ssi and ssdi as tools in re-entry deborah dennis national soar ta center policy research associates,...
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SSI and SSDI as Tools in Re-Entry
Deborah DennisNational SOAR TA Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.Delmar, NY
December 4, 2009
Prevalence of Mental Illness in Jails
Researchers: PRA and CSG
Sites: 5 jails (2 – MD; 3 – NY)
Time: 2002 and 2006
Serious Mental Illness: Depression/Bi-Polar/Schizophrenia/Schizo-Affective/Schizophreniform/Brief Psychotics/Delusional/ Psychosis
Prevalence: Last month
Prevalence Rates: Men – 14.5%Women – 31%
Why is Access to SSI and SSDI So Important for Re-entry?
For people who are disabled, these benefits provide access to:
Income
Housing
Health insurance and treatment
The Problem
Only about 37 percent of all applicants are typically approved on application
People coming out of jail or prison are approved at a much lower rate
Appeals take years and many potentially eligible people give up and do not appeal
SOAR Makes A Difference…
As of August 2009, 71 percent of those assisted by SOAR case managers in 32 states (3,158 persons) were approved for SSI in 89 days on average
SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative
SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery
Sponsored by SAMHSA; No direct funding provided to States or localities
Helps States and communities increase access to SSI/SSDI through:
Collaboration and strategic planningTrainingTechnical assistance
Approval Rates Are Highest…
In places where more SOAR critical components are able to be implemented
Successful Models in Corrections
Miami jail diversion program – 77 percent of 146 applications approved in 70 days; recidivism decreased from 70 to 22 percent
Sing Sing prison in NY– 89 percent of 100 pre-release applications approved in 59 days
Same staff who do applications provide mental health and other support services in community and access housing
SOAR TA Team offers…
Experience and expertise related to re-entry, “in reach” and community-based service provision, and expediting SSI and SSDI
Strategic planning to build partnerships necessary to implement SOAR in jail – SSA, DDS, community provider, jail, medical records, etc.
Training of staff involved at all levels
Follow up technical assistance to insure that challenges are overcome as they arise
SOAR TA Available to Applicants for this Initiative
TA available to limited number of jail/ community provider collaborations
Made possible by grants from the Nicholson and Langeloth foundations
To Include SOAR in Your Application You Need…Community program willing to assist with applications during incarceration and follow-through upon release
OR jail willing to commit staff to assist with applications and arrangement for follow-through upon release
Implementation of SOAR critical components (see www.prainc.com/soar)
Willingness to submit data on applications assisted
To Include SOAR in Your Application, Contact…
Deborah Dennis, National SOAR Project DirectorPolicy Research Associates, Inc.
Delmar, NY518-439-7415, ext. 238
SOAR Website: www.prainc.com/soar