This is based on a quality improvement project in a large healthcare system. The model was designed to help justice-involved individuals who face many challenges after incarceration, including finding stable and safe housing, addressing physical and behavioral health needs, and meeting financial needs. This novel intervention adds specially trained peer specialists who team with reentry social workers in a healthcare system to support individuals as they transition back to community settings after incarceration. The peer specialists provide hope, guidance, and support as they tailor services to meet the needs and goals of their clients. The peer specialists help individuals move from temporary to transitional to permanent housing programs. They also assist with linkage and continued engagement in healthcare, mental health, and substance use programs. The model has been pilot tested in two sites and is currently being implemented in six additional sites nationwide.
Speakers:Â Beth Ann Petrakis: Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research; Kristian Smith: Little Rock VAMC; Jessica Blue-Howells: Deputy National Director, Veterans Justice Programs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Programs Office; Jennifer Yanez: Healthcare for Reentry Veterans Specialist, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System
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