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Suspension and reactivation of health benefits
The jail is aware of state policy regarding the status of people’s Medicaid and SSI/SSDI benefits once they are booked into jail. If allowable, the jail staff suspends benefits upon booking and reactivates prior to release. If termination is required, jail personnel assists with re-applying for benefits so that they… Read More
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR)
SOAR is an approach designed to facilitate the preparation, submission, and approval of Social Security Insurance/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) applications. The approach includes training for case managers, development of clear procedures, and technical assistance for participating agencies to facilitate the preparation and submission and improve the accuracy of SSI/SSDI… Read More
Specialized probation caseloads
Probation officers are assigned smaller caseloads dedicated exclusively to people with mental illnesses in order to better monitor their supervisees’ treatment progress. Read More
Specialized pretrial release
People with mental illness are identified, as appropriate, for pretrial release using a validated pretrial risk assessment. A specialized team of pretrial staff receive additional training in working with people with mental illnesses, and in some jurisdictions, these personnel support defendants’ connection to treatment in the community while released. Read More
Specialized jail personnel
People that enter the jail are identified and connected to treatment by specialized jail staff who have been trained to recognize and appropriately respond to people with mental illnesses. Read More
Specialized defense counsel
Once appointed, the defense counsel is made aware of a defendant’s identified mental health needs. In some jurisdictions, defendants with such needs are also connected to social workers or case managers embedded in the defense office. Read More
Screening process for Medicaid and SSI/SSDI eligibility
A process is established to screen people in the jail (and at any other points in the criminal justice system, as applicable) for Medicaid and Social Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability (SSDI) eligibility. Read More
Prescriptions and medications provided upon release
People leaving jail are prescribed and given access to an appropriate supply of needed medications upon release to avoid harmful–and potentially unsafe–disruptions in care. Read More
Screening and assessment process for substance addiction
Every person booked into jail is screened for substance addiction using validated screening tools. For those that screen positive, a licensed mental health professional administers a validated clinical assessment in a timely manner. Crucial case information is then disseminated to appropriate decision makers to inform pretrial release decisions and the… Read More