 10,000 -15,000 individuals are processed for criminal charges each year in Lackawanna County, including approximately 5000 individuals processed through the Lackawanna County Jail. During this processing phase, individuals undergo a brief screening that includes items related to mental health and drug and alcohol use.

Preliminary Arraignment

Preliminary arraignment is completed in Lackawanna County by ten Magisterial District Judges (MDJs) and one centralized district court. Defendants charged with summary offenses (traffic and non-traffic), misdemeanor offenses, and felony offenses are arraigned by the MDJ in the relevant District Court, bail is set, defendants are advised of their rights, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled in a timely manner. At the preliminary hearing, these court cases are either waived to the Court of Common Pleas by the defendant; or, after the hearing, they will be dismissed or bound over to court if a prima facia case is found. Additionally, district judges issue arrest warrants, conduct preliminary arraignments, set and accept bail, and issue search warrants.

The Central Court, located on the ground floor of the Lackawanna County Courthouse (200 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton) was established to efficiently dispose of preliminary hearings in misdemeanor and felony cases filed in any of the ten magisterial districts in the county. The administrative office establishes an annual schedule that places one MDJ on duty every day from 9:00am one day until 9:00am the next. This “on-call” duty rotates between the 10 judges with the on-call judge hearing emergency relief petitions under the Protection From Abuse Act (PFA) and presiding over preliminary arraignments of all criminal matters for the entire county for that 24-hour period. In addition to 24-hour duty at the home court, the Central Court operates each Monday through Friday at the courthouse with the on-call district judge presiding over


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misdemeanor and felony preliminary hearings and DUI court cases. Central Court provides the advantages of convenience to public defenders and district attorneys, a system of expedited case processing, increases security and reduces costs of transportation for prisoners, and provides more standardization of case management and handling of requests for continuances.

There are currently no pretrial services provided in Lackawanna County. The Intercept 2 Program is specifically for first time offenders and is provided as a step-down from the traditional Mental Health Court. According to Mental Health Court administrators, referrals for the Intercept 2 Program primarily come from the Mental Health Court itself (rather than preliminary arraignment). Participants receive services from specialized mental health probation officers, and their records are expunged following completion of the program.

For more information, including the jurisdictions and contact information for the MDJs, see http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/magisterial-district-judges.

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program is designed for first-time offenders and those who have a significant period of productive community involvement. A waiver of the preliminary hearing must be made at the first appearance at the Central Court. All defendants are given a 3-month review date at the time of admission into the ARD program. All participants are required to complete a period of community service assigned or approved through the Lackawanna County Community Justice Outreach Program.

Identified Gaps

Individuals with citations and high bond amounts go directly to jail

No pretrial services in county

Individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) do not usually have the ability to

make bail and are forced to go to jail – fines and fees accrue over time

Limited systemic approaches to diverting defendants with behavioral health

problems

- Intercept 2 Program not currently receiving referrals from MDJs

Lack of housing after they are released on bail or ROR

Decision making during Preliminary Arraignment is typically based on information

from the police officers rather than formal procedures


“Mental Health Court Intercept 2” Program – referrals coming from the problem solving courts - opportunity to expand referrals from MDJs

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/magisterial-district-judges


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Intercept III: Jails / Courts

Lackawanna County Prison

The Lackawanna County Prison (LCP) was originally built in the mid-1880’s for a population of 110 prisoners. A major renovation and expansion was completed in 1999 allowing for a maximum population of approximately 1,200 prisoners. Lackawanna County Prison houses male and female pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates up to 1 day and less than 5 years. The Lackawanna County Prison is located at 1371 North Washington Avenue in Scranton.

As of May 2014, the LCP census was 950 inmates, including 750 county inmates and 250 state and federal inmates. The majority of the county inmates are awaiting trial (approx. 300), are county sentenced inmates (approx. 130) or are incarcerated related to fines and court costs (approx. 100).

LCP processes approximately 5000 admissions per year. Of these individuals, approximately 10% are “frequent flyers” and less than 100 are direct probation/parole violators. According to a recent self-study, 40% of yearly admissions self-report mental health issues, with 93-96% of those individuals self-reporting receiving services in the community. Further, 80-90% of yearly admissions self-report drug and alcohol issues, with 70-80% of those individuals self-reporting receiving services in the community. The average length of stay at LCP is 20-30 days. According to the same self-study, the recidivism rate of individuals leaving LCP is approximately 54% over a 3-year period.

Individuals entering LCP undergo an initial screen that includes items related to mental health and substance use issues. An LCP nurse administers a similar screen upon medical processing, and follows up within 72 hours regarding these items. If an individual is on psychiatric medications or reports needs related to mental health, their name is put on a list reviewed daily by SCC for continuity of care. A more thorough evaluation—including a risk-needs evaluation utilizing the Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R)—is completed within 2 weeks of admission.

Various behavioral health services are provided within LCP and through community in-reach programming. In-house programming is afforded to the inmate population based upon their classification and includes (among others) drug and alcohol counseling, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, Anger Management, Parenting Classes, and Computer training. According to LCP administrators, LCP conducts approximately 370 detoxifications per month. Services provided by SCC include a full-time staff member at LCP to conduct preliminary MH assessments; a psychiatrist (2 nights per week, 6-8 hours total) who works with the SCC Director of Forensic Services (stationed in LCP) to enhance continuity of care; mental health case management; legal assistance; and post-release re-entry planning.

According to SCC administrators, their staff sees approximately 30 new cases per year with mental health issues. They estimate that approximately 10 out of the 950 inmates currently


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incarcerated at LCP have a serious and persistent mental illness. Additional formal and informal in-reach services are provided by the Department of Human Services Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs (drug and alcohol programming), the Employment Opportunity & Treatment Center (vocational training and drug and alcohol programming), and the Advocacy Alliance (peer in-reach).

Court of Common Pleas

The 45th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters in Lackawanna County. The Lackawanna County Courthouse is located at 200 N. Washington Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Honorable Thomas J. Munley serves as President Judge and handles all administrative duties for the court, assigns the judges to various divisions of the court and exercises general supervision and administrative authority over the 10 district courts. The Court of Common Pleas is also composed of one Senior Judge and eight additional judges.

For more information, including the contact information for the Court of Common Pleas judges, see http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/courts-and-judiciary/court-of-common-pleas.

The judges hear a wide spectrum of cases, including several specialized dockets coordinate through several specialty courts. The Adult Drug Court formally started in 2004 and is “designed to rehabilitate non-violent offenders through a judicially supervised program focusing on treatment, accountability, and responsibility.” The program consists of offenders meeting with the Court Treatment Team for a minimum of 12-18 months. The Court Treatment Team includes the judge, along with representatives from Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, Adult Probation Department, and treatment providers. The Adult Drug Court supports a coordinator to conduct structured interviews of incoming participants. Three probation officers are assigned to the Adult Drug Court. To enter the Adult Drug Court, individuals must apply through their attorney with the District Attorney’s Office. Admittance is generally based on the nature of the individual’s charges. Once accepted into the Adult Drug Court, individuals are scheduled for an initial interview and assessment, which is then used by the judge and treatment team to render a final participation decision. Offenders participating in this program are required to have frequent contact with the Treatment Team and frequent drug screening. The offender pleads guilty but sentencing is deferred pending successful completion of the program. Upon graduation the charges are dismissed. As of May 2014, the Adult Drug Court supported a docket of 130 participants. The Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse.

The Mental Health Court started in December 2006 and includes a treatment team composed of representatives from the Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, the Probation Department, and appropriate treatment providers. The Treatment Team works together to ensure the needs of the offender are met, which increases the likelihood of successful intervention. Referrals for the Mental Health Court come from a variety of sources—including the Public Defender’s Office, private attorneys, and SCC —and are presented to the District Attorney’s Office, who then gives a recommendation to the Mental Health Court. Offenders are then placed into the Mental Health Court after pleading or being adjudicated guilty. Bail cases are also eligible for participation. The time frame for participation is open ended, and participants’ records are not expunged following graduation from the Mental Health Court. The Mental Health Court supports a coordinator to conduct structured interviews of incoming participants. Two probation officers experienced in working with mental health clients are assigned to the Mental Health Court, and also provide supervision to offenders with mental

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/courts-and-judiciary/court-of-common-pleas

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/courts-and-judiciary/court-of-common-pleas


21

health issues that are not in the Mental Health Court Program. As of May 2014, the Mental Health Court supported a docket of 30-35 participants. The Presiding Judge is Judge Vito Geroulo.

Alternately, offenders can be diverted to the Mental Health Court by the MDJs at preliminary arraignment, referred to as an “Intercept 2 case” (see Intercept II, pg. 18). The Reentry Court started in December 2007 and targets high-risk offenders with drug and alcohol issues re-entering Lackawanna County from state prisons who are eligible for parole (or re-parole). The offender participates in a Transition Support Group that is operated by the Employment Opportunity & Training Center (EOTC). The EOTC also works with the offender on employment issues. If the offender is not employed, he may be required to participate in the Day Reporting Program (see Intercept V, pg. 26) and perform community service. The program generally lasts 4 months. One probation officer is assigned to the program and coordinates treatment referrals. The probation officer and the offender meet with the sentencing judge to review progress once a month. The Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse.

The Co-Occurring Court started in 2009 as a subcategory of the Adult Drug Court that provides services specifically for offenders with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Many Co-Occurring Court participants begin in the Adult Drug Court and are transitioned to the Co-Occurring Court once their substance use issues stabilize and mental health issues become more apparent. Participants in the Co-Occurring Court receive case management through three dedicated case managers, and receive services through NHS of Northeastern PA or the SCC (see Intercept V, pg. 28). As of May 2014, the Co-Occurring Court supported a docket of 25-30 participants. The Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse.

The Veterans Court started in 2009 to address the special needs of veterans who are placed under criminal justice supervision. At the outset of the Veterans Court, the majority of participants has primarily substance abuse issues, with a more recent trend of mixed substance abuse and mental health issues (particularly PTSD). As of May 2014, the Veterans Court supported a docket of 30 participants (the majority of whom are VA eligible). The Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse.

The Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Court started in 2005 and provides intensive supervision of repeat DUI offenders (three or more) with comprehensive substance abuse treatment at its core. Referrals are received from the Office of the District Attorney, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS), and the Adult Probation Department. Participation lasts approximately 24 months. All offenders with a mandatory 5-year sentence are placed in the program. Two probation officers are assigned to DUI Court. As of May 2014, the DUI Court supported a docket of 86 participants. The Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse.

The County Intermediate Punishment (CIP) Program targets the Level 3 and Level 4 Sentencing Guideline offenders that have drug and alcohol issues. CIP program participants are placed in the Adult Drug Court. Offenders receive intensive supervision, random urinalysis and, in certain cases, placement on Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM). Two probation officers are assigned to the CIP program.

The Court of Common Pleas also supports specialized dockets through the Family Court (Presiding Judge is Judge Michael Barrasse) and Juvenile Drug Court (Presiding Judge is Judge Trish Corbett). A Domestic Violence Court is also in the preliminary planning phase.


22

Identified Gaps

370 detoxifications a month in the local jail

Challenge for jail to identify a mental illness versus substance abuse user

Long waiting list for forensic hospitals (9 months for Norristown State Hospital

Forensic Unit vs. shorter time for forensic unit at Torrance State Hospital)

Approximately 54% return to the jail within a 3 year period

Many veterans do not self-identify as a veteran at initial reception into the jail

Jails see inmates with multiple generational incarceration

Challenge in getting beds for individuals (inmates) in need of involuntary

hospitalization at local hospitals


Forensic evaluations and court hearings for forensic commitments are completed in a timely manner

Veteran Justice Outreach (VJO) Coordinator (Wilkes-Barre) is involved in Veteran’s Treatment Court

Jail interested in having a staff member from the jail trained as an instructor in

MHFA

Jail asks about status of children at intake

Low SMI numbers – county reports that it is due to different initiatives between

behavioral health and criminal justice systems

Good cooperation with the state correctional system

Numerous problem solving courts

Judges have been a major proponent for problem solving courts – trust in the

services/agencies – showcases the collaboration within the county

Problem solving courts really leveraged the community/county to help sustain the

various courts

12 dedicated probation officers for problem solving courts (8 are for the adults)

Lackawanna County Department of Human Services has started to work with the

problem solving courts to centralize the data and coordinate all these data systems


23

Intercept IV: Re-Entry

Lackawanna County Prison Re-entry

LCP releases inmates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Public transportation is generally available through the County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) bus network; friends and family also provide the primary means of transportation for inmates leaving LCP.

LCP recently developed a new position, Re-Entry Manager, to better coordinate re-entry services. The Re-Entry Manager functions as the liaison between LCP and community agencies, and is responsible for tracking inmates in LCP, developing re-entry plans, and ensuring continuity of care for inmates with behavioral health issues upon release. LCP utilizes the COMPASS electronic system to re-establish public benefits for inmates re-entering society. The protocol at LCP is to provide inmates with 3 days of their medications for aftercare, however LCP administrators report they are able to provide more if needed.

SCC and NHS of Northeastern PA work with LCP staff to ensure continuity of care for individuals receiving behavioral health services. As of May 2014, SCC staff see re-entering individuals with behavioral health needs within 7-10 days of their release from LCP, and ensure the individual is provided with enough medication to last from release to reconnecting to services.

Various additional community service providers support in-reach programming into LCP to assist with re-entry for individuals with behavioral health issues. This includes mental health case workers supported by SCC; drug and alcohol case managers supported by the Adult Drug Court (see Intercept III, pg. 20); drug and alcohol in-reach supported by DATS; vocational and drug and alcohol programming supported by EOTC; and informal peer in-reach supported by the Advocacy Alliance.

Lackawanna County Re-Entry Task Force

The Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force (LCRTF) is a group of local agencies dedicated to helping those re-entering society from the Lackawanna County Prison System. Members of the LCRTF include a variety of criminal justice, mental health, drug and alcohol, and community service representatives, as well as consumer and family advocates. The LCRTP currently supports four subcommittees on Housing, Employment, Substance Abuse/Mental Health, and Evidence-Based Practices.

Regular monthly meetings are held to obtain community-wide stakeholder participation in learning about the state of reentry locally and to set strategic reentry planning priorities for Lackawanna County. In 2012, the LCRTF developed and released the Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force Five Year Strategic Plan 2012-2016 (see Appendix D), which includes a summary of Strategic Action Areas and Logic Model (i.e., specific action plan). The LCRTF held


24

two Lackawanna County Reentry Symposia in April 2013 and April 2014 that brought in local and regional experts to discuss reentry research and programming. The LCRTF provides periodic updates of planning process undertaken by the Task Force to the Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB).

Veterans Services

Lackawanna County is served by the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, located at 1111 East End Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre, PA (http://www.wilkes-barre.va.gov/; Phone: 570-824-3521 or 877-928-2621). Lackawanna County is also served by the Scranton Vet Center, located at 1002 Pittston Avenue in Scranton, PA (8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday; Phone: 570-344-2676 or 877-927-8387).

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center supports a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist to coordinate forensic services for veterans in the criminal justice system. Kim Sapolis-Lacey ([email protected]) serves as the VJO for Lackawanna County, where she is heavily involved in the Court of Common Pleas Veterans Court (see Intercept III, pg. 21).

State Prison Re-entry

There are several behavioral health services provided to individuals re-entering Lackawanna County from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. These include outpatient substance abuse treatment; outpatient sex offender treatment; a Cognitive Behavior Restructuring Program; and an offender housing assistance program, including vouchers and small subsidies to cover utilities.

Lackawanna County contains the Scranton Community Corrections Center operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, located at 240 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Scranton CCC houses State Intermediate Punishment inmates and offenders who have been granted parole by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, and provides a transitional process by allowing residents monitored contact with jobs and educational opportunities. Several other private venders in Lackawanna County contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to provide specialized treatment and supervision services, many in the area of substance abuse programming

http://www.wilkes-barre.va.gov/


25

Identified Gaps

Limited funding for housing once inmates are released

Sometimes gaps in time for first appointment when released but the jail and SCC

works with the individual to get enough medication until their first appointment

- Currently no formal policies to sustain this collaborative effort if there is

staff change in the future

Some formulary issues when released

NHS lost full time psychiatrist – community psychiatrists are hesitant to see new

patients

Increase in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) seen in community – hard to treat

Can be released at any time from jail – difficulty setting up aftercare appointments

Difficulty getting a form of identification for inmates – needed for MA benefits

On reentry piece/taskforce, they are missing representatives from Office of

Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and CareerLink

Getting individuals “work ready”

When inmates are released, some owe significant back costs in addition to having

limited employment options

Relationship between jail and County Assistance Office (CAO) could be stronger

Aftercare services (appointment availability) is a gap in the problem solving courts


SCC Director of Forensic Services (Dennis) is able to get inmates very quick

appointments once released

Telepsychiatry success in other counties – could be explored in Lackawanna

New Reentry Manager position will specifically target the transition process out of

jail

- Reentry Manager can help with the aftercare services linkage

- Reentry Manager will work with the inmates and the electronic

COMPASS system for reinstating Medical Assistance benefits

Barb (Treatment Courts Coordinator) has a really good relationship with CAO –can

get the Warden good contact information

Forensic Certified Peer Specialists have gone into the jail on the Mental Health

Court’s request – opportunity for more in-reach into the jail

PEERSTAR (peer services) is coming to the county to discuss possible services

SCC has a good relationship with the Public Defender’s office

The county works hard to find housing placement immediately for ID populations

Lack of money management skills – Local university students can come in and conduct training


26

Intercept V: Community Corrections / Community Support

Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole Office

The Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole Office (LCAPP) provides supervision for county, state, and federal offenders under community supervision in Lackawanna County. In addition to providing probation and parole supervision, LCAPP officers’ responsibilities include conducting presentence investigations, pretrial bail reports, pretrial urine screenings, SCRAM (Alcohol Monitoring) House Arrest and bail monitoring, and GPS satellite monitoring. LCAPP is located in the Brixx Building at 130 N. Washington Avenue (3rd floor) in Scranton.

As of May 2014, LCAPP supports a total of 35 adult and juvenile probation and parole officers, and 8 administrative staff. Twelve probation and parole officers are assigned to specialty court supervision, including 8 for adult specialty courts and 4 for juvenile specialty courts. LCAPP officers are assigned to the Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts, Mental Health Court, Reentry Court, Co-Occurring Court, DUI Court, Veterans Court, CIP Program, and ARD probation supervision. The typical caseload is 100 individuals per probation or parole officer; the average caseload for specialty court officers varies by court, including 140 for DUI Court, 80 for CIP Program, 60 for Adult Drug Court, and 40-50 for MHC. Many probation and parole officers supervise non-specialty court clients in addition to the specialty court responsibilities.

When an individual under community supervision in Lackawanna County violates their conditions of community supervision, they are sent directly back to correctional supervision at the Lackawanna County Prison. These individuals generally receive 6-, 9-, or 12-month “hits” on their record, during which they receive programming within the Lackawanna County Prison. Additionally, the Day Reporting program started in 2007 as a sentencing alternative for Community Intermediate Punishment (CIP) participants (see Intercept III, pg. 21) and as a sanction for probation or parole violators. Two probation officers are assigned to the program.

For more information, see http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/public-safty/adult-probation-parole.

Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole

The Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole also provides services to Lackawanna County residents under state parole supervision. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole utilizes Assessment, Sanctioning and Community Resource Agents (ASCRA) to establish and develop community resources through community organizations, faith groups, and support services. ASCRAs facilitate cognitive behavioral groups with medium- and high-risk offenders to

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/public-safty/adult-probation-parole

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/public-safty/adult-probation-parole


27

target anti-social and other criminal thinking errors that contribute to violations of parole and can contribute to additional criminal activity. Referrals to this program in Lackawanna County are managed by the Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole Office and funded through the state correctional system. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole also provides mental health groups, mentoring programs, and reentry job fairs to resident of Lackawanna County under state parole supervision.

For more information, see http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/home/5298.

Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention Program

The Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention (BH/ID/EI) Program serves more than 13,000 individuals through various providers of behavioral health and intellectual disabilities services. The program's service area consists of Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties, which have a combined population of more than 255,000 residents. The program's primary goal is to facilitate the inclusion and full participation of all persons with behavioral health in their local community. It organizes itself to proactively address the planning, development, procurement, management, and evaluation of services, thereby enhancing consumer satisfaction and positive personal outcomes. Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI assumes a leadership role in collaboration with consumers, families, advocates, providers and local government to ensure full participation of persons in their communities. Each year, Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI spends nearly $67 million in public funds to make sure the behavioral health and intellectual disabilities needs of its service area communities are met.

For more information, including a description of all of the services provided through Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI, see http://www.lsmhmr.org/.

Department of Human Services Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs (ODAP) serves as the Single County Authority (SCA) for substance abuse services within Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties. Its primary mission is to prevent the onset of substance abuse and addiction whenever possible and where it does exist to mitigate its deleterious effects on individuals, families, and the community as a whole. In order to achieve this the SCA is committed to the provision and maintenance of a full range of high quality and cost effective alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, intervention, and treatment services responsive to the particular needs of the citizens of Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties. ODAP supports a variety of drug and alcohol services in Lackawanna County, including certified recovery specialists to assist with various treatment and community needs.

For more information, see http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/human-services/drug-and-alcohol-programs.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS) provides Lackawanna County residents with evaluation/diagnostic services, along with individual, family, group therapy, intensive out-patient program, partial hospitalization and an adolescent intensive out-patient program to those

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/home/5298

http://www.lsmhmr.org/

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/human-services/drug-and-alcohol-programs

http://www.lackawannacounty.org/index.php/departmentsagencies/human-services/drug-and-alcohol-programs


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suffering from a drug and/or alcohol problem in an outpatient environment. Evaluation, diagnostic services, and individual and group therapy are the traditional services offered, and partial hospitalization, family therapy, intensive outpatient, and specialized adolescent programs are also major components. All major insurances and medical assistance are accepted and an agency sliding fee schedule is in effect for those without insurance coverage.

The Scranton DATS office is located at 441 Wyoming Ave., Scranton PA. 18503 and is open Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday 8:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact information for the Scranton DATS office is (570) 961-1997 or [email protected]. Offices are also located in Carbondale.


The Scranton Counseling Center (SCC) is a private, nonprofit behavioral healthcare program that provides a complete range of evaluative and treatment services in Lackawanna County. SCC staff includes psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, masters level behavioral specialists, licensed social workers, art therapists, nurses, caseworkers, behavioral analysts as well as other mental health and intellectual disability specialists. SCC is located at 326 Adams Avenue in Scranton.

SCC provides a variety of behavioral health programs, including adult acute and long-term behavioral health services, a dual-diagnosis residential program, emergency/crisis intervention, an employee assistance program, intensive/resource coordination case management, a partial hospitalization program, and a psychiatric rehabilitation program. These services are provided directly by SCC or through affiliation with other qualified providers/programs.

SCC supports a variety of programming specifically related to justice-involved individuals. SCC supports a Director of Forensic Services, who is located within the Lackawanna County Prison. This position receives a list of individuals entering Lackawanna County Prison who are on psychiatric medication or have received behavioral health services in the community, and does additional research to see what services the individual has received or is eligible to receive in the community upon re-entry. This position is also involved in the Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court (see Intercept III, pg. 20). Additional related services supported by SCC include Assertive Community Treatment (including a former Forensic Assertive Community Treatment worker), peer support, and specialized case management.

For more information, including a description of all of the services provided through SCC, see http://www.scrantonscc.org/.

NHS of Northeastern PA

NHS of Northeastern PA (NHS) is a comprehensive community-based provider of mental health and intellectual disability services to infants, children, adolescents, adults, geriatric individuals and families within upper Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Wayne Counties. NHS provides a variety of services, including outpatient services, emergency services, psychiatric/psychological evaluations, evening/weekend programs, family-in-home therapy, intensive case management, partial hospitalization, and peer support services.

NHS provides several services specifically for justice-involved individuals in Lackawanna County. These include Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, in which trained staff provide phone and face-to-face intervention to evaluate supports and services needed to help the individual access care. Care is coordinated with other providers, family members, and any


http://www.scrantonscc.org/


29

others designated by the individual. Crisis resources are also available at the NHS walk-in center located in Carbondale, PA. NHS also provides mental health services to participants of the Co-Occurring Court and in the Lackawanna County Prison (see Intercept III, pg. 21).

For more information, see http://www.nhsonline.org/.

NAMI PA Scranton Area Chapter

NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. Local affiliates such as the NAMI PA Scranton Area Chapter and state organizations such as NAMI Pennsylvania identify and work on issues involving individuals with mental illness in local communities. The national office, under the direction of an elected Board of Directors, provides strategic direction to the entire organization, support to NAMI's state and affiliate members, governs the NAMI corporation, and engages in advocacy, education and leadership development nationally.

The NAMI PA Scranton Area Chapter is heavily involved diversion and re-entry programming in Lackawanna County. This includes the Scranton Area Crisis Intervention Team (see Intercept I, pg. 11), various specialty courts (see Intercept III, pg. 20), the Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force (see Intercept IV, pg. 23), and various other formal and informal services. The NAMI PA Scranton Chapter is located at 846 Jefferson Avenue in Scranton.

For more information, including a listing of psychiatric emergency phone numbers, see http://www.namipascranton.org/.


The Community Intervention Center (CIC) is an established resource in Lackawanna County that has been operating for 43 years. CIC provides combined drug and alcohol, mental health, and homelessness services in Lackawanna County, including serving as a day shelter and providing supportive and safe haven housing; crisis intervention services; mental health evaluation; detoxification and inpatient mental health, substance use, and dual-diagnosis treatment referral; and recreational, self-help, and recovery groups. CIC is located at 445 N 6th Avenue in Scranton.

According to Tara Finnerty, CIC Executive Director, as of May 2014, CIC supports 18 housing placements. Four of these placements are justice-involved individuals with mental illness, and approximately 12 others are justice involved.

For more information, see http://communityinterventioncenter.org/.

Employment Opportunity & Training Center

The Employment Opportunity & Training Center (EOTC) provides a variety of vocational and related services for Lackawanna County. Workforce development services include a job search group, resume and interview preparation, and career advising and coaching. Through its court-related programs, EOTC supports employment services and life skills training (including alcohol and drug programming) for approximately 50-60 non-incarcerated male offenders. EOTC also provides individual case management, job coaching, and a variety of resources in collaboration with Adult Drug Court and Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole Office, and operates a Transition Support Group for participants in the Reentry Court (see Intercept III, pg.

http://www.nhsonline.org/

http://www.namipascranton.org/

http://communityinterventioncenter.org/


30

21). In 2011, EOTC started a weekly support group for court-involved women. EOTC also supports a weekly support group for justice-involved women.

For more information, see http://www.eotcworks.org/.

The Advocacy Alliance

The Advocacy Alliance provides advocacy and services for individuals with mental illness in Lackawanna County. Among other services, the Advocacy Alliance supports adult, child, and family mental health advocacy; community developmental disability services; community mental health services, including support groups, peer support, a Community Support Program, and Recovery Center; Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); consumer and family satisfaction teams; consumer financial management services; and the Mental Health WARM LINE. The Advocacy Alliance also supports informal peer in-reach into the Lackawanna County Prison.

For more information, see http://theadvocacyalliance.org/.

A Better Today, Inc.

A Better Today, Inc. (ABT) provides outpatient drug and alcohol services including; evaluations, individual sessions, outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization groups. A Better Today, Inc. has a twenty-five year history of out-patient substance abuse treatment programs dating back to its inception in 1988 with the opening of the Lackawanna County Office in Scranton, Penna. In the past ten years, A Better Today, Inc has become a specialist in forensic treatment and a major facilitator of forensic programs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

ABT accepts all insurances and funding sources both public and private, and we work with clients to arrange fair payments programs for those who do not qualify for other forms of funding. A Better Today’s Scranton office is located at 1339 North Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508. Information can be obtained or appointments can be made by calling 570-344-1444.

Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton provides a variety of counseling, substance use, and housing services for Lackawanna County. Among other services, Catholic Social Services supports adult and family counseling services, employee assistance, and a monthly legal clinic; a Drug and Alcohol Treatment program, Multiple Offender program, pre- and post-trial services, and urinalysis services; and housing counseling, supportive housing and shelters, and veteran housing.

For more information, see http://cssdioceseofscranton.org/.

Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Goodwill Industries of NEPA provides a variety of employment and housing services for Lackawanna County. Goodwill Industries of NEPA supports competitive community employment and placement services, adult daycare services, and group homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Goodwill Industries of NEPA also supports a Mental Health Court Liaison position to work with the Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court (see Intercept III, pg. 20).

http://www.eotcworks.org/

http://theadvocacyalliance.org/

http://cssdioceseofscranton.org/


31

For more information, see http://goodwillnepa.org/.

Step-by-Step

Step-by-Step, Inc., provides a variety of housing services in Lackawanna County. Step-by-Step supports a co-occurring housing facility with six single-occupancy furnished apartments, as well as three double-occupancy furnished apartments specifically for individuals with mental health issues. Both of these facilities are staffed 24 per day, 7 days per week, and currently provide housing for participants in the Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court and Co-Occurring Court (see Intercept III, pg. 20).

For more information, see http://www.stepbystepusa.com/.

Clarks Summit State Hospital

Clarks Summit State Hospital is an extended acute care psychiatric hospital serving 11 counties in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, including Lackawanna County. Clarks Summit State Hospital is part of a continuum of care that provides individualized psychiatric treatment for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

Clarks Summit State Hospital accepts involuntary hospitalization transfers (“304s”) from Lackawanna County for intake and psychiatric stabilization. Once stabilized, these individuals are transitioned to less restrictive services as determined by criminal justice oversight. As of May 2014, Lackawanna County Prison reported having individuals undergoing inpatient treatment at Clarks Summit State Hospital.

For more information, see http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/statehospitals/clarkssummitstatehospital/index.htm.

http://goodwillnepa.org/

http://www.stepbystepusa.com/

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/statehospitals/clarkssummitstatehospital/index.htm


32

Identified Gaps

Zoning issues for housing

“Not in my backyard” mentality

Three public housing authorities in the county with a lot of Section 8 vouchers but

they are not involved in these discussions

Goodwill gets referrals from OVR but OVR can be a long process

Public transportation is pretty limited

Limited employment for criminal justice populations

Transportation issues limit employment opportunities

CJAB strategic plan is in draft form – Barbara will work with CJAB chair to get

discuss incorporating priorities and action plan into the strategic plan

Sometimes low family involvement for criminal justice population


If you work with the Public Housing Authority (PHA) and appeal the initial rejection,

they have been willing to work with agencies to get future approval

Parole agents have been very collaborative with Habit OPCO Dunmore Treatment

Center

State probation and parole really pushing for reentry job fairs in every district

State parole is making a lot of efforts on the front end of the system

Advocacy Alliance, Mental Health Courts, NHS, and SCC have peer support

specialists

SCC recently hired a forensic peer for the ACT team

Recovery Specialist from DATS has been a huge asset to D&A system – able to fill

in the gaps

Step by Step and Allied Services work with treatment courts to place defendants in

housing

Goodwill has several contacts of employers in the area that will take criminal

involved individuals

Commonwealth Medical College is a great resource on the substance abuse side –

medical internship with Habit OPCO – resource for SA and MH screening - really

open to working with community SA and MH providers

Act 105: The county has one Marcellus Shale well and thus eligible for some

housing funding from Pennsylvania Health Financing Agency

Act 137 funding available

Allied Services, Catholic Services, and Step by Step also provides supportive

housing

BH/ID/EI Program uses a template for strategic planning that could be shared with

the group (See Appendix D, pg. 56)


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Lackawanna County Priorities

Subsequent to the completion of the Cross-Systems Mapping exercise, the assembled stakeholders began to define specific areas of activity that could be mobilized to address the gaps and opportunities identified in the group discussion about the cross-systems map. Listed below are the priority areas identified by the workshop participants and the votes received for each proposed priority. Each participant is given three votes, two regular and one high priority. A high priority votes represents what they consider to be the most imporatnt priority to address.

Top Priorities

1. Housing (14 High Priority/19 Total Votes)

2. Expansion of MH and SA screening, assessment, brief interventions (3 HP/ 11 TV)

3. Develop pretrial services with attention to BH populations (3 HP/ 9 TV)

a. Early identification

b. Propose community alternative

4. Expand detox options (2 HP/ 9 TV)

5. Expand employment options (1 HP/ 9 TV)

6. Sustain and expand CIT (2HP/ 6 TV)

7. Create a database of community resources for criminal justice populations (0HP/ 6 TV)

8. Address silos across MH, SA, and ID services (1HP/ 5 TV)

9. Identify consistent outcomes and methods for tracking (2 HP/ 4 TV)

a. To support sustainability

10. Ensure continuity of care for medication and aftercare treatment for MH and D&A (1 HP/ 4 TV)

a. Support and sustain reentry task force

11. Collaborate with community hospitals for admission and treatment access (1 HP/ 3 TV)

12. Expand peer support across intercepts (1 HP/ 2 TV)

13. More collaboration with MDJs (0 HP/ 2 TV)

14a (tie). Education regarding MH, co-occurring disorders, and recovery (0 HP/ 1 TV)

14b (tie). Cognitive behavioral restructuring regarding effects of institutionalization (0 HP/ 1 TV)

14c (tie). Expand after-hours crisis services (0 HP/ 1 TV)

14d (tie). Engage and outreach to LE (0 HP/ 1 TV)

15a (tie). Include Public Defender in discussion (0 HP/ 0 TV)

15b (tie). Expand network of clinical services (0 HP/ 0 TV)


34

Lackawanna County Action Plan

Priority: Moving Forward

Objective Action Step Who When

1 Draft report of

Cross-System

Mapping (CSM)

workshop

1. Draft report

2. Review report

3. Finalize report

1. COE staff

2. Steering Committee, CSM

workshop participants

3. COE staff with feedback

from CSM workshop

participants

1. By May 30,

2014

2. Once receive

report

3. Over Summer

2014

2 Discuss CSM

report within

CJAB

1. Distribute CSM

report to CJAB

2. Review and discuss

CSM report

3. Incorporate into

Strategic Plan

1. Barb Durkin will send out to

CJAB members

2. CJAB

3. CJAB

1. Once receives

report

2. Summer 2014

meeting

3. Following

Summer 2014

meeting

3 Bring other

stakeholders to

table

1. Involve law

enforcement, DA’s

office, PD’s office,

Sheriff’s office,

CAO, OVR, Career

Link, EOTC, MDJs,

local hospital

administration, VJO

specialist,

Commissioners, area

transportation,

Mainstream Housing,

employers, Wood

Foundation, Sheetz

2. Invited through CJAB

1. Barb Durkin will

communicate with CJAB

2. Judge Geroulo will invite

4 Re-Entry Task

Force to take

lead, under

umbrella of

CJAB

Update and enhance Re-

Entry Strategy Plan

based on CSM report

Monthly meetings


35

Priority Area 1: Housing (14 High Priority/19 Total Votes)

Work Group: Bill McCarthy (Chief Probation Officer, LCAPP), Mike Hanley (UNC), Bridget Haggerty

(Catholic Social Services)


1 Involve Bill McCarthy from

LCAPP

Communicate priority and

action plan with Bill McCarthy

(LCAPP)

Len Bogart

2 Collect inventory of current

housing options

3 Establish a dialogue with

Public Housing Authority

and mainstream resources

4 Investigate and pursue

funding opportunities

1. Fair Housing Act

2. Act 105 (PHFA, Marcellus

Shale money)

3. Act 137 (Housing Trust

Fund)

5 Explore “Set Asides” in

housing development

6 Utilize Disability Rights

Network as resource on Fair

Housing Act

Karen Pasqualicchio (DRN) as

contact

7 Set next meeting Friday,

5/21, at

3pm

Priority Area 2: Expansion of MH/SA Screening, Assessment, Brief Interventions (3/11)

Work Group: Kevin McLaughlin (DATS), Colleen Phillips (MHC), Kerry Browning (DHS and LCRTF

Evidence Based Practice workgroup chair), Douglas Alberton (CRC), Carl Mosier (Advocacy Alliance),

Sal Santoli (SCC), Dennis Russo (SCC), Kerry Bentler (Mental Health Court); designee from Office of

the District Attorney, Sheriff’s Office, and Processing Center


1 Start with Processing

Center

2 Look at established 1. Screening, Brief

Intervention and Referral to

1. Kevin M. has done

training


36

screening measures Treatment (SBIRT)

2. Brief Jail Mental Health

Screen (BJMHS)

2. COE will provide

more resources

3 Start incorporating CJ

decision makers

Include DA’s office, PD’s

Office, Sheriff’s Office

4 Combine LCRTF

workgroups on MH/DA

and Evidence Based

Practice

Meeting in

June 2014

5 Set next meeting

Priority Area 3: Develop Pretrial services with attention to behavioral health populations (3/9)

Work Group: Len Bogart (LCP), Robert McMillan (LCP), Colleen Orzel (LCP), Barb Durkin

(Treatment Court), Stacey Little (NHS), Kevin Gownley (Probation); designee from DHS, Office of the

Public Defender, and Officer of District Attorney


1 Focus on early

identification of individuals

with mental health and drug

and alcohol issues entering

justice system

2 Develop and propose

community alternatives

3 Increase collaboration with

MDJs

4 Build from state and

national interest

1. Build on interest from

Secretary Wetzel of PA

DOC

2. “Healthcare Not Handcuffs”

initiative

3. PA Pretrial Association

4. National Criminal Justice

Association webinar

5. National pretrial association

5 Set next meeting May 28 at

1pm, LCJ

conference

room


37

Priority Area 4: Expand detox options (2/9)

Work Group: Jon Wasp (CRC), Rene Esgro (ODAP), Mark Schor (First Hospital), Barb Durkin

(Treatment Court)


1 Define “detox” and expand

on current resources

1. Investigate expanding CRC

methadone maintenance to

detoxification

2. Investigate other medication

options for detox in existing

settings

3. Explore opportunities

expanding current resources

1. Jon W. (CRC)

2 Explore funding for

continuing prior resources

and developing new detox

options

1. Barb D. in conversation with

local MD and manufacturer

– will follow up and then set

meeting

2. Investigate how to fund

services

3. Federal Prison System use of

assisted medication upon

reentry

4. Muncy Pilot Reentry use of

assisted medication upon

release

5. Wilkes-Barre Hospital

resources

6. Expanding of Choices

Program (doubling capacity

by Oct/Nov)

1. Barb D.

3 Explore outpatient detox

options

1. CRC system of care

2. Other providers

4 Address people going to

hospital ERs

Training for drug and alcohol

pre-certification

5 Utilize Crisis Response

Center for DA and MH

6 Moving forward 1. Follow up with MD and

manufacturer and set up

meeting

2. Continue discussions with

justice system

representatives

1. Barb D.

2. Mark S.


38

Priority Area 5: Expand Employment Options (1/9)

Work Group: Jeff Gummoe (Goodwill), Angela Seibert (EOTC and LCRTF Housing workgroup chair),

Colleen Orzel (LCP), Tara Finnerty (CIC), LCRTF Housing workgroup members


1 Develop conversations with

Office of Vocational

Rehabilitation

1. Discuss length of time to

receive evaluation and

access to services

2. Place in context of

Treatment Courts

Judge Geroulo

2 Explore and develop

employment options for

justice-involved individuals

1. Build on Goodwill’s

relationships with employer

resources

2. Explore Catholic Social

Services and Allied Services

opportunities

3. JCP, Path Stone, etc. have

list of options

4. Address OVR being sole

source of funding for

Goodwill; Strategies to

expand?

5. Christine Davis (Career

Link) works with local

employers and has interest in

ex-offenders

3 Train justice-involved

individuals to be work

ready

1. Work ready (Job coach, peer

support)

2. Financial literacy training

(Consumer Credit

Counseling Agency,

FLAME program)

3. EOTC and Pathstones as

resources

4 Develop money

management skills

1. Financial Literacy training

2. Consumer Credit Agencies

3. Counseling before leaving

jail

4. Peer support

5 Develop transportation

services to support

expanded employment

options


39

6 Educate employers about

opportunities of hiring

justice-involved individuals

1. Tax credits

2. Bonding

3. Regular drug testing

7 Review court fines and

costs (collateral

consequences) in context of

individuals’ ability to pay

8 Set next meeting Friday,

5/21, at

2pm

Priority Area 6: Expand and sustain CIT (incorporating Priority Area 14d)


1 Discuss at next CJAB

meeting

1. Bring up CIT at next CJAB

meeting

2. Make CIT part of CJAB

3. Steering Group to talk with

Jen McConnell (PCCD)

first

Jen McConnell

(PCCD)

CJAB

Summer

2014

meeting

2 Reinstate regular planning

meetings

1. Update meetings

established in by-laws

2. Set up a next meeting

3 Bring in officers already

trained in CIT

4 Bring police chiefs back on

board

1. Discuss with Judge

Geroulo, DA’s Office,

Mayor of Scranton

5 Explore funding to support

efforts

6 Look at number of trained

officers for each law

enforcement jurisdiction

7 Have another Introduction to

CIT presentation for

stakeholders and community

1. Include graduates, Chiefs of

Police, media

2. COE will provide resources

1. CIT board


40

on autism, PA Chiefs of

Police, annual CIT

conference, etc.

2. COE staff

8 Investigate whether County

BH office could support

some of the administrative

functions

9 Investigate involvement in

PCCD supported state study

on CIT

Priority Area: Data group (incorporating Priority Areas 7 and 9)

Work Group: Bill Browning (DHS), Doug Alberton (CRC), Barb Durkin (Treatment Court), Joanne

Lombardo Loughney (BH/ID/EI)


1 Identify outcomes

2 Measure outcomes

3 Develop databases of

resources

1. Community resources

2. Typing outcomes to success

4 Set meeting Bill B.’s office to contact

group and set up meeting

Priority Area 10: Ensure continuity of care for medication and aftercare treatment for MH and DA in

Intercept 4 (incorporating Priority Area 14b)


1 Support and sustain Re-

Entry Task Force

2 Address effects of

institutionalization on

individuals in CJ system

1. Cognitive-behavioral

restructuring regarding

effects of

institutionalization

2. Explore programming

inside jail (Stepping Up,

daily living skills)

3. “Back on Track” for parole


41

violators

4. EOTC programming

5. Explore for community

providers

6. Include programming for

individuals ages 18-25

years

7. Explore established

resources: SPECTRM,

GAINS webinar, Interactive

Journaling

COE will provide

information

Priority Area 11: Collaboration with community hospitals for admission and treatment access


1 Presentation to MHC judges

by state hospital

Monica Bradbury

(CHHS) and Jeremy Yale

(BH/ID/EI)

2 Talk to judges regarding

community hospitals

Dennis Russo (SCC)

3 Address long wait for

commitments to get a

forensic bed

Investigate sources of

information and resources with

community services

Jeremy Yale (BH/ID/EI)

to raise with BH/DA

administration;

Karen Pasqualicchio

(DRN) to raise with

Disability Rights

Network

4 Establish communication

with community hospitals


42

Conclusion

Participants in the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop showed much enthusiasm in working together to improve the continuum of resources available for people with severe mental illness and often co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the Lackawanna County criminal justice system. Lackawanna County is poised to tackle a number of critical issues that will greatly improve services for this group. The assembled stakeholders spent time gaining a greater understanding of their shared systems, as well as crafting strategies related to improving the collaborative infrastructure for the group and addressing the gaps and opportunities at each intercept.

Considerable work has already been undertaken to improve services for people with severe mental illness and often co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the Lackawanna County criminal justice system. Crisis Intervention Team training for law enforcement, a number of specialty court dockets, in-jail treatment programs, and specialty probation and parole supervision are some examples of current Lackawanna County initiatives. The county has made reentry a top priority with the establishment of the Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force (see Appendix D, pg. 58) and second annual Lackawanna County Reentry Symposium. Lackawanna County has also developed some thoughtful data to begin to provide a clearer understanding of the issues being discussed. In addition, introducing Mental Health First Aid, continuing Crisis Intervention Team Training, and expanding housing and treatment options are promising community efforts that generated a good deal of interest during the workshop. Local stakeholders participating in the Cross-Systems Mapping were clearly interested in building on current successes to better serve this population.

The expansion of the planning group to tackle the priorities established during the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop is an essential next step in a true systems change process. It will be important to create effective working relationships with other groups that did not attend the workshop, including local chiefs of police, the Offices of the District Attorney and Public Defender, the Department of Veterans Affairs, local hospital administrators, local Magisterial District Judges, the Social Security Administration, the County Assistance Office, and other local service providers. Regular meetings should be held by this larger group to facilitate information sharing, planning, networking, development and coordination of resources, and problem solving.

Closing

Lackawanna County is fortunate to have a wide range of stakeholders across the mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice systems that have made significant efforts to understand and support the challenging issues discussed in this workshop. The Cross-Systems Mapping workshop gave these stakeholders a chance to develop a coordinated strategy to move forward with the identified priorities.

By reconvening and supporting the work of the group in coming months, it will be possible to maintain the momentum created during the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop and build on the creativity and drive of key local stakeholders. The Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence hopes to continue its relationship with Lackawanna County and to observe its progress. Please visit the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence website for more information, www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/


43

Appendix A: Participant List

Last Name,

First Name Agency / Title

Street Address

City, State, Zip Phone E-Mail

Alberton, Douglas

Habit OPCO - CRC Health

Group, Clinic Director -CTC

Division

118 Monahan Ave.,

Dunmore PA 18512

(570) 344-0183

x2704 [email protected]

Barden, Maureen

Project Fellow,

Pennsylvania Health Law

Project

123 Chestnut Street -

Suite 400

Philadelphia PA

19106

(215) 287-4238 [email protected]

Barrassee, Michael

Lackawanna County Court of

Common Pleas, Judge -

Treatment Court

200 North

Washington Ave.,

Scranton PA 18503


Bentler, Kerry

Mental Health Treatment

Court, Certified Peer

Specialist, CIT Trained, and

MH Advocate

219 Putnam St.,

Scranton PA 18508 (570) 677-2001 [email protected]

Bogart, Leonard Lackawanna County Prison,

Administrative Officer

1371 North

Washington Ave.,

Scranton PA 18509

(570) 963-6639

x4522

bogartl@lackawannacounty.

org

Bollick, Candy

A Better Today, Clinical

Supervisor

1339 North Main

Ave., Scranton PA

18508

(570) 344-1444

[email protected]









44

Last Name,


Street Address


Bradbury, Monica

Clarks Summit State Hospital

(CSSH),

Chief Executive Officer

1451 Hillside Drive,

Clarks Summit PA

18411


Browning, Kerry

Lackawanna County DHS-

Office of Youth and Family

Services,

Court & Community Services

Director

200 Adams Ave., 4th

Floor, Scranton PA

18503

(570) 963-6781 kimmickk@lackawannacoun

ty.org

Browning, William

Lackawanna County

Department of Human

Services,

Executive Director

200 Adams Ave., 4th

Floor, Scranton PA

18503

(570) 963-6781 browningw@lackawannacou

nty.org

Buck, Bill

The Advocacy Alliance,

Mental Health Advocate

846 Jefferson Ave.,


Durkin, Barb

Lackawanna County

Treatment Court,

Treatment Court Coordinator

130 North

Washington Ave.,

2nd Floor Brixx

Building, Scranton

PA 18503

(570) 496-1736


Esgro, Rene

Lackawanna-Susquehanna

Office of Drug and Alcohol

Programs,

Case Management Supervisor

507 Linden St., 5th

Floor, Scranton PA

18503

(570) 963-6820

[email protected]

rg











45

Last Name,


Street Address


Finnerty, Tara

Community Intervention

Center,

Executive Director

445 6th Ave.,


Gallagher, Jim NBHCC, CEO

72 Glenmaura

National Blvd., 2nd

floor, Moosic, PA

18507


Gummoe, Jeff

Goodwill Industries of NEPA,

MH Court

Liaison (Job Coach)

925 Prospect Ave.,

Scranton PA 18505

(570) 343-1166


Haggerty, Bridget Catholic Social Services (570) 207-2283


Hanley, Mike

United Neighborhood Centers

(UNC),

Executive Director

425 Alder St.,


Kolcharno, Maria Marworth,

Director of Admissions

PO Box 36, Lily

Lake Rd., Waverly,

PA 18471-7736

(800) 442-7722

(570) 563-1112

x316

[email protected]

Little, Stacey

NHS of Northeastern PA,

Executive Director

30-32 North Main

St., Carbondale PA

18407

(570) 282-1732

x226

[email protected]









46

Last Name,


Street Address


Lombardo

Loughney, Joanne


BH/ID/EI Program, Quality

Management Coordinator

507 Linden St., 8th

Floor, Scranton PA

18503

(570) 346-5741 lombardoloughneyj@lsbhide

i.org

McLaughlin, Kevin

Drug & Alcohol Treatment

Services (DATS), Executive

Director

1st Floor Single Tax

Office, 441

Wyoming Ave.,

Scranton PA 18503


om

McMillan, Robert Lackawanna County Prison,

Warden

1371 North

Washington Ave.,

Scranton PA 18509

(570) 963-6639

x4524

McMillanR@lackawannaco

unty.org

Mosier, Carl

The Advocacy Alliance,

CSP Co-Chair & Peer

Specialist/Community

Services Specialist

1904 Price St., Rear,

Scranton PA

18504/846 Jefferson

Ave., PO Box 1368,

Scranton PA 18501

(570) 961-0785

(570) 342-7762

[email protected]

g

Newcomer,

HelenMae

Scranton Counseling Center &

NAMI Board Member, Family

Member and School Based

Program

326 Adams Ave.,


Nocilla, Stephen

Catholic Social Services of

Lackawanna County,

Diocesan Director of Housing

& Residential Services

516 Fig St., Scranton

PA 18505

(570) 207-2283


O’Connell, Sandy

Step By Step, MH Court and

Co-Occurring Court

Liaison/Assistant Service

Director

312 North Blakely

St., Dunmore PA

18509/744 Kidder

St., Wilkes Barre PA

18702

(570) 341-9114

[email protected]

m














47

Last Name,


Street Address


Onukiavage, Marie NAMI PA Scranton Area

Chapter, Executive Director

846 Jefferson Ave.,


Orzel, Colleen Lackawanna County Prison,

Re-entry Manager

1371 North

Washington Ave.,

Scranton PA 18509


rg

Pasqualicchio,

Karen

Disability Rights Network of

PA (DRN),

Community Advocate,

Northeast

1414 North Cameron

St., Suite C,

Harrisburg PA

17103

(800) 692-7443


Petherick, Kelly First Hospital,

Director of OP Services

562 Wyoming Ave.,

Kingston PA 18704 (570) 552-3975

Phillips, Colleen

Mental Health Treatment

Court,

MH Court Coordinator

130 North

Washington Ave.,

2nd Floor, Brixx

Building, Scranton

PA 18503

(570) 496-1736 phillipsc@lackawannacount

y.org

Russo, Dennis Scranton Counseling Center,

Director of Forensic Services

326 Adams Ave.,


Santoli, Sal

Scranton Counseling Center,

Chief Operating Officer

326 Adams Ave.,

Scranton PA 18503

(570) 348-6100

x3201

[email protected]










48

Last Name,


Street Address


Simpson, Kristen

Scranton Counseling Center,

Service Director-SCC/Board

of Directors-Scranton Area

CIT

326 Adams Ave.,

Scranton PA 18503

(570) 348-6100

X3205

Kristen.Simpson@scrantons

cc.org

Walsh, Maureen

Allied Services - Harbor

House,

Director of MH Services

108 Eliza St.,


Wasp, Jonathon

Habit OPCO - CRC Health

Group,

Regional Director, CTC

Division

118 Monahan Ave.,

Dunmore PA 18512

(570) 344-0183


Wydeen, Tina CCBHO,

Regional Director

72 Glenmaura

National Blvd., 2nd

Floor, Moosic PA

18507


Yale, Jeremy


BH/ID/EI Program,

Acting Administrator

507 Linden St., 8th

Floor, Scranton PA

18503


Center of Excellence (CoE) and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Staff

Dr. Patricia Griffin Lead Consultant, Center of

Excellence

8503 Flourtown

Ave.

Wyndmoor, PA

19038

215 836-0570 [email protected]

Casey LaDuke

Research Assistance, PA

Mental Health and Justice

Center of Excellence

3141 Chestnut St

Philadelphia, PA

19104

215-553-7174 [email protected]










49

Last Name,


Street Address


Katy Winckworth-

Prejsnar

Project Coordinator, Center of

Excellence

3141 Chestnut St

Philadelphia, PA

19104

215-553-7174 [email protected]

Jennifer McConnell

Criminal Justice Advisory

Board Specialist, Pennsylvania

Commission on Crime and

Delinquency (PCCD)

570-753-2659

[email protected]




50

Appendix B: Lackawanna Cross Systems Mapping: Follow-Up Resources

I. Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP)

PHLP is a nationally recognized expert and consultant on access to health care for low-

income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. For more than two decades,

PHLP has engaged in direct advocacy on behalf of individual consumers while working on

the kinds of health policy changes that promise the most to the Pennsylvanians in greatest

need.

PHLP also has a project fellow who is working with county jails and other correctional

systems to help them enroll incarcerated people in health care coverage before they leave

custody. The goal is to facilitate a seamless transition from medical care during incarceration

to medical care in the community. Some individuals qualify now for Medicaid or subsidized

insurance purchased through the marketplace; once Medicaid is expanded in Pennsylvania,

forecast for January 2015, many more people will qualify. To begin the process of making

access to health care coverage an integral part of reentry planning, contact Maureen

Barden, [email protected] or go to http://www.phlp.org/.

II. SAMHSA’s Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

SBIRT is an evidence-based approach to identifying persons who use alcohol and other drugs at risky

levels with the goal of reducing and preventing related health consequences, disease, accidents and

injuries. Risky substance use is a health issue and often goes undetected.

SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach that provides opportunities for early

intervention before more severe consequences occur. Evidence-based tools that are demonstrated to

be valid and reliable in identifying individuals with problem use or at risk for a Substance Use

Disorder (SUD) must be used. Based on implementation of this model nationally, of 459,599 patients

screened, 22.7 percent screened positive for a spectrum of use (risky/problematic, abuse/addiction).

Of those who screened positive 15.9 percent were recommended for a brief intervention with a

smaller percentage recommended for brief treatment (3.2 percent) or referral to specialty treatment

(3.7 percent). More information is available at: http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-

practice/sbirt

For additional information on core elements of the SBIRT and services implementation challenges,

barriers, cost, and sustainability, please go to: http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA13-

4741?WT.ac=EB_20130603_SMA13-4741

III. Brief Jail Mental Health Screen

The effective quick, simple, and FREE Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS) is a powerful

booking tool to screen incoming detainees in jails and detention centers for the need for further

mental health assessment. Developed by Policy Research Associates, with funding from the National

Institute of Justice, the BJMHS was validated in a study that included 10,330 detainees from four

jails, two in New York and two in Maryland. 73% of males and 62% of females were correctly


http://www.phlp.org/

http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/sbirt

http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/sbirt

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA13-4741?WT.ac=EB_20130603_SMA13-4741

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA13-4741?WT.ac=EB_20130603_SMA13-4741


51

identified as having a severe mental illness, making the BJMHS a strong, available solution to

identify the further need for mental health evaluation for incoming detainees.

Available to download at: http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/topical_resources/bjmhs.asp

IV. SAMHSA’s GAINS Center Webinar: “Reducing Criminal Recidivism for Justice-Involved

Persons with Mental Illness: Risk/Needs/Responsivity and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions"

Presented by Dr. Merrill Rotter of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and NYC TASC and Eric

Olson of the Bonneville County, Idaho Mental Health Court

To complement the "Reducing Criminal Recidivism for Justice-Involved Persons with Mental Illness:

Risk/Needs/Responsivity and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions" brief

(http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/cms-assets/documents/141805-776469.cbt-fact-sheet---merrill-

rotter.pdf) written by Dr. Merrill Rotter and released on the GAINS Center website in early December

2013, Dr. Rotter of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and NYC TASC and Eric Olson of the

Bonneville County, ID Mental Health Court held a webinar on the brief and shared their knowledge

on what the research says and how to apply cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in real world settings.

For the recording and PowerPoint slides, as well as other webinars on evidence-based practices for

justice-involved person with mental illness please go to:

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/topical_resources/ebps.asp

V. SAMHSA’s GAINS Center: Sensitizing Providers to the Effects of Correctional Incarceration

on Treatment and Risk Management (SPECTRM)

Discussed during the webinar above, Sensitizing Providers to the Effects of Correctional

Incarceration on Treatment and Risk Management (SPECTRM) targets provider training with a

defined modality of rehabilitation to expand the willingness and ability of clinicians to help

individuals with mental health issues reach their recovery goals. This brief covers the history of

SPECTRM, features of the program, inmate code and how staff interpret these behaviors as resistance

in the therapeutic setting, and concluding remarks.

More information available at: http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/pdfs/reentry/Spectrum.pdf

VI. The Change Companies: Interactive Journaling

Also discussed in the webinar above, Interactive Journaling is a goal-directed, client-centered model

that aims to reduce substance abuse and substance-related behaviors, such as criminal recidivism, by

guiding adults and youth with substance use disorders through a process of written self-reflection.

The model is based on structured and expressive writing techniques, principles of motivational

interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and the integration of the transtheoretical model of

behavior change. The approach helps participants modify their behavior as they progress through the

stages of change that underlie the transtheoretical model: (1) precontemplation (not intending to

begin the change in behavior in the next 6 months), (2) contemplation (intending to begin the change

in behavior in the next 6 months), (3) preparation (intending to begin the change in behavior in the

next 30 days), (4) action (practicing the behavior for less than 6 months), and (5) maintenance

(practicing the behavior for at least 6 months). A variety of journals are available including those

who focus on offenders with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and entering the community

from incarceration. One series of journals focuses on veterans.

For more information please go to: https://www.changecompanies.net/ij.php and

http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=333

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/topical_resources/bjmhs.asp

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/cms-assets/documents/141805-776469.cbt-fact-sheet---merrill-rotter.pdf

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/cms-assets/documents/141805-776469.cbt-fact-sheet---merrill-rotter.pdf

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/topical_resources/ebps.asp

http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/pdfs/reentry/Spectrum.pdf

https://www.changecompanies.net/ij.php

http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=333


52

Staff at both the Queens (New York City) and the San Luis Obispo (California) problem solving

courts are using Interactive Journaling on both a group and individual basis with participants across

mental health, drug, and other specialty courts. They are enthusiastic about the journaling and note

they are also able to use the journaling in jail where program space is limited.

VII. Healthcare not Handcuffs: Putting the Affordable Care Act to Work for Criminal Justice and

Drug Policy Reform

Written by Chloe Cockburn, Daliah Heller, and Gabriel Sayegh

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sets the stage for a new health-oriented policy framework to address

substance use and mental health disorders. By dramatically expanding and funding healthcare

coverage to millions of currently uninsured people, the ACA represents a remarkable opportunity for

criminal justice and drug policy reform advocates to advance efforts for policies promoting safe and

healthy communities, without excessive reliance on the criminal justice solutions that have become so

prevalent under the War on Drugs.

Available to download at:

https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/healthcare_not_handcuffs_12172013.pdf

VIII. National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) Webinar: “The Evidence Behind Pretrial:

Enhancing the Use of Data-Driven Decision-Making”

High-level discussion with leading experts on what research says about pretrial detention, risk

assessment, and the impact of decision-making on public safety, fairness, and cost-effectiveness. In

addition, attendees heard from two pretrial service agencies with experience implementing and using

risk assessments to make data-driven decisions related to pretrial release and supervision.

Pretrial detainees account for more than 60 percent of the inmate population in our nation’s jails. The

cost to detain defendants pretrial has been estimated at over $9 billion per year. Recent studies show

that there are challenges in the current system regarding who should be detained and who should be

released pretrial. Many jurisdictions release a large percentage of high-risk defendants, while

detaining many low-risk defendants.

Presenters:

Anne Milgram, Vice President of Criminal Justice, Laura and John Arnold Foundation

Chris Lowenkamp, Lecturer, University of Missouri - Kansas City

Tara Boh Klute, Chief Operating Officer, Pretrial Services - Kentucky Administrative Office

of the Courts

Holly Szablewski, Judicial Review Coordinator - Milwaukee County

For the recording and PowerPoint slides please go to: http://www.ncja.org/webinars-events/pretrial-

webinars#sthash.M489svEs.dpuf

IX. Encountering People with Autism: A First Responders’ Training

This short (approximately 20 minute) video provides first responders with practical information for

recognizing the presence of autism as well as the behavioral implications and ideas for managing the

encounter. The video was produced by M. Bartley and F. Caloiero for the Allegheny County District

Attorney’s Association.

To watch the video please go to: http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/documents/autism.mp4

https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/healthcare_not_handcuffs_12172013.pdf

http://www.ncja.org/webinars-events/pretrial-webinars#sthash.M489svEs.dpuf

http://www.ncja.org/webinars-events/pretrial-webinars#sthash.M489svEs.dpuf

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/documents/autism.mp4


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X. SAMHSA’s Grant Initiative on Behavioral Health Treatment Court Collaboratives

SAMHSA has twice offered a grant opportunity targeted specifically to jurisdictions with multiple

treatment courts/diversion efforts. While the most recent grant opportunity is closed, the thinking

underlying this initiative suggests a productive approach to integrating community treatment

resources while expanding the reach and efficacy of multiple treatment courts/diversion efforts at a

local level.

Description of the 2014 RFP, which closed in April.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance

Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) are accepting applications

for fiscal year (FY) 2014 grants to Develop and Expand Behavioral Health Treatment Court

Collaboratives (BHTCC). The purpose of this program is to allow local courts more flexibility to

collaborate with multiple criminal justice system components and local community treatment and

recovery providers to address the behavioral health needs of adults who are involved with the

criminal justice system and provide the opportunity to divert them from the criminal justice system.

The collaborative will allow eligible individuals to receive treatment and recovery support services as

part of a court collaborative. This program will focus on connecting with individuals early in their

involvement with the criminal justice system and prioritize the participation of municipal and

misdemeanor courts in the collaborative.

SAMHSA’s vision of BHTCC in the justice system is one that supports treatment and recovery

support for people with behavioral health conditions and that improves public health and public

safety. Many communities have specialized court programs that serve one subset or another of

behavioral health conditions. There are an estimated 2400 drug courts, 300 mental health courts, and

100 veterans treatment courts operating in the United States that engage individuals with various

behavioral health conditions. Some of these courts serve people with co-occurring disorders while

others do not. Drug courts have standardized guidelines and in some states, required protocols and

sanctions. Mental health courts on the other hand, are unique and sanctions are applied more flexibly.

Recognizing that different approaches work best with different populations, a collaborative,

coordinated system is necessary to ensure people with behavioral health needs involved in the justice

system are identified and best served.

SAMHSA recognizes that individuals with behavioral health conditions (e.g., serious mental illnesses

(SMI), substance use and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders) who are involved with the

criminal justice system face many obstacles obtaining quality behavioral health services in the

community. Often, these disorders are first identified and addressed in justice settings where limited

resources are available to address them. The interface between justice systems and community

behavioral health care is often disjointed, allowing service gaps and fragmented care to disrupt the

individual’s transition from incarceration to the community and threatens their recovery.

SAMHSA believes that substance use and mental disorders should be seen in a larger behavioral

health context, and therefore seeks to promote transformation in service systems that will change how

individuals with behavioral health conditions are identified, screened, adjudicated, and referred for

treatment. These changes require significant infrastructure and service system change in which all

relevant services, essential to succeed in the community are addressed. As in all behavioral health

settings, services that include health, housing, employment, treatment and recovery support must be

consumer centered, recovery focused, evidence based and quality driven approaches.

The BHTCC grant program provides opportunities for courts to build collaborations with other


54

existing criminal courts, court diversion programs, and/or alternatives to incarceration programs in

order to facilitate the transformation of the State and local behavioral health delivery system. By

leveraging a spectrum of community-based services, the courts can facilitate the expansion and

enhancement of treatment and recovery support services for adults with behavioral health conditions.

The collaborative allows for the coordination of judicial activities and for screening, referral,

adjudication, monitoring and treatment of adults with behavioral health conditions. Services to

eligible adults with behavioral health conditions will be consumer centered, recovery oriented,

evidence-based, quality driven, and trauma informed. In alignment with the goals of SAMHSA’s

Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative, this grant program will help reduce the pervasive, harmful,

and costly health impact of violence and trauma by integrating trauma-informed approaches

throughout systems. The BHTCC seeks to address behavioral health disparities among racial and

ethnic minorities through this program by encouraging the implementation of strategies to decrease

the differences in access, service use, and outcomes among these subpopulations in this program.

The population of focus for BHTCC grantees are adults identified by the court or community as

having a behavioral health condition and who have been charged with a criminal offense and

transferred to a local criminal court for trial/adjudication of that offense, diverted from the justice

system through judicial screening, and/or sentenced to incarceration in jail or prison and returning to

the community under some form of judicial supervision.

The BHTCC program provides joint funding from CSAT and CMHS to allow collaborating courts to

address the behavioral health needs of individuals in the criminal justice or court continuum,

including those who are reentering society after being re-incarcerated and under post-incarceration

judicial supervision. By jointly funding grant awards, SAMHSA expects BHTCC grantees to reach a

wider population of court-involved adults with behavioral health conditions who need treatment and

recovery support services.


55

Appendix C: Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI Program Strategic Planning Template

Example Administrative Entity Quality Management Strategy_Office of Developmental Programs Academy Summer 2009 1

QM Plan Template

Administrative Entity Name: Focus Area: Example: System Performance/Level of Care

Goal Outcome Target Objective Performance Measures/Data Source(s)/

Frequency/Responsible Person What is a goal?

A goal is related to an organization’s purpose, mission, vision, or quality framework. Generally, a goal is written in broad, non-specific general terms. A goal is the “ideal” to be achieved. Example: Organizational performance is continuously measured, evaluated, and improved.

What is an outcome?

An outcome is a desired result, and can be person-centered, process or system-oriented. Example: The organization consistently uses the processes and instrument(s) specified in the Consolidated and P/FDS approved waivers for evaluating and reevaluating the levels of care of applicants and waiver participants.

What is a target objective?

A target objective states the level of performance an organization desires to achieve within a specified period of time. Example: For Consolidated and P/FDS Waiver participants, increase the number of level of care redeterminations completed within the expected timeframe of 365 days to 100% by December 31, 2010. Organizations consider baseline data and benchmarks when establishing target objectives.

What is a baseline?

A baseline is built by tracking an organization’s performance over time, generally at least one year, and provides an objective assessment of current level of performance.

What are performance measures?

Performance measures (also called performance indicators) are tools that “indicate” performance over time. Performance measures need to be operationally defined so data collection can be consistent across the system. Example: % of level of care redeterminations completed within the expected timeframe of 365 days Numerator: # of level of care redeterminations completed within the expected timeframe of 365 days Denominator: # of level of care redeterminations due in the period evaluated (e.g., month, quarter, year)

What is a data source?

A data source is stored data collected according to specific requirements that aim to ensure reliability and validity of the data. Data sources include logs, checklists, a person’s chart, formal databases, and surveys. Examples: HCSIS, HCSIS Data Warehouse, AE Oversight Monitoring Data, PROMISe™, IM4Q


56


QM Plan Template

Administrative Entity Name: Focus Area: Example: System Performance/Level of Care

Goal Outcome Target Objective Performance Measures/Data Source(s)/

Frequency/Responsible Person Example: By averaging 12 months of performance data, an AE may find that it completes only 86% of level of care redeterminations within the expected timeframe of 365 days. A baseline answers the question, “Where are we now”?

What is a benchmark?

A benchmark refers to the best or most desirable performance whether internal (e.g., best AE performance), or external (e.g., best performance of a similar organization, best performance expected by a regulatory body). Benchmarks are used to establish a level of performance the organization strives to achieve through quality management activities. A benchmark answers the question, “Where are we going”?

What is a sampling approach?

A sampling approach refers to the determination of the number of client records, incidents, cases, claims, etc. that will be reviewed within a specified time period. Examples: 100% review, 30 cases, 5% sample

Who is the responsible person?

The responsible person is the person ultimately responsible for managing or coordinating the activities that will lead to the achievement of the goal and desired outcome, including the periodic monitoring, analysis, and reporting of performance. A responsible person may be a manager, supervisor, committee chairperson, or team leaders. Example: Waiver Coordinator

What is meant by frequency?

Frequency refers to the cycle that will be used to report progress toward achieving goals and desired outcomes to a quality oversight group. A reporting calendar is often developed and shared within organizations to establish the frequency of reporting for leaders, managers, responsible parties, and staff. Examples: Monthly, quarterly, biannually, annually


57


Action Plan Template

Administrative Entity Name: Focus Area: System Performance/Level of Care

Desired Outcome: The organization consistently uses the processes and instrument(s) specified in the Consolidated and P/FDS approved

waivers for evaluating and reevaluating the levels of care of applicants and waiver participants.

Target Objective: For Consolidated and P/FDS Waiver participants, increase the number of level of care redeterminations completed within

the expected timeframe of 365 days to 100% by December 31, 2010.

Performance Measure(s): % of level of care redeterminations completed within the expected timeframe of 365 days

Numerator: # of level of care redeterminations completed within the expected timeframe of 365 days

Denominator: # of level of care redeterminations due in the period evaluated (e.g., month, quarter, year)

Data Source(s): HCSIS

Responsible Person: Waiver Coordinator

Action ItemResponsible

Person

Target

DateStatus

Completion

Date1. Retrain staff in expectations for record-keepingin participant files.

2. Retrain staff in expectations for data entry intorelated fields in HCSIS.

3. Collect data monthly to track number of level ofcare redeterminations completed of those

expected to be completed.

4. Report performance quarterly to quality

oversight group.

5.

6.


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Appendix D: Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force Five Year Strategic Plan 2012-2016

Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force

Five Year Strategic Plan

2012-2016


59

Table of Contents

Background………………………………………………………………………………………3

Perceptions on Recidivism……………………………………………………………………….3

Lackawanna County Reentry Planning Process………………………………………………….5

Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force (LCRTF)……………………………………………..6

Mission…………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Goals……………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Strategies…………………………………………………………………………………………8

Summary of Strategic Action Areas……………………………………………………………...9

Research and Evaluation…………………………………………………………………………11

Funding…………………………………………………………………………………………..11

Action Steps……………………………………………………………………………………...11

Implementation…………………………………………………………………………………..12

Appendix 1……………………………………………………………………………………….13

Expected Process Flow……………………………………………………………………13

Critical Success Factors…………………………………………………………………...13

Appendix 2……………………………………………………………………………………….14

Theory of Change…………………. ………………………………………………….….14

Appendix 3……………………………………………………………………………………….15

Logic Model………………………………………………………………………………15

Appendix 4……………………………………………………………………………………….19

Reentry Resources………………………………………………………………………...19


60

Background

In 2012, the Lackawanna County Prison embarked on a major examination of its inmate

population. This examination revealed that in 2007 and 2008, a total of 1,018 offenders serving

a county sentence were released from the prison. Within three years, a total of 545 or 54 percent

were re-incarcerated at the prison. Of the returnees, 457 or 83.9 percent were males and 88 or

16.1 percent were females.

The economic and social costs of this revolving door is staggering to Lackawanna County.

It costs approximately $53 per day or $19,345 annually to house an inmate at the prison.

This does not account for related administrative costs, the costs to crime victims, or the costs to

families and various social agencies. This growing burden on the community demands that

Lackawanna County review its current policies and practices in light of escalating costs, limited

resources, and emerging evidence-based strategies to reduce the rate of re-incarceration.

A sampling of 193 intake reports on offenders committed to the prison in March and April 2012

revealed that 77 percent reported a prior criminal history, 70 percent reported a history of

substance abuse, 42 percent reported a history of mental illness, 39 percent reported physical

health issues, and 250 minor children were impacted. Receptions in 2011 were 2,800. In 2013,

we are projecting 5,000. It is noteworthy that over the past 18 months, the prison’s county

inmate population has grown by 23.5 percent.

Offenders face numerous barriers and challenges upon release. Yet, the vast majority of

returning offenders are left to find and navigate services on their own. The local community’s

reentry framework is fragmented, with most entities operating in their traditional silos.

Without a continuum of planned services and supports, returning offenders struggle to secure

benefits, housing, jobs, counseling, case management, and other crucial resources.

Perceptions on Recidivism

Many challenges have been identified that may keep ex-offenders from successfully reentering

their communities and reconnecting with their families. A brief summary of challenges includes:

Education, Training, & Employment

o Low educational attainment/lack of high school diploma/GED

o Poor job readiness skills & attitudes

o Poor employment history

o Employers unwilling to hire individuals with a criminal record

o Transportation issues

o Lack of identification

o Lack of suitable clothing

Housing related

o Inability of returnees to be able to live with family


61

o Lack of affordable housing for individuals with limited income

o Lack of transitional housing for individuals who are not ready to live alone or

have no alternative housing

o Limited availability of beds for homeless

o Lack of housing for handicapped or pregnant inmates

o Proximity of affordable housing to employment settings

Substance abuse related

o Individuals revert to illicit drug use or alcohol upon release from prison

o Many returnees are unable/unwilling to pass drug tests to stay in a program or to

remain employed

o Substance abuse is a contributing factor in the majority of crimes in Lackawanna

County

o Limited capacity of existing programs to address drug and alcohol abuse

o Due to large caseloads and funding shortages, individuals in need of treatment

may be put on a waiting list

Family related

o Families experience interpersonal problems as they adjust to the return of the

family member

o Family relationships must be rebuilt/trust issues

o Families may be unprepared to understand and comprehend what the returnee

needs

o Interpersonal problems may lead to domestic violence

o Children may be adversely affected in multiple ways from the absence of the

family member while in prison and the return of the individual to the family/role

confusion

o Families may contribute to criminogenic attitudes and behaviors; offenders do not

benefit from returning to these families

o Crime and incarceration may be perceived as a rite of passage for some families

Finance related

o Returnees without jobs have limited financial resources to meet food, housing, or

family needs, etc.

o Returnees have unmet child support or other court-ordered financial obligations,

which may can cause them to enter a cycle where they cannot get ahead

financially

o Single males and non-custodial male parents have limited access to public

assistance

Mental health related


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o Nearly 42% of incarcerated individuals reported experiencing mental health

problems prior to incarceration and were unable to access appropriate/necessary

services

o Returnees with mental health issues may need additional help dealing with the

inevitable frustrations of returning to the community caused by family challenges,

a lack of job opportunities, and financial difficulties

o Due to large caseloads an funding shortages, individuals in need of treatment may

be put on a waiting list

o Lack of medication upon discharge from LCP (typically only given 3 day supply)

Legal issues

o Offenders may have additional outstanding warrants, revoked or suspended

driver’s license, outstanding court-ordered obligations, etc.

Health care

o Many offenders released from prison have health care needs, yet have no or

insufficient insurance

o Offenders in need of medication are released with a limited supply of medication

General support related

o Ex-offenders have few relationships with pro-social community members and

more ties to other ex-offenders perpetuating criminogenic attitudes

o Individuals who have not had positive role models may be unaware of what

acceptable behaviors include

o Need for community mentors

Transportation

o Availability of transportation

o Availability of transportation to work sites, necessary appointments (times of

scheduled transportation)

o Affordable transportation

Lackawanna County Reentry Planning Process

Given the magnitude and wide-ranging needs of the reentry population, it is essential to

coordinate and concentrate community efforts. Although there are many services in Lackawanna

County that can benefit offenders, there is not a coordinated way to access services, nor an

effective way to inform offenders of the service options.

In June 2012, Lackawanna County applied for and was subsequently awarded a grant through the

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help develop a comprehensive and

collaborative strategic re-entry plan that addresses criminogenic risks and needs in order to

promote public safety and reduce the rate of recidivism.

On October 17, 2012, the initial meeting of the Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force

(LCRTF) was held. Melanie Snyder, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Reentry


63

Management Organization and Scott Sheely, Executive Director of the Lancaster County

Workforce Investment Board, were retained as consultants to facilitate and oversee the reentry

planning process. Regular monthly meetings are held to obtain community-wide stakeholder

participation in learning about the state of reentry locally and to set strategic reentry planning

priorities for Lackawanna County.

As a result, Lackawanna County has become increasingly focused on the challenges of reentry

and has begun the process of building more effective and innovative responses to the challenges

presented by the release of offenders following a period of confinement.

The Lackawanna County Re-entry Task Force provides periodic updates of planning process

undertaken by the Task Force to the Lackawanna County Criminal Justice Advisory Board

(CJAB).

The LCRTF has:

Established a collaborative and diverse reentry planning task force consisting of

representatives from government, law enforcement, non-profit, and faith-based

organizations

Articulated a shared mission and vision for offender reentry

Developed a familiarity with evidence-based practice methods for reentry

Identified existing reentry practices, resources, and gaps in Lackawanna County

Established and prioritized goals and objectives to accomplish the mission

Defined a target population

Began development and implementation of a strategic plan

On April 17, 2013, LCRTF presented the Lackawanna County Reentry Symposium at the

University of Scranton. The focal point of the conference was difficulties inmates experience

transitioning back into society. The keynote speaker, Todd R. Clear, Ph.D., Dean of the School

of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, addressed the importance of having strong programs

for inmates re-entering society such as drug and alcohol treatment, educational programs, job

readiness, etc.

Two former inmates candidly shared their struggles with reentry and answered questions from

the community regarding their experiences. In closing, a “reentry expo” allowed local agencies

to disseminate information about available programming and resources available to returning

offenders. Approximately 125 attendees included local government, police, prison, and

probation officials, representatives of faith-based and non-profit organizations, and students.

Lackawanna County Reentry Task Force (LCRTF)


64

The membership of the LCRTF has evolved over the past 10 months. Members include:

Melanie Snyder, Executive Director of Lancaster County Reentry Management

Organization

Scott Sheely, Executive Director of Lancaster County Workforce Investment

Board

Robert McMillan, Warden of Lackawanna County Prison

Brian Jeffers, Director of Lackawanna County Community Corrections

Christina Oprishko, Administrative Officer at Lackawanna County Prison

Len Bogart, Administrative Officer at Lackawanna County Prison

Thomas Earley, Chief of Lackawanna County Adult Probation Office

Gerald Davis, Supervisor at Lackawanna County Adult Probation Office

Jane Augustine, Employment Opportunity & Training Center

Angela Seibert, Employment Opportunity & Training Center

Erica Hubert, Employment Opportunity & Training Center

Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Director of Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services

Bo Hoban, Deputy Director of The Advocacy Alliance

Jim Martin, Deputy Administrator of Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral

Health Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention Program

Steve Arnone, Administrator of Lackawanna-Susquehanna Behavioral Health

Intellectual Disabilities Early Intervention Program

Sr. Susan Hadzima, IHM, Director of Catherine McAuley Center

Mary Ann Iezzi, Executive Director of Dress for Success Lackawanna

Marie Onukiavage, Executive Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness

Jeffrey Zerechak, Administrator of Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug &

Alcohol Programs

Tony Kosydar, Deputy Administrator of Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of

Drug & Alcohol Programs

Collen Phillips, Lackawanna County Mental Health Court

Virginia Turano, Executive Director of Lackawanna County Workforce

Investment Board

Joe DiStasi, Program Supervisor at PA CareerLink of Lackawanna County

Phil Yevics, Voluteer with Catholic Ministry at Lackawanna County Prison

Jean Gayle, Director of the Horace Center/Fresh Start

Pam Oravec, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services

Jeff Gummoe, Employment Specialist at Goodwill Industires

Jonathon Wasp, Director of Pennsylvania Operations at Habit OPCO, Inc.

Kerry Browning, Supervisor at Lackawanna County Children & Youth

James Rutledge, Volunteer at Lackawanna County Prison

Anthony Pamelia, Volunteer at Lackawanna County Prison

Jennifer Kristyniak, Agent at PA Board of Probation & Parole

Dennis Russo, Scranton Counseling Center

Martin Fotta, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA


65

Jessica Carrion, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA

Nicole Gosh, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA

Maryclare Mecca, Women’s Resource Center

Erin Murray, Northeast Behavioral Care Consortium

Jim Cook, Community Care Behavioral Health

Mission

The mission of the Lackawanna County Reentry Program is to successfully integrate recently

incarcerated citizens back to the community. The program’s comprehensive and customized

approach to reintegration includes pre-release assessment, systematic identification of needs, and

linkages to services. A strong and diversified network of community and professional

partnerships establishes a framework to bolster public safety, break the cycle of recidivism, and

enhance lives, families, and society.

Vision

The vision of the Lackawanna County Reentry Program is that every citizen who returns from

incarceration actualizes a responsible, productive, and fulfilling life. Committed, competent, and

compassionate professionals, along with vested community stakeholders support returning

citizens within the full spectrum of the human condition. What remains are respected and

restored lives that exemplify character, benefit communities, and strengthen hope for the future.

Goals

The primary goal of the Lackawanna County Reentry Program are to reduce recidivism and

improve outcomes in Lackawanna County. For purposes of this program, recidivism is defined

as the return of any individual who received a county sentence of imprisonment, is released, and

is subsequently incarcerated within three years of release.

Strategies

In achieving its mission and vision, the Lackawanna County Reentry Program will use the

following strategies:

1. Ensure/develop collaboration, communication, and coordination among the Lackawanna

County Prison, Lackawanna County Adult Probation and Parole Office, and service

providers to offer seamless access to all needed services

2. Continue to identify/review gaps in the system on an ongoing basis and work with

community and faith-based organizations to fill them (community case management,

housing, drug and alcohol, mental health, mentoring, etc.)

3. Utilize grant funding to build the capacity of the community and faith-based

organizations


66

4. Focus on evidence-based programs and services such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(CBT) – those that have been proven to be effective

5. Provide services targeted to the risk level of each participant

6. Address root causes of recidivism and provide root cause solutions

7. Increase public awareness of the value and benefits of an effective reentry system, e.g.

holding annual reentry summit, etc.

SUMMARY OF STRATEGIC ACTION AREAS

Focus Area Strategic Goals Strategic Objectives

Pre & Post

Release

Provide comprehensive,

integrated, holistic reentry

services for ex-offenders

returning to Lackawanna

County

1. Develop or identify comprehensive

assessment tool to determine offender risk

level and needs, and to facilitate

intervention recommendations

2. Generate list of inmates eligible for release

at least

3. six weeks prior to their projected release

4. Create and implement discharge plan, and

make appropriate referrals for services

5. Strengthen prison programming and staff

investment, and conduct standard pre-

release activities

6. Establish and maintain a comprehensive

resource guide or other mechanism for

educating inmates and staff on available

community programs and services; Efforts

will be made to secure agency videos on

services provided as well as other web

based tools to educate inmates and staff on

available services and supports

7. Establish memorandums of understanding

with service providers

8. Integrate cognitive behavior therapy

throughout programming

9. Actively promote the value and benefits of

the reentry program


67


Children &

Families

Support family stability

during the absence of the

offender

Support family

reunification with

biological or chosen family

(where appropriate)

1. Identify services and supports available

for families during family member

incarceration

2. Provide supportive family programs such

as Family Reentry, Parenting, Visitation

and Parenting support group

Health Care

Increase access to needed

medical services

1. Assist with access to medical assistance,

Medicaid and/or SSI (if eligible)

2. Coordinate referrals for service, interim

medications, and medical records prior to

release

3. Initiate COMPASS application within two

weeks prior to release from LCP

Housing

Provide emergency, short

term, and long term

housing options for

offenders

1. Connect program participants with

emergency housing options, as needed

2. Develop and maintain list of landlords

willing to provide housing options to

offenders

3. Develop new housing with supportive

services appropriate for single or family

situation post-release

4. Develop and coordinate plans for Group

Home housing options with an

experienced service provider

5. Actively pursue avenues for funding

Mental Health

and Substance

Abuse

Address mental health and

substance abuse needs of

offenders in a timely

manner

1. Encourage agencies to develop and

implement programs and protocols

addressing the specific needs of offenders

who need mental health services and/or

substance abuse treatment

2. Coordinate required supports: referrals for

service, interim medications, and medical

record prior to release date

3. Work closely with mental health staff

assigned to the prison to ensure

availability of medication upon release

and/or follow-up appointment scheduled

prior to release

4. Actively pursue avenues for funding and

expansion of programs


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Education

Provide educational

opportunities targeted to

the individual’s strengths

and needs that will lead to

increased employment

opportunities

1. Provide three tiers of educational

programs: basic literacy and math skills,

GED attainment, and post-secondary

options all leading to improved

employment opportunities

2. Provide comprehensive soft skills and life

skills programs, incorporating cognitive

behavior therapy for all ex-offenders in the

reentry program

3. Actively pursue avenues for funding and

expansion of programs

Employment

Provide comprehensive

employment services and

options that will increase

the probability that

offenders will secure and

retain long term

employment

1. Implement a job readiness program to

help participants overcome barriers while

building work-related skills that ultimately

lead to apprenticeships and/or

unsubsidized employment

2. Establish relationship with PA

CareerLink, and hold job fairs, mock job

interviews, etc.

3. Educate area employers on incentives

related to the hiring of offenders, i.e.

Federal Bonding Program

4. Connect individuals with special needs

(such as individuals with disabilities,

veterans) to organizations providing

specialized services

5. Actively pursue avenues of funding and

expansion of programs available

Legal Issues

Establish and implement a

means to identify and

address outstanding legal

issues that are barriers to

successful reentry

1. Develop a legal needs assessment to

identify outstanding legal issues

2. Develop network of resources such as pro

bono lawyers and law students qualified

and willing to offer guidance

3. Assist in accessing needed legal

documents such as driver’s license, birth

certificate, social security card, photo id,

etc.


69


Mentoring and

Long Term

Support

Develop and implement a

multi-layered mentoring

program that will support

returning offenders

1. Define and develop the mentoring

program options and components

2. Define characteristics of positive mentors

and recruit individuals with these

characteristics

3. Develop and implement a training

program for all mentors, incorporating

cognitive behavior therapy concepts

4. Match mentors with demographics similar

to offenders while incarcerated

5. Support the ongoing mentor/mentee

relationship

Transportation

Connect offenders with

affordable transportation

options

1. Identify transportation options available for

program participants

2. Obtain discount bus passes, obtain public

transportation vouchers, offer bicycles

Research and Evaluation

A strong system of data collection, program evaluation, and research is necessary to ensure

effective use of limited resources and services are truly promoting successful reentry. Research

that identifies evidence-based and promising practices should guide the selection of program

models. Implementation of these models should maintain fidelity to the design. The expected

outcomes from programming would be defined and a system of data collection that allows for

evaluation and reporting would assist in modifications that improve outcomes. Efforts will be

made to identify responsibilities for the collection of data, to include, but not limited to: who will

be responsible for data collection, what specific data will be collected, when data will be

collected, and who data will be disseminated to.

Funding

The strategical priorities identified in the planning process to action requires efficient use of

existing resources and a more organized and coordinated approach in obtaining new funding.

Competition for limited resources both within and beyond the issue of reentry is a reality. A

system that has the capability of identifying funding opportunities that support priorities and best

practices, addressing concerns related to resource distribution, and making the process

transparent to stakeholders will maximize fundraising opportunities.


70

Action Steps

Stakeholders participating in the planning process successfully identified strategic priorities; now

an effective and efficient implementation process must be established. The key ingredients to

successful implementation are:

Maintain focus on the strategic priorities identified

Develop detailed implementation plans for each strategic priority, identifying what needs

to be done, who needs to be involved, and timing for completion

Develop a structured reporting system that communicates progress and barriers to

successful implementation

It was necessary to conduct a planning process to establish strategic priorities since fiscal

resources are limited. To a large degree, there is a logical progression or evolution of what needs

to be done to improve the reentry system of services; and the commitment and contributions of a

large number of stakeholders will be required to institute desired improvements. It is important

to maintain a focus on these priorities in order to maximize the progress that is possible. This is

not to say that there will not be emergent issues and opportunities that must be addressed,

however there must be thoughtful consideration and justification for diverging from the

established strategic priorities.

Implementation

The ten strategic priorities present a challenging agenda to accomplish. In order to be successful,

an organized and efficient approach must be utilized. In each strategic priority, work has begun

to address each specific area; additional delineation of tasks and responsibilities is required. In

addition, it may be necessary to further focus efforts due to resource limitations and identify the

strategic priorities that are most important to accomplish.


71

Appendix 1

Expected Process Flow

The Lackawanna County Reentry Program will:

1. Complete CJ Comprehensive Intake (TCU CJ CI) assessment at time of incarceration to

identify criminogenic risk and needs

2. Prepare for reentry (at least six weeks prior to release) by engaging offender in pre-release

planning and programming prior to release

3. Identify barriers to release including housing, employment, medication, transportation, and

treatment needs, etc.

4. Review reentry plan, make appropriate referrals, and engage family in release planning

5. Maintain supportive relationship after/post release

6. Perform case management after release to ensure individual is completing activities in the

plan

7. Manage relationship with community service providers, perform quality control/assessment

of services and service providers to ensure they are delivering what has been promised/

contracted and that they are having an impact

8. Develop a comprehensive data collection process that measures program outcome

performance

Critical Success Factors

• Individual signs contract committing to participate in reentry programming.

• Define and hold individuals accountable to set/pre-defined standards

• Determine guidelines for when it is necessary to remove an individual from

programming for non-compliance; preserving resources for those who are ready for

change

• Hold individual accountable; provide assistance as needed. He/she must take

responsibility for self

• Help individual define goals and move toward self-sufficiency

• Focus on pro-social behaviors and attitudes and ensure participation in cognitive behavior

therapy (CBT) skill building

• Assist ex-offender in developing pro-social relationships; determine who ex-offender is

engaging at every step of reentry

• Engage family members to the degree they want to be involved; ensure family involvement

will benefit the ex-offender


72

• All individuals who come in contact with the ex-offender as a volunteer or contracted service

provider will be familiar with CBT and will share a common approach to supporting the ex-

offender

• Hold providers accountable for delivering contracted services


73

Appendix 2 - Theory of Change – Lackawanna County Reentry Planning Task Force

Strategies * Expand Reentry task force, improve inter-agency communication * Develop comprehensive, community-wide reentry plan * Create reentry plans for LCP inmates prior to release with resource info/referrals to community resources * Engage private sector/ volunteers for financial/human resources * Educate inmates, prison and agency staffs * Establish comprehensive pre-release employment readiness program * Provide ID to inmates pre-release

Assumptions * Assumes awareness of needs and how to address them * People can take responsibility & change if they want to * Positive personal connections are necessary to support change * Community resources will be available, will cooperate, and will communicate

Influential Factors BARRIERS: * Cost/fluctuating resources * Policies that limit housing and other services for returning citizens communication between stakeholder groups SUPPORTS: * Buy-in from commissioners and judges * Availability of community resources * Commitment of and rapport between stakeholder groups & agencies

Problem or Issue * Referrals from LCP to D&A / MH treatment * Lack of transitional & affordable housing * Insufficient job training and employment * Insufficient transportation * Children and families, education, health care, legal issues, mentoring * Data collection

Community Assets/Needs * Lackawanna County has started forming a collaborative, community-wide Reentry Task Force to address reentry issues * Data exists to demonstrate program need * Many agencies have programs & services to offer but are “best kept secrets”; some agencies limited in who they can serve * Lackawanna County lacks a comprehensive, coordinated, collaborative process for reentry

Desired Results

* 80% completion of pre-release programming * 30% placement into transitional housing * 50% employment of returning citizens beyond 2 months post release * 75% completion of substance abuse treatment upon release * 75% participation in mental health services beyond 3 months post release * 25% decrease in recidivism


74

Appendix 3: Logic Model

Target Population: County Sentenced Inmates identified as moderate to high risk offenders, being released from Lackawanna

County Prison back to Lackawanna County

Goal: Provide comprehensive, integrated, holistic reentry services for returning citizens residing in Lackawanna County

Objectives Activities Outputs/Process Measures Outcome Measures

1. Develop or identify

comprehensive assessment

tool to determine offender risk

level and needs, and to

facilitate intervention

recommendations

2. Generate list of inmates

eligible for release at least six

weeks prior to their projected

release

3. Create and implement

discharge plan, and make

appropriate referrals for

services

4. Increase/improve

communication with probation

& parole and community

service providers to ensure

smoother transition for

offender from pre to post

release

* Completion of TCU assessment

within 2 weeks of admission to

determine eligibility for reentry

program and determine individual

needs of offender

* Enrollment of inmates into

reentry program

* Begin implementation of reentry

plans, including access to

COMPASS, begin to familiarize

offender and family with available

community resources

* Participation in reentry

programming, including

educational classes in employment

preparation, family reunification,

building relationships, budgeting,

substance abuse, etc.

* Identify community service

providers for post release services

*Establish formal relationships

with community providers

* Schedule services for offenders

upon release based on identified

needs

* Number of offenders assessed

* Number of offenders

identified as medium-high risk

* Number of offenders entering

the reentry program

* Number of offenders that

receive programming

* Number of post release

service providers identified

* Number of offenders released

receiving post release services,

based on reentry plan or other

identified needs

* 80% complete assessment

and pre-release planning

* 90% of those identified as

moderate to high risk, accept

admittance to reentry program

* 80% of offenders

successfully complete pre-

release programming

* 100% offenders enrolled,

successfully complete

COMPASS application (when

applicable)

* 90% of offenders that

participate in the transition

component will be prepared to

reenter the work force, i.e.

completed resume, knowledge

of where to obtain

employment, knowledge of

community resources, etc.

* Less than 10% of offenders

participating in reentry

services will return to

jail/prison on violation or new

charge


75

Goal: Support family stability during the absence of the offender; support family reunification with biological or chosen

family (where applicable)


1. Identify services and supports

available for families during

family member incarceration

2. Provide supportive family

programs such as Family

Reentry, Parenting, Visitation

and Parenting support group

*Establish relationships with

community service agencies to

provide supports available to

families

*Enroll families interested in

programming/support

*Participation in weekly family

support programs

*Number of families enrolled in

community supports

*Number of families complete

participation in family support

programs

*30% increase in family

member support and

reunification

Goal: Increase access to needed medical services


1. Initiate COMPASS

application within two weeks

prior to release from LCP

2. Assist with access to medical

assistance, Medicaid and/or

SSI (if eligible)

3. Coordinate referrals for

service, interim medications,

and medical records prior to

release

*Engage/complete application

process for COMPASS, learning

about and understanding benefits

of program

*Creation of a detailed plan for

release including all necessary

follow-up medical appointments

*Number of completed

COMPASS applications

* Number of referrals/

appointments

*50% increase in COMPASS

applications accepted

*50% increase in returning

citizens following-up with

scheduled medical

appointments


76

Goal: Provide emergency, short term, and long term housing options for offenders


1. Connect program participants

with emergency housing

options, as needed

2. Develop and maintain list of

landlords willing to provide

housing options to offenders

*Participation in groups focusing

on housing options and resources

available in the community

*Number of offenders

completing group

*30% increased placement of

returning citizens into local

community housing options

Goal: Address mental health and substance abuse needs of offender in a timely manner


1. Provide education/counseling

for those suffering with

substance abuse problems

2. Availability of mental health

services on a weekly basis

3. Work closely with mental

health staff assigned to the

prison to ensure availability of

medication upon release and/or

follow-up appointment

scheduled prior to release

*Participation in weekly groups

focusing on substance abuse issues

(when applicable)

*Participation in weekly mental

health services (when applicable)

*Creation of a detailed plan for

release including all necessary

follow-up medical appointments


completing weekly groups

focusing on substance abuse

issues


participating in mental health

services

*Number of reentry plans

including all necessary follow-

up medical appointments

*80% increase in offender

knowledge of substance abuse,

addictions and community

resources available within the

local community

*75% participation in weekly

mental health services

*75% completion of substance

abuse treatment/programming

upon release

*75% participation in mental

health services beyond three

months post release


citizens following-up with

scheduled appointments


77

Goal: Provide educational opportunities targeted to the individual’s strengths and needs that will lead to increased

employment


1. Provide three tiers of

educational programs: basic

literacy and math skills, GED

attainment, and post-secondary

options all leading to improved

employment opportunities

2. Provide comprehensive soft

skills and life skills programs,

incorporating cognitive

behavior therapy for all ex-

offenders in the reentry

program

*Participation in GED educational

classes or other educational classes

offered

*Participation in soft skills

programming with the overall goal

of learning necessary skills to

increase employment opportunities

upon release

*Participation in life skills

programming directed at

improving transitional outcomes


completing GED programming

or other educational classes


completing soft skill

programming


completing life skills

programming

*50% of offenders prepared to

test, pass the GED exam

*75% of offenders will

complete soft skills

programming and be prepared

to enter the workforce

*75% of offenders will

complete life skills

programming

Goal: Provide comprehensive employment services and options that will secure and retain long term employment


1. Implement a job readiness

program to help participants

overcome barriers while

building work-related skills

that ultimately lead to

apprenticeships and/or

unsubsidized employment

2. Establish relationship with PA

CareerLink, and hold job fairs,

mock job interviews, etc

*Weekly participation in job

readiness, learning to overcome

obstacles and barriers preventing

employment

*Participation in job fairs and

mock interviews


completing job readiness

programming


completing mock interviews


participating in job fairs

*50% of returning citizens will

maintain employment beyond

two months post release

*80% increase in offender

knowledge related to

employment and the workplace


78

Goal: Establish and implement a means to identify and address outstanding legal issues that are barriers to successful reentry


1. Develop a legal needs

assessment to identify

outstanding legal issues

2. Develop network of resources

such as pro bono lawyers and

law students qualified and

willing to offer guidance

Assist in accessing needed

legal documents such as

driver’s license, birth

certificate, social security

card, photo id, etc.

*Completion of legal assessment

of needs

*Participation in monthly meeting

hosted by professionals to discuss

available low cost legal

options/support; overview of

community supports available

*Completion of necessary legal

documents needed for

identification upon release

*Number of completed legal

assessments


completing monthly legal

meetings

*Number of inmates completing

applications for identification

*30% increase in legal

assistance provided to

returning citizens upon release


citizens knowledge of legal

services available in the local

community

*50% increase in legal

documents obtained prior to

release

Goal: Develop and implement a multi-layered mentoring program that will support returning offenders


1. Define and develop the

mentoring program options

and components

2. Match mentors with

demographics similar to

offenders while incarcerated

3. Support the ongoing

mentor/mentee relationship

*Participation in mentoring

services with the overall goal of

increasing attitudes and behaviors

prior to return to the community


participating in mentoring

program

*Number of offenders matched

with mentor

*50% returning citizens

maintain relationship/support

with mentors beyond two

months post release


79

Goal: Connect offenders with affordable transportation options


1. Identify transportation options

available for program

participants

2. Obtain discount bus passes,

obtain transportation

vouchers, offer bicycles

*Participation in monthly group

focusing on education and

information related to public

transportation in the local

community; includes knowledge

of where to obtain and how to read

bus schedules, obtain reduced bus

passes/vouchers, etc.


completing group

*80% increase in knowledge

of public transportation

*30% obtain vouchers/passes

for reduced bus fares


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Appendix 4

Resources Available for Reentry

AA-Alcoholics Anonymous

48 South Main Street

Pittston, PA 18640

570.654.0488

Services: 12 Step Meetings for Recovering Alcoholics

and those seeking Recovery (Call for meetings in local area)

AA Alcohol Abuse & Addictions Hotline

1.800.640.7545

Services: Referral and Support for Individuals Suffering with Addiction

Al-Anon/Al-A Teen

Pittston, PA 18640

570.603.0541

Services: Support Meetings for Family and/or Friends of Alcoholics

A Better Today

1339 North Main Avenue

Scranton, PA 18508

570.344.1444

Services: Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Counseling

Advocacy Alliance- A Mental Health Association

846 Jefferson Avenue

Scranton, PA 18501

1.877.315.6855

570.342.7762

Services: Offers a safe, supportive environment for persons in the community with mental illness

or emotional problems. Services include Community Health Services, Child and Family Mental

Health Advocacy, Recovery Center and Progress House, WARM LINE, Consumer/Family

Satisfaction Teams, Community MR Services, Consumer Financial Services for Individuals with

MH/MR issues

Bread Basket of NEPA

Covenant Presbyterian Church

550 Madison Avenue

Scranton, PA 18510

570.343.2324

Services: Food Pantries


81

Catherine McCauley Center

430 Pittston Avenue (Administration Office)

Scranton, PA 18510

570.342.1342

Services: Women only Emergency, Transitional, and Permanent Housing

Catholic Social Services

516 Fig Street

Scranton, PA 18505

570.207.2283

Services: Counseling-Marriage/Relationship, Child-Parent, Individual, Pregnancy, Budgeting.

Anger Management Groups, Financial Assistance, Hispanic Outreach, Housing for Homeless/

Mentally Ill, Housing Counseling Program, and Adoption

Clear Brook, Inc.

1003 Wyoming Avenue

Forty Fort, PA 18704

570.823.1171

1.800.582.6241

Services: Inpatient Drug & Alcohol Services, Relapse Prevention Program (14 days), Medically

Supervised Detox, Weekend Inpatient Program

COLTS (Lackawanna Transit System)

800 North South Road

Scranton, PA 18504

570.346.2061

570.876.1256

Services: Public Transportation, Discount Bus Passes, Handicap Accessible


445 North 6th

Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.342.4298

Services: Drug & Alcohol Information, Assessment & Referral, Mental Health Assessment,

Social Rehabilitation Programs, Employment Placement and Crisis Intervention, Day Shelter for

Homeless, Daily Snacks

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of NEPA

401 Laurel Street

Pittston, PA 18640

570.602.2227

1.800.922.9537

Services: Affordable Housing Program (For 1st time Homebuyers), Budget Counseling, Credit

Report Review, Debt Management Program, Emergency Mortgage Assistance (Must be referred

by lender through Act 91 Notice), HUD Counseling


82

DATS-Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services

441 Wyoming Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.961.1997

Services: Intensive Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Services, Evaluation/Diagnostic Services,

Individual, Family, Group Therapy

Dress for Success Lackawanna

431 North 7th

Avenue, Suite B

Scranton, PA 18503

570.941.0339

Services: Women Only; By Appointment Only. Helps Provide Low-Income Women with

Clothing Appropriate for Employment and Job Interviewing

Educational Opportunity Centers

431 North 7th

Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.496.0296

Services: Educational Information & Assistance, Career Interest Testing, Educational

Counseling, Financial Aid, Information/Assistance, Referral to Education/Vocational Programs

EOTC-Employment Opportunity & Training Center

431 North 7th

Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.348.6484 (Workforce Development)

570.348.6493 (Family Center)

Services: Women in Transitions Groups (For Formerly Incarcerated Women), Career Guidance,

Job Search Support, Job Search Group-Every Tues. 10 am-noon, Fatherhood Program, LCP

Team, Life Skills Support, Parents as Teachers, Parenting Classes, Individual Parent

Consultation, Supervised Visitations, Home Visitations for Parents with Young Children, Youth

Mentoring, Toddler Play Group, Early Head Start Programs, Incredible Years.

FIRST-Free Information & Referral System

Telephone

570.961.1234

Services: Information & Referral Services to Community Resources that will Best Fit your Needs

(7 days a week/24 hours a day)

Friends of the Poor

2300 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18509

570.348.4429 (has voicemail)

570.348.4428

Services: Food, Clothing, and Furniture for Emergency Needs, Fragile Family Program for

Low-Income Families with Children


83

Goodwill Industries of NEPA, Inc.

925 Prospect Avenue

Scranton, PA 18505

570.343.1166

Services: Community Employment & Placement Services (For Mentally & Physically

Challenged), Residential Home Placement (For those Unable to Live on their Own)

Hanna’s Hope Pregnancy Shelter

PO Box 132

Luzerne, PA 18709

570.763.9593

Services: Provides a clean, safe environment for expectant mothers in homeless or crisis

situations; prepares for birthing process, helps facilitate medical and other necessary

appointments, and mentors new mothers in the care of their newborn; individualized

programming; receive help in life skills

Jewish Family Services of Lackawanna County

615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 204

Scranton, PA 18510

570.344.1186

Services: Counseling-Individual, Couples, and Family, Dental Clinic

Job Corps

28 Academy Street, Suite 4

Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18701

570.824.6630

1.800.354.9758

Services: Training program for people ages 16-24, Free GED Prep, Vocational Training,

Dormitory Housing, Meals Paid, Medical & Dental Care

Lackawanna College

501 Vine Street

Scranton, PA 18509

Scranton: 570.961.7882

Hazelton: 570.459.1573

Lake Region: 570.226.4625

Services: GED Testing

Lackawanna County AIDS Council

637 Clifton Beach Road

Clifton Twp, PA 18424

570.842.2448

Services: Advocacy, services, education, support, and resources involving HIV/AIDS


84

Lackawanna County Assistance Office

Scranton State Office Building

100 Lackawanna Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.4525

Fax: 570.963.4843

Services: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance, Food Stamps, Medical

Assistance, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, Disability Advocacy Program,

Employment & Training Program for Low-Income Individuals, Behavioral and Mental Health

Assistance, Alcohol & Drug Addiction Assistance

Lackawanna County Child Care Information Services-Title XX

345 Wyoming Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6644

Services: Assist families who need help paying their child care costs, provide information about

available child care providers. Eligibility for this program and assessed co-payment are based

on family’s residence, family size and income, and work/education status

Lackawanna County Children and Youth Services

200 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6781

Services: Provides Services to Families who are Experiencing Crisis. Provide Information,

Referral, Protective Services, Prenatal Care, Adoption and Foster Care, Emergency Placement,

Child Care Information Services

Lackawanna County Clerk of Judicial Records-Civil & Criminal Division

Brooks Building

436 Spruce Street

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6723

Services: Access Legal Information Related to Court of Common Pleas-Includes Litigation and

Inquiries under Civil Action, Judgment, Liens, and Similar Transactions

Lackawanna County Commission on Drug & Alcohol Abuse

135 Jefferson Avenue, Second Floor

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6820

Services: Planning, Intervention, and Treatment Services for Residents of Lackawanna County


85

Lackawanna County Habitat for Humanity

550 Madison Avenue

Scranton, PA 18510

570.342.7911

Services: Home ownership for low-income families through community volunteer efforts.

Support services available for owners.

Lackawanna County Medical Assistance Transportation

800 North South Road

Scranton, PA 18504

570.963.6482

Services: Provides reimbursable service of transportation to any medical assistance user to a

physician’s office, hospital, clinic, pharmacy, or provider of treatment (Does not include

ambulance transportation to sheltered workshops or day care programs)

Lackawanna County Veterans Affairs

224 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6778

Services: Helps to Obtain Benefits for Veterans and their Families

Lackawanna Housing Authority

2019 West Pine Street

Dunmore, PA 18512

570.342.7629

Services: Public Housing, Section 8 Housing, Rental Assistance (Approved Participants-Must

Apply)

Lackawanna County Pro Bono, Inc.

Bank Towers, 5th

Floor

321 Spruce Street

Scranton, PA 18503

570.961.2714

Services: Intended for Low-Income Individuals with Pressing Legal Problems. Handles:

Unemployment Compensation, Protection from Abuse, Debtor/Credit Problems,

Landlord/Tenant, Separation Advice, Child & Spousal Support, Custody & Visitation,

Termination of SSI Benefits, and other Serious Civil Legal Problems. Does not handle Criminal

Matters

Marworth

Lily Lake Road, PO Box 36

Waverly, PA 18471

570.563.1112

1.800.442.7722


86

Services: Chemical Dependency Treatment Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, Outpatient

Program, Partial Hospital Program, Rehabilitation Programs, and Crisis

Marywood University

2300 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18509

570.348.6273

570.348.6231

Services: GED Prep and Testing

Maternal Family & Health Services, Inc.

431 North 7th

Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.961.5550

Services: Women’s Reproductive Health & Nutrition Care, WIC Nutrition Program, Family

Planning Program, Nurse-Family Partnerships, Healthy Women Cancer Screening Program,

Healthy Beginnings Plus

NAMI-PA Scranton Area Chapter

846 Jefferson Avenue

Scranton, PA 18510

570.342.1047

Services: Advocacy & Education Programs for Individuals & Families Affected by Mental

Illness Support Groups (Call 570.346.2346)

Neighborhood Housing of Scranton

709 East Market Street

Scranton, PA 18509

570.558.2490

Services: Financial, Educational, & Technical Assistance to 1st Time Homebuyers in

Lackawanna County, Mortgage Funding Available, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Home

Ownership Workshops

NHS Human Services (Formerly Tri-County Human Services Center)

185 Fallbrook Street

Carbondale, PA 18407

570.282.1732

Services: Comprehensive Provider of Mental Health Services, Outpatient Services, Emergency

Services, Psychiatric/Psychological Services, Family Therapy, Intensive Case Management,

Partial Hospitalization, MR Day Programs, Early Intervention, Autism School

OVR-Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

300 Gaird Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

570.826.2011

1.800.634.2060


87

**Local Office Located in PA Career Link**

Services: Diagnostic, Vocational, Evaluation, Physical, Restoration, Training, Counseling &

Guidance, Job Placement. MUST Have Appointment for Services.

PA CareerLink Lackawanna County

135 Franklin Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.3110

570.963.4671 OR 570.963.4384

Services: Job Referral, Counseling, Job Guidance, Business Services, Veteran, Youth, and

Senior Employment Services, Training Programs, Training Providers, OVR Counseling

PennDot Photo Exam Center

81 Keystone Industrial Park

Dunmore, PA 18512

1.800.932.4600

Services: Obtain Driver’s License/Photo ID

Planned Parenthood

316 Penn Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.344.2626

1.800.230.PLAN

Services: Medical services such as gynecological exams, pap tests, breast exams, pregnancy

tests, STD clinic, contraceptive supplies, HIV testing, counseling & referral services for prenatal

care

Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency SLHDA

200 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.6836

Services: Job Training, Assistance and Employment, Financial Aid for Crisis

Safety Net 550 Madison Avenue

Scranton, PA 18510

570.347.4730

Services: Supplemental Food, Rent, Prescriptions, Infant Formula, Eyeglasses, Furniture,

Transportation, & Other Emergency Assistance

**Closed Wednesday 12-4pm**

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center

610 South Washington Avenue

Scranton, PA 18505

570.346.0007


88

Services: Residential Facility for MEN, Individual & Group Counseling, Spiritual Meetings,

Work Therapy, and Various 12-Step Programming

Salvation Army Corps Community Center

500 South Washington Avenue

Scranton, PA 18505

570.344.9878

570.969.6399

Services: Food, Financial Aid for Gas & Electric, Oil, Coal, and Wood, Worship Service

SCOLA Volunteers for Literacy

2013 Boulevard Avenue, Suite 1

Scranton, PA 18509

570.346.6203

Services: Free Tutoring for Adults Wanting to Learn to Read & Write or Improve their Reading

& Writing Skills, ESL Services, Math & Life Skills Tutoring


326 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.348.6100

Services: Adult & Child/Adolescent Diagnostic & Treatment Services with Mental Health Issues,

Family/Marital, Work Issues, Psychological Testing, Psychiatric Evaluation, Long Term

Services, Comprehensive Mental Health Programs, Critical Incident Stress Management,

Emergency/Crisis Intervention, Employee Assistance Program, Family Home-Based, Partial

Hospitalization Program, Early Intervention

Scranton Division of Vital Records

Room 112 Scranton State Office Building

100 Lackawanna Avenue

Scranton, PA 18503

570.963.4595

Services: Birth Certificate Replacement. Open Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30pm

Scranton Housing Authority

400 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18510

570.348.4400

Services: Public Housing & Section 8 Programs. Must apply for Eligibility

Scranton Primary Health Care Center

959 Wyoming Avenue

PO Box 31

Scranton, PA 18501

570.344.9684

570.969.9662


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Services: Medical Services, Dental Services. Accepts Access Card (Medicaid). Will help those

who cannot afford Medical Services (case-by-case basis). Sliding Fee Scale also Available

Social Security Administration

409 Lackawanna Avenue, 1st Floor

Scranton, PA 18503

570.342.8062 or 1.800.772.1213

Services: Information & Claim Processing for all Programs Administered by Social Security:

Retirement Benefits, Survivor Benefits, Supplemental Security Income Benefits, Medicare, Black

Lung Payments, Disability Payments, Social Security Account Numbers

St Francis of Assisi Kitchen

500 Penn Avenue

Scranton, PA 18509

570.342.5557 (choose option 4)

Services: Free Hot Meals Daily between 11:00am-12:00 noon. Evening Meals-Tuesday,

Wednesday, & Thursday 5:00pm-6:00pm. Free Clothing Monday 11:00am-12:00 noon

St Joseph’s Center Maternity & Family Services

2010 Adams Avenue

Scranton, PA 18509

570.342.8379

1.800.786.6346

Services: Housing for Pregnant Women, Mother-Infant Program (For Single, Homeless Women

with Babies), Adoption Program, Early Intervention Program, Baby Pantry-Free Baby Clothes

(up to size 6), Diapers, Baby Formula/Food, Baby Furnishings

*Baby Pantry is located at:

320 South Blakely Street

Dunmore, PA 18512

Phone: 570.558.5050

Additional Services: Adult Developmental Training Program; Community Living Arrangements

Program (for individuals with medical needs and severe/profound disabilities); Family Aid

Program; ICF/MR Program; Respite Care; Supported Independent Living (Persons with MR

who have chosen to live on their own)

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, NEPA Affiliate

300 Mulberry Street

Scranton, PA 18503

570.969.6072

1.877.626.6648 (Mammogram Hotline)

Services: Free education and screening to uninsured women who meet eligibility requirements

The Leahy Community Health & Family Center

240 Kressler Court Entrance

Basement of McGurrin Hall

Scranton, PA 18510


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570.941.6112

570.941.6165

Services: Free clinic offering health care service to uninsured residents of Lackawanna County

United Neighborhood Centers Administration Office

425 Alder Street

Scranton, PA 18505

570.346.0759

570.343.8835

Services: Angel’s Attic (Free Clothing & Household Items), Daily Bread Program (Donated

Bread & Baked Goods-Distributed at Community Service Center on Olive Street), Child Care-

Before/After School Programs for Toddlers to School Age, Condemnation Program-Emergency

Short Term Housing for Scranton Residents, Emergency Food Assistance Program, Emergency

Services, Fair Housing Education & Outreach Program, One-Stop for Housing Services,

Transitional Housing & Support (Homeless Families), Violence Intervention Center-Referral

Based Program Anger Management, HIV/AIDS Prevention/Education

UPS Store (For Fingerprinting Services)

201 South Blakely Street

Dunmore, PA 18512

Must Register BEFORE You Arrive: 1.888.439.2486

Services: Fingerprints Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm. Walk-In (Just call number above to

register before arrival)

Voluntary Action Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania

538 Spruce Street

Scranton, PA 18503

570.347.5616

Services: Recruitment and Referral of individuals for volunteer opportunities; FIRST (Free

Information & Referral System Telephone-570.961.1234-24 hour Helpline which provides

information to callers and referral services that will best accommodate the needs of the caller

Women’s Resource Center

PO Box 975

Scranton, PA 18501

570.346.4671

570.346.4460

Services: Women Services-Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Center, Prevention &

Education Programs, Rape Crisis Counseling, Battered Women’s Shelter

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