SUPPORTING RE-ENTRY IN NEW JERSEY BY BUILDING CONNECTIVITY Rutgers University December 4, 2009 · Newark, NJ Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety COCHS is supported by:  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation  The Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation  The California Endowment

About COCHS  COCHS is a nonprofit organization established to foster partnerships between jails and community health care and other service providers.  Our goal is to establish medical homes for offenders in their communities, improving public health and public safety and helping to reduce recidivism. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Why Are We Here?  COCHS offers free technical assistance to jurisdictions applying to the Attorney General for new ARRA funding to build connectivity between local and county correctional facilities and community health care providers.  We will also offer free technical support to successful applicants. But more about that later. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

What is Connectivity?  Connectivity is the underlying principle for COCHS’ approach to community-based correctional health care.  It means building partnerships between correctional facilities and community health care providers – creating a bridge that makes correctional health care an extension of the existing community health care system. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Connectivity Has Many Forms  No two jails are alike, and the communities they serve all have different problems and needs, as well as different capacities for serving returning offenders.  For that reason, there is no turn-key model for building and implementing connectivity. Different communities require different approaches. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Connectivity Occurs at Many Levels  Diversion  Booking  Within the jail  At discharge  In the community  Via health information technology  In benefit structures Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Connectivity Can Focus on Different Groups  General population  Juveniles  Substance abusers  Mentally ill  Women Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Provider Partners May Include:  Safety net providers such as FQHCs and community hospitals  Substance abuse treatment programs  Mental health care providers  Other service providers in the community Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

How Does Connectivity Support Re-entry?  Most correctional facilities are like islands, isolated from their communities while offenders are cut off from community services and support, including health care.  Offenders re-entering their communities have health care and other resource needs that typically weren’t being met before entering jail.  Jails can help offenders establish positive ties with their communities before release so that they can get the services they need after release. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Other Benefits of Connectivity  Makes better use of limited resources  Ensures community standard of care  Sharing of health information means more efficient care  Protects taxpayers’ investment in improving offenders’ health while they they’re in jail  Creates medical homes for offenders and their families in the community Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

COCHS’ Role in New Jersey  Assist interested jurisdictions in thinking through their applications for ARRA funding.  Provide technical assistance to successful applicants in planning, developing, and implementing their strategies for connectivity. Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

COCHS’ Services May Include Help With:  Fostering collaborations among prospective partners  Developing satellite health centers within correctional facilities  Organizing health care and other services for offenders in the community  Expanding health screening prior to arraignment  Using electronic information systems  Implementing model policies and procedures  Applying performance standards and targeted clinical quality improvement activities Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

Contact: Steve Rosenberg President, COCHS Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety

And Now … QUESTIONS? Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Linking Community Health and Public Safety