Reintegration in Queensland: A New Partnership toward Social Inclusion for People with Mental Illness Prison Mental Health Service & Richmond Fellowship Queensland

Overview Description of both services – structure and service model Partnership – history, context Case Example Outcomes Future

Prison Mental Health Service Component of Queensland Health Forensic Mental Health Service In-reach to 8 Correctional Centres in S.E. Qld Triage, Assessment and Treatment in Custody Psychological Intervention Diversion to health services Transitional Care Coordination Program

Richmond Fellowship Queensland - RFQ Established in Brisbane in 1974, RFQ is a specialist provider of community rehabilitation and support services for people who have moderate to severe mental illness RFQ successfully tendered to Queensland Health to provide transition support for people leaving correctional facilities in South East Queensland and received funding in 2007 RFQ’s Transition Support Service has been operational for over 3 years

RFQ’s Transition Support Service office based in Annerley, Brisbane Coordinator and 6 Support Worker positions Primary Worker/Team Model Nominal individual caseload of 6 – 8 clients Services provided to 8 men’s and women’s correctional centres in South East Queensland RFQ Service Structure

TCP / TSS Service Model RELEASE DATE 2 weeks post release RELEASE DATE DFLO +/- CFOS Up to 3 months pre-release Prison Mental Health Service Care Coordinators Prison Mental Health Service CUSTODY District Mental Health Service Case Managers District Mental Health Service COMMUNITY NGO support workers (RFQ) Up to 6 months post-release 1 month pre- release

7 Referral profile Prison Mental Health Service (PMHS) ‘open case’ load of around 1100 people at any one time Subset are eligible for Transition Care Coordination (TCC) from PMHS (around 100+ per annum) Who does PMHS select for TCC? Significant mental health needs Mental Health Act Status Active Illness Complex medication problems Requires case management in community Risk to successful transition of care At risk of homelessness Subset of this group (-80%) are referred to RFQ

The Partnership begins Early discussions TSS Established TCP established Referral criteria finalised meeting between clinicians and support workers to discuss potential referrals RFQ received first referral Regular management meetings

And continued… 2008 Busy time for both services Meetings were less regular Mutual recognition that this did not meet our needs for communication etc Decision taken to meet regularly on a monthly basis (alternating management and clinical meetings) Development of TOR, agendas and venue

Current Bi-monthly Management meetings Bi-monthly clinical meetings Mutual case presentations Workshopping service models and processes Commencement of Transition Evaluation partnership Development of Service Level Agreement Shared CANFOR roll out & training Shared Conference presentation

Management Meeting objectives To ensure a coordinated approach to maintaining and improving the collaborative relationship To focus on improving the links between the agencies To provide a forum for discussion of broader issues To ensure ongoing monitoring and annual review of the agreed Terms of Reference.

Clinical Meeting Objectives To focus on improving the working relationship between the two agencies. To improve the mutual understanding of each agencies’ role in relation to referral processes, transition planning, community rehabilitation and support and case coordination. To provide a forum for information sharing; discussion and workshopping of individual case reviews; and issue identification and problem solving in relation to broader non-client specific issues. To provide a forum for discussion in relation to referral trends and patterns

Case Example 38 year old Caucasian Australian female incarcerated (second time) for fraud in Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre Health history: Schizophrenia Decreased Thyroid function Prejudicial childhood – neglect, poor parenting Social history: Limited social support network Parents deceased - Estranged from sisters Primary school education. Some experience as a hairdresser Iterant lifestyle

Role of Transition Clinician (TC) Pre-Release Referred to transition program by her Psychiatrist 18 months before actual release date. Illness/ Medication education Liaison with formal networks: Lawyers, sentence management and MHS districts Brief CBT around problem thinking. Illness early warning signs Rapport building Discussion of mental health follow up Needs assessment

Referral process PMHS TC Completed referral to RFQ June 2008 Client consent for referral Client completes RFQ Referral form PMHS send referral form to RFQ RFQ meet with client in correctional centre. Support Worker allocated PMHS informed of acceptance of referral.

Role of RFQ pre-release Explain RFQ service model and philosophy Emphasise voluntary nature of service Client written consent to information sharing Discuss her needs and details of support provided Begin goal setting and informal planning Continue collaboration with PMHS

Transition Planning Release date late December 2009 Court Ordered Parole An Individual Service plan (ISP) was prepared collaboratively with client TC identified emergency accommodation Client happy to stay in this accommodation until better options became available She also agreed to be referred to the district mental health service Emergency contact details were also included in the ISP

Release Day activities On the day of her release from BWCC Client was extradited to NSW to face a Magistrates court on other matters Released from court in NSW on the day of her trial Client organised a bus and promptly returns to Qld Client contacts RFQ and returns to previously arranged accommodation TC informs MHS and confirms initial mental health appointment TC and RFQ accompany Client to G.P appointment

2 ½ months post release Client living in a Public Housing accommodation- a one bedroom unit on the esplanade in a Bayside suburb Ella with white goods worth $ with non-recurrent funds provided by Department of Communities. Washing Machine, Fridge, TV, DVD, Toaster and Juicer RFQ provides support 2 – 3 times per week and assists client with goal setting and activities planning

RFQ 6 months post release Client now taking responsibility for parole obligations Client keeping G.P and MH appointments Mental state continues to be stable Client has dental needs addressed and is more fashion conscious Client commencing TAFE Considering renewing contact with sisters

Client Outcomes Early local outcome data positive Good anecdotal evidence High 6 th month program engagement rate High client satisfaction survey results

Partnership Outcomes Continued willingness to work collaboratively Mutual respect and understanding Forums established to problem solve/manage: Staff performance issues Management of risk Systemic Issues Complex and chaotic environment

Future Plans Continuing current meeting formats Research and Evaluation Data collection Improving inter-rater reliability (CANFOR, HONoS) Collaboration in relation to roll out of Maryborough TSS Increase collaboration & Network building (Housing, D & A, Employment)

Contact Information Julie Evans (07) Larry Stapleton (07)