65A - JAIL REUSE STUDY - Laserfiche WebLink

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engages informal social supports and post -release supervision as applicable. The discharge plan should include the following services: ■ Transportation: Provide participants with transportation from the Jail to their release destination and evaluate whether they will have access to transportation to services, work and other locations mandated in their post -release plan. ■ Clothing. Food and Amenities: Provide participants with clean appropriate clothing and information regarding access to food resources. • Financial Resources: Provide the participant with initial and continuing eligibility for financial assistance programs, Medicare, Medicaid, Workman's Compensation, disability, health insurance benefits, emergency medical assistance, veterans' benefits and eligibility for supplemental security income payments, including local, state, and federal supplements. ■ Documentation: Provide participant with a state -issued identification card. ■ Housing: Identify safe, affordable housing where participant can stay in the days following release and verify bed space is available. • Emolovment and Education: Ensure that appropriate assessments and referrals have been made to facilitate the process of finding and keeping a livable income employment through the employment specialist. Ensure the participant is either employed or enrolled in an educational /vocational program. • Healthcare: Conduct an assessment of the participant's mental and physical healthcare status and needs prior to release and provide the participant with contact information of a healthcare facilitator / provider in the community they plan to reside to ensure continuity of care. With individuals with substance abuse and / or mental health issues, schedule an appointment with a counselor prior to release. • Support Services: Provide participant with access to a reentry specialist who will assist with accessing community resources and contact family members (when appropriate) to notify them of the release date and the release plan. The specialist will provide support at the time of release and in the days immediately following the participant's return to the community. • Aftercare: The reentry, employment, and mental health specialist should continue to provide post -release services to the participant for up to 60 days after release. These services will initially be intensive and will gradually be reduced. Strengthen Linkages Between the Jail and Community Service Provider. During the first few days and weeks after offenders reenter the community, they are at heightened risk for rearrest and relapse, making this period crucial for their success. Without support from service providers, any progress made through jail -based programs can evaporate. The key to a successful transition is ensuring that reentry plans continue when offenders return to their neighborhoods. For this reason, it is essential that the Jail services reentry staff and other service providers collaborate to strengthen linkages between the Jail and community. This can be accomplished by involving key community providers in the design and implementation of the proposed new program. ►il ,T�46