Identifying SOAR Applicants Please stay on the line. Audio: Passcode: The webinar will begin shortly.

Identifying SOAR Applicants Presented by: SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc. Under contract to: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Webinar Instructions Question instructions Muting Recording availability Downloading documents Evaluation

SOAR Training 2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery training Find your State

Agenda Tools for Identifying Applicants –Kristin Lupfer, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore –Margaret Flanagan, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD Accepting SOAR Referrals With Limited Resources –Jessica Calys, Wyandot Mental Health Center, Kansas City, KS Questions and Answers

Tools for Identifying SOAR Applicants Kristin Lupfer SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc.

The Challenge Limited resources Limited time A lot of people need our help Applications involving mental illness and co-occurring disorders are complicated

Using the Tool Identify individuals who most need your assistance Do not discourage anyone from applying for SSA benefits Plan for alternative service or referral

SOAR Fundamentals Key eligibility criteria for SSA disability benefits –Severe impairment that affects ability to earn SGA –Duration requirements –Symptoms –Functional impairment

SOAR Recommends Not essential, but may strengthen an application –Prescribed medications, ongoing symptoms –Obtainable medical evidence or one time exam is sufficient –Difficult work history

Making it Work For You Add your program criteria Use in conjunction with other assessment tools Consult with colleagues or the SOAR TA Center

Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore Margaret Flanagan, MSW Health Care for the Homeless Baltimore, Maryland

Identifying a SOAR Applicant – Baltimore, MD Citywide trained providers –Utilization of applicant checklist –Discussion of individual –Trigger questions and/or follow-up information Outreach initiative –Referral –Outreach –More in depth assessment/review of medical records

Identifying a SOAR Applicant Homeless or at risk of homelessness Diagnosed with a psychiatric condition Experiencing ongoing symptoms Experiencing functional impairments stemming from symptoms Not working and unable to work SGA due to impairments

Trigger Questions Utilize tool to frame appropriateness Each stage has additional ‘trigger questions’ that are important in decision –Age + diagnosis –Diagnosis (type and duration) –Treatment history –Substance use –Work history

Determination if appropriate Age –Longevity of symptoms –Diagnosis –Treatment history New diagnosis/type of diagnosis –Medical evidence available Medical evidence –The listings or ‘blue book’ –Medical Summary Report can appropriately convey impairments

Determination if appropriate (cont.) Substance Use –Periods of sobriety –What use means to individual –Materiality Work history –Failed attempts, scattered, long periods Prior application attempts/denials

Common reasons not appropriate Goal of employment Lack of severity of conditions New diagnosis and duration Somatic conditions Hearings Level

Handling of non-SOAR applicants Employment –Moving forward with employment and disability Severity of conditions/duration –Reasoning behind severity – tips on how to assist through ‘normal’ process Somatic conditions –Utilize Medical Summary Report or functional assessment for medical conditions – how impacts day-to-day functioning Tips for working at hearings level

Accepting SOAR Referrals with Limited Resources Jessica Calys, LMSW Wyandot Mental Health Center Kansas City, Kansas

WMHC SOAR Referral Process Informal Apply what we have learned as SOAR Case Managers Use information from DDS Serve as appointed representative or refer to another service

Referral Sources Active consumers at the mental health center SOAR is a limited resource –2 case managers

Referral Form

Referral Process Sent to SOAR coordinator Coordinator or case manager calls DDS DDS provides information on past claims

Chart Review Intake: presenting problem, reported symptoms, previous psychiatric history/treatment, client’s report of medical risks, current medications, strengths and additional resources, suicide/homicide history or risk, safety concerns, bio-psychosocial history, legal involvement, history of abuse/trauma, substance abuse/use, mental status exam, and diagnostic summary. Medication history with Wyandot Center Progress notes

Looking For: Functional information Past or current work history Treatment history

Alternatives to SOAR Assistance Assist in completing online application, explain process Provide a list of attorneys who are good collaborators Refer to the agency’s supported employment program

Questions and Answers Facilitators: SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc.

For More Information on SOAR Visit the SOAR website at Or contact: SAMHSA SOAR TA Center Policy Research Associates, Inc. Delmar, NY