VHA Veterans Justice Programs: Presentation to Executive Committee - ASCA

Joel Rosenthal, Ph.D.National Training Director, VHA Veterans Justice Programs

January 23, 2012

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Veterans Justice Programs

Office of Homeless Programs–Homelessness Prevention (End Veteran Homelessness)

VA umbrella – Programs to Assist Justice Involved VeteransHealth Care for Reentry Veterans (outreach and reentry planning – prisons)

Veterans Justice Outreach (jail outreach, law enforcement education and liaison, linkage to court system)

Partnership with Corrections – Current Major ProjectsVeterans Reentry Search Service (VRSS)Video Outreach Tools

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VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Veterans Reentry Search Service (VRSS)

Overview• Electronic web-based electronic identification system

• Successful Pilot Testing, significant difference VRSS vs. self-report: 8-9% vs. 3-6%

• Goal: Encourage use by as many justice system partners as possible

Potential Issues and Solutions – Corrections Leadership Perspective• Implementation• Information and confidentiality• VA access to identified Veterans

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VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Video Outreach Tools

• “Suits” – Informational Video for inmate viewing• “Helping Veterans Help Themselves” – companion Instructional Video

• Insure Veterans know of VA services (upon release) and access through VJO• Insure Corrections staff know of VA services, Suits, and their role vis-à-vis Veterans

• Distribution status

Potential Issues and Solutions – Corrections Leadership Perspective• Distribution to prison facilities• Barriers to use in facilities• Expansion of distribution to additional jails

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VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

VIDEO

“Helping Veterans Help Themselves”

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VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Contact

Joel Rosenthal, PhDNational Training Director, VHA Veterans Justice ProgramsJoel.Rosenthal@va.gov(650) 444-7247

Veterans Justice Programs and Specialist Contact Information• http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/Reentry.asp• http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/VJO.asp

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