Union County - Pennsylvania Mental Health and … · Union County Report, PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence, March 2014 2 Facilitator Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, Senior

D R E X E L U N I V E R S I T Y &

U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H

Union County Report of the Cross-Systems Mapping Workshop

March 27th & 28th, 2014

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Union County Report, PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence, March 2014

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Facilitator

Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, Senior Consultant

Other Support

Amanda Cross, PhD, Senior Research Associate

Casey LaDuke, MS, Research Associate Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, Project Coordinator

Center of Excellence Staff

David DeMatteo, JD, PhD Amanda Cross, PhD Christy Giallella, MS Patricia Griffin, PhD Kirk Heilbrun, PhD Casey LaDuke, MS

Edward P. Mulvey, PhD Sarah Phillips, BA

Carol Schubert, MPH Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, BA


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Table of Contents

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact With the Criminal Justice System

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5

About the Workshop ......................................................................................................................... 6

Objectives of the Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise ....................................................................... 6

Keys to Success ............................................................................................................................... 7

Union County, Pennsylvania Cross Systems Mapping

Union County Cross Systems Map .................................................................................................. 8

Union County Cross Systems Narrative .......................................................................................... 9

Intercept I: Law Enforcement / Emergency Services ........................................................ 11

Intercept II: Initial Detention / Initial Court Hearing ........................................................... 16

Intercept III: Jails / Courts ................................................................................................. 18

Intercept IV: Re-Entry........................................................................................................ 22

Intercept V: Community Corrections / Community Support .............................................. 25

Union County Action Planning

Union County Priorities .................................................................................................................. 32

Union County Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 33

Conclusions and Summary

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 40

Closing ........................................................................................................................................... 40


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List of Appendices

Appendix A – Participant List ......................................................................................................... 41

Appendix B – Union County CJAB - Board Structure and Membership ....................................... 48

Appendix C – Union County Justice Bridge Housing Program ...................................................... 49


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Union County, Pennsylvania

Transforming Services for Persons with Mental Illness in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence Cross-Systems Mapping workshop held in Union County, Pennsylvania, on March 27th & 28th, 2014. The Union County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) hosted the workshop as part of an ongoing process of developing collaborative systems of support for individuals who have mental illness and who come in contact with criminal justice. This report (and accompanying electronic file) includes: A brief review of the origins and background for the workshop; A summary of the information gathered at the workshop; A cross-systems intercept map as developed by the group during the workshop; A description of each intercept along with identified gaps and opportunities; An action planning matrix as developed by the group; and Observations, comments, and recommendations to help Union County achieve its goals.

Background

The Union County CJAB and multiple other stakeholders requested the Center of Excellence Cross-Systems Mapping workshop to promote progress in addressing criminal justice diversion and treatment needs of adults with mental illness in contact with the criminal justice system. As part of the workshop, the Center of Excellence was requested to provide assistance to Union County with: Creation of a map indicating points of interface among all relevant Union County systems; Identification of resources, gaps, and barriers in the existing systems; and Development of priorities to promote progress in addressing the criminal justice diversion

and treatment needs of adults with mental illness in contact with the criminal justice system. Prior to the workshops, the Center of Excellence gathered information about Union County through a Community Collaboration Questionnaire and gathering of documents relevant to the target population. The participants in the workshops included 43 individuals representing multiple stakeholder systems including mental health, substance abuse treatment, human services, corrections, advocates, peers, law enforcement, and the courts. A complete list of participants is available in Appendix A (pg. 40) of this document. Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, facilitated the workshop sessions. Amanda Cross, PhD, Casey LaDuke, MS, and Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar also provided support.


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About the Workshop

Upon receiving a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in late 2009, the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence was developed as a collaborative effort by Drexel University and the University of Pittsburgh. The mission of the Center of Excellence is to work with Pennsylvania communities to identify points of interception at which action can be taken to prevent individuals with mental illness from entering and penetrating deeper into the justice system. The Center of Excellence workshops, Cross-System Mapping and Taking Action for Change, are unique services tailored to each Pennsylvania community. These workshops provide an opportunity for participants to visualize how mental health, substance abuse, and other human services intersect with the criminal justice system.

This workshop is unlike other types of consultations or staff development training programs. A key element is the collaborative process. Meaningful cross-system collaboration is required to establish effective and efficient services for people with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the criminal justice system. This makes the composition of the group extremely important. While some workshops involve advertising to the entire provider community, it is essential in the Cross-System Mapping workshops that the organizers gather a group that represents key decision makers and varied levels of staff from the relevant provider systems. Center of Excellence staff work with this group, serving as expert guides to help:

Create a cross-systems map indicating points of interface among all relevant local systems; Identify gaps, opportunities, and barriers in the existing systems; Optimize use of local resources; Identify and prioritize necessary actions for change; and Develop an action plan to facilitate this change. Upon completion of the workshops, the Cross-Systems Map included in the report is provided in both print and electronic formats. It is meant to be a starting point. The electronic files can be revised over time to reflect the accomplishments and changes in the planning process.

Objectives of the Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise

The Cross-Systems Mapping Exercise has three primary objectives: 1. Development of a comprehensive picture of how people with mental illness and co-occurring

substance use disorders move through the Union County criminal justice system along five distinct intercept points: Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, Initial Detention/Initial Court Hearings, Jails and Courts, Re-entry, and Community Corrections/Community Support.

2. Identification of gaps, resources, and opportunities at each intercept for individuals in the

target population. 3. Development of priorities for activities designed to improve system and service level

responses for individuals in the target population.


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Keys to Success

Existing Cross-Systems Partnerships Union County’s history of collaboration between the criminal justice and behavioral health systems is reflected in a number of existing local efforts that were identified prior to the mapping. For example:

Union County Criminal Justice Advisory Board

Drug Treatment Court

DUI Treatment Court

Day Reporting Center

Justice Bridge Housing Program Consumer/Family/Advocates Involvement in the Workshops

Consumers were represented by David Lilley (CMSU peer specialist). Mr. Lilley added valuable information to the discussion, especially regarding the training and activities of peer and recovery specialists in Union County.

Walter Everett represented the Pennsylvania Prison Society. Representation from Key Decision Makers in the Workshops

The workshops included wide cross-system representation and involved many of the key decision makers, including County Commissioner Preston Boop. Opening remarks by Karen Nicholson from Diakon Family Life Services and Michael Millett, Director of Union County Day Reporting Center, welcomed participants, set the stage and established a clear message as to the importance of the workshop, and introduced the facilitator.

Data Collection

In addition to the information gained during the workshop, the information in this report was developed from conversations with and questionnaires completed by key stakeholders in Union County in preparation for the workshop. The current report includes this information, as well as information provided on organization websites and key documents for Union County. These documents include the Union County Criminal Justice Advisory Board Strategic Plan for 2012 and the Nomination for the Union County CJAB for the County Commissioners’ Association of Pennsylvania 2013 CJAB Best Practices Award.


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Union County Cross Systems Map


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Union County Cross Systems Narrative

The Cross-Systems Mapping exercise is based on the Sequential Intercept Model developed by Mark Munetz, M.D. and Patty Griffin, Ph.D.,1 in conjunction with the National GAINS Center. In this workshop, participants were guided to identify gaps in services, resources, and opportunities at each of the five distinct intercept points.

This narrative reflects information gathered during the Cross-Systems Mapping Workshop. It provides a description of local activities at each intercept point, as well as gaps and opportunities identified at each point. This narrative may be used as a reference in reviewing the Union County Cross-Systems Map. The cross-systems local task force may choose to revise or expand information gathered in the activity.

The gaps and opportunities identified in this report are the result of “brain storming” during the workshop and include a broad range of input from workshop participants. These points reflect a variety of stakeholder opinions and are, therefore, subjective rather than a majority consensus.

General Description of Services and Cross-System Collaboration

Union County is a Class 7 County of 317 square miles, located in the Susquehanna Valley of Central Pennsylvania, about an hour drive north of Harrisburg. It comprises a mixture of urban and rural settings. The population of the county is approximately 41,650. The county seat is Lewisburg. There are three County Commissioners who constitute the chief governing body of the county. Agriculture is the leading economic activity. There are four federal penal institutions located in two complexes in Union County, making the federal government the largest employer. Union County has several other large employers including Bucknell University, Evangelical Community Hospital, and Ritz Craft Homes.

The area experiences unique criminal justice problems considering the demographics of the county. This is due in part to family and associates of people who are incarcerated in the four federal penitentiaries that inhabit the area. Gang activity, which is usually associated with large metropolitan areas, has seen a sharp increase recently. Crimes related to drug use, keeping up with criminal justice technological advances, and cases of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI) constitute a significant portion of the Courts’ time.

The County has been building a continuum of criminal justice and mental/behavioral health services that provides a basic foundation for continued growth and reorganization on all levels. There are a number of established links, both formal and informal, between the courts, probation, police departments, corrections and the mental health system. These include, but are not limited to: the Union County CJAB; Drug Treatment and DUI Treatment Courts; the Justice Bridge Housing Program, and the Day Reporting Center.

Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB)

Created in 2006 by former President Judge Harold Woelfel, the Union County CJAB is setting the pace in innovative and collaborate approaches to address county needs. The vision of the Union County CJAB is to successfully make the community safer for its citizens, reduce crime and recidivism in the County, and pursue methods and ways to save the County on crime

1 Munetz, M. & Griffin, P. (2006). A systemic approach to the de-criminalization of people with serious

mental illness: The Sequential Intercept Model. Psychiatric Services, 57, 544-549.


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reduction costs without affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the County’s criminal justice (CJ) agencies.

The mission of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board is to evaluate and address community criminal justice issues from a systemic and policy prospective, and to recommend ways in which public safety agencies, the courts, and private stakeholders can efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively deliver criminal justice programs throughout the communities encompassed by Union County.

The goal of the Board is to create and coordinate methods within the Union County criminal justice system to make it more efficient, effective and productive. Based on this goal, the CJAB has established the following procedures:

1. Bring together key decision makers on a bi-monthly basis to openly discuss issues that affect the justice system.

2. Identify problems and issues, and proactively address those issues through communication, research and planning, and coordination; make informed recommendations to the criminal justice stakeholders and County officials on issues and programs that affect the criminal justice system in the County.

3. Review programming and policies, avoid duplicate spending of criminal justice units, improve programming, and initiate innovative programs and policies through working group processes.

4. Facilitate the efficient and effective administration of justice and the provision of services and programs through the Criminal Justice Advisory Board Office.

The Union County CJAB has received several awards, including the County Commissioners’ Association of Pennsylvania 2014 CJAB Best Practices Award.

For more information, please see: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1227741/union_county_cjab_strategic_plan_pdf

Union County in partnership with Columbia, Montour and Snyder counties provides an extensive and detailed network of care website for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health. It provides information about behavioral health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. It is available at:

www.columbia.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1227741/union_county_cjab_strategic_plan_pdf

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1227741/union_county_cjab_strategic_plan_pdf

http://columbia.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/


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Intercept I: Law Enforcement / Emergency Services

Emergency dispatch

The Union County 911 Center (“Public Safety”) serves as the central dispatch service for Union County. Public Safety includes a staff of 14 individuals whose training includes education on suicide prevention and mental health issues. They receive approximately 23,000 calls per year, about 1% of which are identified as mental health issues (including suicide). Regarding individuals with mental health issues, Public Safety reports several “frequent callers” who repeatedly call 911, particularly when coming off of medications.

The Pennsylvania State Police barracks in Union County operate their own dispatch service for the regional state police coverage area.

Law Enforcement

Union County is served by five municipal law enforcement districts that provide law enforcement services for the entire county. These districts range in size from the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department (15 officers) to the Hartleton Boro Police Department (1 part-time officer). Additional police departments are located in Lewisburg, Mifflinburg, and New Berlin.

The protocol for municipal police officers responding to incidents involving behavioral health issues depends upon the call: if the individuals has committed a minor violation or annoyance crime they are usually maintained in the justice system; if the individual has committed a more serious crime or is in crisis, police officers are able to make a referral for mental health services or initiate an involuntary civil commitment procedure (302 commitment). Overall, the regional police departments report a limited number of calls involving behavioral health crises. Individuals who are the subject of these calls are usually known to police. The regional police departments also report that at least three recent training modules have been on mental health, responding to crisis situations, and related topics.

For more information, see http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/counties/union/lawEnforcement_union.html.

The regional Pennsylvania State Police barracks is located in Montoursville (570-368-5700) and serves the counties of Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, and Union.

The Bucknell University Department of Public Safety (570-577-3333) oversees law enforcement on the campus of Bucknell University in Lewisburg. The Union County municipal law enforcement districts report a positive working relationship with the Bucknell University

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/counties/union/lawEnforcement_union.html


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Department of Public Safety, including the development of a “community campus response team” around sexual assaults.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office (570-524-8717) maintains sheriff responsibilities with the regional court system and other criminal justice entities in Union County, including providing assistance and co-responding services with the municipal law enforcement districts as needed. The Sheriff’s Office reports that sheriffs receive significant training in behavioral health, including 16 hours of mental health training through the Deputy Sheriff Basic Training Academy and training updates through the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). The Sheriff’s Office reports a limited number of calls related to behavioral health crises, yet notes their officers do spend a significant amount of time with individuals with behavioral health issues during transports.

CMSU Crisis/Emergency System

The CMSU Crisis/Emergency System has provided crisis services in Union County for over 30 years. CMSU provides telephone crisis services through TAPline (1-800-222-9016), a crisis response hotline that operates 24/7 in Union County. CMSU also provides mobile crisis response across Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and Union Counties. During normal working hours this includes three crisis workers and one forensic crisis worker; during off hours, there is one crisis worker on call for both Union and Snyder Counties.

Crisis workers are available to respond to the Union County Prison 24 hours per day, and the forensic crisis worker is dedicated to providing services in the Union County Prison. Crisis workers also work with municipal police departments and hospitals to respond to crisis situations in these settings. All crisis workers have been extensively trained in responding to psychiatric crisis.

Regional hospitals

Evangelical Community Hospital is located in Lewisburg and serves as the primary health care facility for Union County. It operates a 24-hour Emergency Room and several other specialty physical health services. There are no psychiatric services offered at Evangelical Community Hospital. The protocol for individuals requiring psychiatric care is to medically clear them at Evangelical Community Hospital and then transfer them to one of the regional psychiatric treatment faculties in the area. Evangelical Community Hospital operates its own transportation service, and can call the municipal law enforcement districts of Sheriff’s Office as needed.

For more information, see http://www.evanhospital.com/.

Geisinger Medical Center is located in Danville (Montour County) and serves as the primary inpatient psychiatric treatment center for Union County. Geisinger Medical Center operates a 28-bed acute inpatient unit (“BP2”) that provides assessment, medication management services, nursing care, individual and group intervention services, and follow-up outpatient treatment planning.

For more information, see http://www.geisinger.org/services/psychiatry/adult_ip.html.

http://www.evanhospital.com/

http://www.geisinger.org/services/psychiatry/adult_ip.html


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Detoxification services

Non-hospital inpatient detoxification services are provided in Union County by White Deer Run, located in Allenwood (855-231-1198). Referrals for this program are generally run through the CMSU Crisis/Emergency System.

For more information, see http://wdr-allenwood.crchealth.com/inpatient-detox/.

Victims Services The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Victim Resources website provides the following victim services resources for Union County. Further information can be found at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/find_help_in_your_county/14752.

Victim Service

Program

Type of Program Street Address City

Union County Office of Victim Witness

Education, notification, and advocacy for victims

103 South Second Street (Union County Courthouse)

Lewisburg, PA

Transitions Hotline, shelters, counseling, groups, and Legal Advocacy Coordinator

In addition, Union County residents have access to the following resources:

PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence 3605 Vartan Way, Suite 101 Harrisburg, PA 17110

daytime: 800-932-4632 24 hour hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) website: www.pcadv.org

PA Coalition Against Rape 125 North Enola Drive Enola, PA 17025

daytime: 717-728-9740 24 hour hot line: 888-772-PCAR website: www.pcar.org

PCCD Victims Compensation Program 3101 N. Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17108

daytime: 717-783-5153 800-233-2339 website: www.pccd.state.pa.us

MADD, PA State Office 408 E 4th Street #310 Bridgeport, PA 19405

daytime: 610-825-4902 24 hour hotline: 877-MADD-HELP website: http://www.madd.org/local-offices/pa/

http://wdr-allenwood.crchealth.com/inpatient-detox/

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/find_help_in_your_county/14752

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/OVA_Redirector.asp?U=www.pcadv.org

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/OVA_Redirector.asp?U=www.pcar.org

http://www.pccd.state.pa.us/

http://www.madd.org/local-offices/pa/


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The gaps and opportunities identified in this report are the result of “brain storming” during the workshop and include a broad range of input from workshop participants. These points reflect a variety of stakeholder opinions and are, therefore, subjective rather than a majority consensus.

Identified Gaps

Problems with habitual callers to 911 who have a mental illness (MI) and stop taking medications

Most MI calls initiate as nuisance calls – noise or disturbance and might not be flagged as a mental health (MH) call

No formal connections exist between Public Safety and behavioral health services in Union County

Seeing issues with suicides at hotels – three in the past year

New transient population related to fracking industry - Domestic violence (DV) and drug & alcohol (D&A) issues

Evangelical Community Hospital has no psychiatry services – must be transferred to Geisinger (22 miles away) or to The Meadows in State College (farther away)

Aging population is in need of more services/attention

Law enforcement (LE) cannot access detox facility (in Allenwood) without a referral via case managers at CMSU or crisis services

Biggest problem for CMSU crisis workers are intoxicated people (especially while driving) who get agitated or suicidal and are usually 302ed (can’t force them on detox so have to 302 for treatment or let them go)

Peer services warm line funded for six months – only three calls per weekend so the program was discontinued

Identified Opportunities

Strong informal relationships exist between emergency dispatchers, law enforcement, and crisis services

While no formal connections exist between Public Safety and behavioral health services in Union County, both entities reported informal contact and a positive working relationship.

Buffalo Valley Police Department will be moving into the same building as the Housing Authority and other community resources

State police have their own 911 center

Good relationship between police and crisis services – a lot of referrals are made

Crisis services would like better communication LE about repeated callers – would like to work more closely and form a cohesive response to those individuals

State Police and Public Safety dispatch services work well together

911 Center provides continuing education or external classes on suicide prevention and MH issues provided

Municipal law enforcement jurisdictions report a positive working relationship with the State Police

LE representatives expressed interest in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training but thought volume of MH calls might not be high enough (3-4 calls per month are MH related and most are repeat callers)


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Development of the Community Campus Response Team on Bucknell campus – Collaboration between campus police and local police to address campus sexual assaults and dating violence

LE (including sheriffs) receive update training on MH from Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC)

Deputy sheriff’s academy provides 16 hours of MH training

Sheriff open to sending deputies to CIT training– would improve safety and de-escalation during transports, and can also improve relationships with offenders who are repeatedly taken into custody

Crisis services has collaborated with local police to reduce police time spent admitting people with mental health problems into crisis services

Typically officers are not being extensively tied up with MH admissions to local hospitals

“Pretty good” wait times for police officers dropping individuals in regional hospitals

Evangelical Community Hospital has its own transportation service (unless not safe, then individuals are sedated and call PD/Sherriff if needed)


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Intercept II: Initial Detention / Initial Court Hearing

Arrest and Initial Detention

When individuals are arrested in Union County by any of the municipal police departments, they are normally initially detained and processed at the municipal police station. Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department utilizes the Central Booking Center (see below) for initial detention and process, whereas the other police departments use their own stations for intake.

Central Booking Center

The Central Booking Center for Union County is located in the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg. The Central Booking Center contains equipment for fingerprinting and processing (including Livescan and CPIN equipment and technology). The Central Booking Center is not an actively manned center; rather it is a resource available to all municipal police departments in Union County for booking services as needed.

Preliminary Arraignment

Following initial detention and booking, individuals can expect two different options depending on the seriousness of their charges: those with summary offenses, minor misdemeanors, and other less serious charges will be released; those with more serious offenses will be arraigned.

Preliminary arraignment is completed by one of the four Magisterial District Judges (MDJs) that serve the judicial district including Union and Snyder Counties. The two MDJs for Union County are The Honorable Leo S. Armbruster, based out of the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg (Magisterial District 17-3-01), and The Honorable Jeffery Mensch, based out of the Union County Government Services building in Mifflinburg (Magisterial District 17-3-02). During normal business hours, preliminary arraignment is completed by the MDJ for that region; during non-business hours preliminary arraignment is completed by the MDJ on-call (one of the four for the judicial district). Video Conferencing equipment has been installed in the Central Booking Center and in selected offices of the MDJs.

Diversion at preliminary arraignment currently consists of informal efforts on the part of the MDJs, Public Defender’s Office, and the Columbia Montour Snyder Union Counties of Central Pennsylvania Service System. This process is currently developing, and is being spearheaded by the Preston Boop, County Commissioner, with support from local stakeholders, the 17th Judicial District courts, and Gary Tennis, the Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs.


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Identified Gaps

Public Defenders Office sees only about half of criminal cases, a quarter go to private council, and the rest represent themselves

Gaps finding medical assistance (MA) payers for treatment for persons in the jail diversion program

Criminal justice population is a particular challenge to find MA dollars

Ability to enroll people in MA is based on relationship with local community supports

Housing is a problem after people are charged and cannot to return to previous residence

Central Booking at Union County Courthouse, but not every one using it (most booking done at local stations)


Central booking not staffed 24 hours a day but the equipment is always available for anyone who needs to use it

New pre-trial diversion opportunities for people with drug problems at arraignment – getting treatment instead of waiting in jail (program just started in February, and is operating in coordination with CMSU)

County representation open to use pre-trial diversion for people with MH diagnosis– the number of people with MH problems in the court system is relatively small in county

Systems work together well together to divert people when needed on an informal basis

Local LE do great job of diversion and linking with CMSU

CMSU can ask for people to be released release on recognizance (ROR) so they can be checked into hospital to receive services


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Intercept III: Jails / Courts

Union County Prison

The Union County Prison is administered by the Union County Prison Board, which is comprised of the three County Commissioners, the Sheriff, and the District Attorney. The Union County Prison is located in the ground floor of the Union County Courthouse (103 South Second Street; Phone: 570-524-8711).

The Union County Prison can house 35 individuals. As of March 2014, the census for the jail was 55 individuals, with many of these inmates being housed in several surrounding counties. Between 2012 and 2013, the average daily jail population dropped from 70 to 60 inmates per day. Other options open to the jail include early diversion, the Day Reporting Center (see Intercept IV, below, for more information), and the Justice Bridge Housing Program/Family Self Sufficiency Program (see Intercept V, below, or more information).

Of the approximately 402 individuals entering the Union County Prison each year, it is estimated that 5% have mental health issues and 85% have drug and alcohol issues. Approximately 46% are estimated to be repeat offenders. As of March 2014, there were two inmates on psychiatric medications, managed by the Columbia Montour Snyder Union Counties of Central Pennsylvania Service System (CMSU). CMSU also provides approximately two hours of psychiatry time in the Union County Prison per month, which is flexible based on need. If someone in jail is experiencing a mental health crisis, a CMSU forensic crisis worker is available to go into the jail to provide services. When individuals on psychiatric medications are released from the Union County Prison they are provided with two to seven days of aftercare medications.

Courts

The 17th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas is a trial court of general jurisdiction handling all civil and criminal matter. The 17th Judicial District includes both Union and Snyder Counties and is served by a two-judge Judicial District. The Honorable Michael H. Sholley, President Judge, has his chambers in the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg (103 South Second Street; Phone: 570-524-8641) and The Honorable Michael T. Hudock has his chambers in the Snyder County Courthouse in Middleburg (9 West Market Street; Phone: 570-837-4238). The 17th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas oversees two treatment courts: the Drug Treatment Court and the DUI Treatment Court (for more general information about these courts, see www.treatmentcourt.org).

The Drug Treatment Court was developed through the Union and Snyder County Criminal Justice Advisory Boards and became operational effective July 1, 2008. The Drug Treatment Court, partially funded through a grant secured from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of

http://www.treatmentcourt.org/


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Justice Programs, serves as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, drug-dependent offenders. Stakeholders include CMSU (including a dedicated case manager), the Public Defender’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Probation, and the Union County Commissioner. The Drug Treatment Court has been formally accredited through the Problem Solving Courts Program Office, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

The program incorporates a variety of supervisory techniques including intensive offender supervision, electronic monitoring, frequent random drug screens, counseling, and regular appearances before the Court. Conditions for participation include pleading guilty to their criminal charges (and waiver of other important rights), and completing a Court-ordered diagnostic evaluation and treatment program. Non-compliance with these conditions could result in (a) a modification to their treatment program, (b) revocation of release from incarceration, or (c) termination from the program resulting in a sentencing hearing. The Drug Treatment Court meets every other Wednesday throughout the year in the Union County Courthouse. Union County Probation has one probation officer dedicated to the Drug Treatment Court, and CMSU has one case manager dedicated to the Drug Treatment Court. Additionally, a “wellness nurse” through Community Care Behavioral Health is available to participants in the Drug Treatment Court.

According to the 17th Judicial District Treatment Court Fast Facts, as of July 2013, the Drug Treatment Court had accepted 76 individuals into the program across both Union and Snyder Counties, of whom 25 were removed and 22 graduated. Of these 22 graduates, 2 have been arrested for a new crime. Further, 29 were listed as on the active roster, 20 of whom were employed. As of March 2014, the CMSU case manager reported having approximately 18 participants on her caseload, with several additional individuals in process.

Drug court graduates have an active alumni group who participate in community events and act as mentors for new participants that come through the court.

For more information, see https://sites.google.com/a/unionco.org/uccourts/treatment-forms.

The DUI Treatment Court was established in 2011 to serve residents of Union County charged with certain DUI offenses (i.e., 2nd Offense, 3rd Tier; 3rd Offense, 2nd Tier; 3rd Offense, 3rd Tier) and have a moderate to severe substance dependence. Offenders facing parole or probation revocations for substance use related violations are also eligible for placement into DUI Treatment Court, provided the underlying offense was a DUI. As of March 2014, Union County Probation has one probation officer dedicated to the DUI Treatment Court, and CMSU has one case manager dedicated to the DUI Treatment Court. Additionally, a “wellness nurse” through Community Care Behavioral Health is available to participants in the DUI Treatment Court.

Conditions for participation include pleading guilty to their criminal charges (and waiver of other important rights), and completing a Court-ordered diagnostic evaluation and treatment program. Non-compliance with these conditions could result in (a) a modification to their treatment program, (b) revocation of release from incarceration, or (c) termination from the program resulting in a sentencing hearing. As of March 2014, the DUI Treatment Court had applied for accreditation through the Problem Solving Courts Program Office, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

According to the 17th Judicial District Treatment Court Fast Facts, as of July 2013, the DUI Treatment Court had accepted 71 individuals into the program across Union and Snyder Counties, of whom 7 were removed and 42 graduated. Of these graduates, none had been

https://sites.google.com/a/unionco.org/uccourts/treatment-forms


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arrested for a new crime. Further, 21 were listed as on the active roster, 19 of whom were employed.

For more information, see https://sites.google.com/a/unionco.org/uccourts/treatment-forms.

Federal and State Prisons

The federal Bureau of Prisons operates one U.S. Penitentiary and three U.S. Correctional Institutions in Union County. The United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, is a high-security United States federal prison for male inmates located in Kelly Township. The Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex includes three correctional facilities: Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Low; Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood Medium; and United States Penitentiary, Allenwood (a high-security facility). All three facilities are for male inmates only.

Identified Gaps

Union County Prison has 35 beds - outdated and unable to house the average daily inmate population of 60 offenders

Starting programming in the jail is challenging due to lack of space for programming such as group counseling, instructional classes, and re-entry services

Union County Prison is not able to house female inmates (approximately 11 women are on the overall jail census at any given time)

Union County Commissioners budget $1 million annually to pay for the out-of-county housing of inmates (with most offenders being housed in neighboring Snyder County)

- Union County paid approximately $845,000 in 2012 to house individuals outside the county

Some challenges cooperating with Snyder County on Drug and DUI courts

Discretion for eligibility for processing in specialty courts comes from DA’s office and not other stakeholders

Some interest in developing a MH court although others feel there are not numbers to support and existing system successfully deals with individuals with MI

No dedicated grant writers – staff from various agencies taking time out of regular duties to write grants on an as-needed basis

A lot of admissions of repeat MH cases in jail

Four federal prisons in the county – and family members of federal inmates sometimes relocate in the local community

Concern that gangs from Philadelphia may be spreading into Union County – anyone with suspected gang affiliation is sent to out-of-county jail

Some victims have expressed resistance to treatment courts because they are not seen as punitive enough

Victims have limited ability to refuse that their case be handled in treatment court

Not much involvement from victim in treatment court proceedings other than written reports from Victims Services office

https://sites.google.com/a/unionco.org/uccourts/treatment-forms


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Union County began to address the issue of jail overcrowding with an assessment of the jail and the court system conducted by National Institute of Corrections (NIC), which performed an additional assessment of Union and Snyder Counties to evaluate the possibility of creating a regional jail (the CJAB has begun looking into suggestions from these two assessments, and this is an on-going process)

People who come into jail with severe problems are diverted from jail as fast as possible through informal cross-systems collaboration

MH is not a pressing issue for the jail (19 out of 406 jail admissions are people who are on psych meds)

Crisis workers available to jail 24 hours a day

MH cases in jail generally known to CMSU (but not always since some come in due to businesses, rural county, the highway, or the state prisons)

A lot of community efforts in place to help keep people out of jail for reasons including overcrowding

Electronic monitoring is used when possible to reduce jail days

Some interest in expanding DUI/Drug court to a larger BH court and include MH and veterans

Probation officer and CSMU case manager assigned to specialty courts

Initial funding from BJA implementation grant – then PENN DOT funding for DUI and PCCD funding for drug court – a lot of different resources have supported these courts

CMSU provides both D&A and MH services rather than two separate county agencies

Courts are able to link people with veteran mentors when needed through Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist (VJO) at Wilkes-Barre Veterans Administration Medical Center – VJO is willing to go to local jails and meet with inmates

Treatment courts offer opportunities to engage people in treatment who otherwise wouldn’t accept treatment willingly

Probation conditions could be placed on release to comply with MH treatment – but probation doesn’t have the access to same set of immediate consequences that treatment courts do

President Judge is a veteran and supportive of veteran issues

Drug court is accredited through Supreme court as following key components model

Accreditation for DUI court is pending

Low recidivism for treatment court graduates (0 DUI court re-arrests, 2 drug court re-arrests)

Active alumni group for drug court graduates – outreach into the community and serve as mentors in the courts

“Wellness nurse” is available to people in the county in recovery and to participants in the treatment courts

A probation officer dedicated to each treatment court in the county

Average daily jail population has decreased over the last two years - most likely a result of Day Reporting Center


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Intercept IV: Re-Entry

Union County Day Reporting Center

In an effort to address the prison overcrowding, the Union County CJAB formed a subcommittee to explore possible solutions the county could implement. In June 2007, the subcommittee toured the then newly constructed Franklin County Prison and Day Reporting Center. After the visit, the subcommittee agreed that a day reporting center was a viable option for addressing Union County’s prison overcrowding, and would also have a positive impact on the recidivism rates among probationers and parolees.

The Union County Day Reporting Center (DRC) opened in 2012 utilizing a federally donated facility and partial funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Programming at the DRC begin in early 2013 and currently receives clients from multiple sources, including through diversion sentencing, as a condition of formal sentencing, work release from the Union County Prison, and as a condition of probation. Union County Probation supports a dedicated probation officer based out of the DRC to coordinate services and supervise offenders.

DRC services include substance abuse counseling (contracted through Gaudenzia) as well as community service, GED preparation, vocational preparation, parenting classes, anger management classes, financial management workshops, community garden program, and job searching. As of March 2014 there were approximately 30 individuals on the DRC roster. Approximately 75% receive substance abuse counseling. The maximum roster for the DRC is currently capped at 50 individuals. Data collection regarding rates of recidivism is on-going at the DRC and will begin to be analyzed after 2 years of operation.

Union County Assistance Office

The Union County Assistance Office provides assistance and a range of services for residents of Union County. The County Assistance Office collaborates with the 17th Judicial District, Union County Probation, and various services providers in Union County to help with re-entry services.

The Union County Assistance Office is located at 1610 Industrial Boulevard in Lewisburg and can be reached at 877-628-2003 (toll free) or 570-524-2201.

For more information, see http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/findfacilsandlocs/countyassistanceofficecontactinformation/.

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/findfacilsandlocs/countyassistanceofficecontactinformation/


23

Veterans Services

Union County is served by the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, located at 1111 East End Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre with business hours (Phone: 570-824-3521 or 877-928-2621). Individuals can also reach the VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday.

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (http://www.wilkes-barre.va.gov/index.asp) has a Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialist, Kim Sapolis Lacey, to coordinate diversion services for veterans in the criminal justice system (570-824-3521 or [email protected]).. For more information on the Veterans Justice Outreach Initiative and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), please see Guide 7 – “Information Sheet on Justice-Involved Veterans for Judicial System” located in the Resource Guide Document (http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/documents/COE%20Resource%20Guide%20Template%206-14-13%20%20REVISED.pdf)

The Office of Veteran’s Affairs also assists Union County veterans and their families in applying for local, state, and federal veteran's programs. The Office of Veteran’s Affairs is located in the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg (155 N. 15th Street; Phone: 570-524-8676). State Prison Re-entry

Service providers in Union County receive a roster of County residents in state correctional institutions on the mental health roster to assist in re-entry planning. This information is sent periodically to CMSU, whose forensic workers follow up with these persons upon release.

Identified Gaps More work could be done to coordinate between probation and CMSU on jail

releases with MH problems

Gaps for some people who are prescribed medication in jail and follow up appointments – some don’t follow up and end up getting put back in jail to (they restart medication but don’t engage in long-term treatment)

75-80% of DRC clients have addiction problems

DRC currently doesn’t offer MH counseling or other specific MH services

Very little public transportation in county – difficult for offenders on probation and others to get to appointments at multiple agencies

Re-entry process for state prison inmates with MI is a ”total disaster” – inadequate transfer of information from state to county, and a lack of collaboration between state prisons and local service providers

State inmates who max out without home plans have been simply dropped off on the street in the county

Unpredictable jail releases are more difficult to follow up with – if CMSU doesn’t know individuals are being released from jails or prisons, it’s hard to catch them early on (missing liaison, harder to find)

CMSU case managers using paper applications for MA because Compass online is difficult to use for persons in jail

http://www.wilkes-barre.va.gov/index.asp

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/documents/COE%20Resource%20Guide%20Template%206-14-13%20%20REVISED.pdf

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/documents/COE%20Resource%20Guide%20Template%206-14-13%20%20REVISED.pdf


24

- Prior experience using Compass did not show improvement in turnaround time for MA benefits – time to revisit the issue of using Compass


Case manager submits MA paperwork for people being released from jail on the day of release

The process to sign up released inmates for MA typically takes 10 days (but turnaround time not consistent)

People released from jail required to have two days of meds but jail usually gives seven days

DRC serves approximately 30 people at a time – room for growth (DRC probation officer can handle 50, facility can handle more)

DRC probation officer on site full time - has a caseload of mostly DRC clients

Variety of services provided by DRC (D&A treatment, GED classes, resume help)

Work release from jail goes to DRC and can receive treatment

Community garden is part of work release program from jail

DRC can monitor community service sentences

DRC contains state of the art kitchen –plans to start a food service/safety course

DRC provides transportation to the facility

DRC can be a replacement for jail days for women with non-serious charges (they cannot be housed in Union County Prison)

Released inmates who are known to MH services before release usually get to psychiatric appointments within a week of release

DRC is unique in that it doesn’t have a contracted service for programming – rather programming is all in-house, which means a lot more control over programming and modifications based on need

DRC open to providing services for MH population (fee-for-service?)

Multiple ideas being brought in from other communities by Commissioner Boop


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Intercept V: Community Corrections / Community Support

Union County Adult & Juvenile Probation

Probation supervision in Union County is provided by the Union County Adult & Juvenile Probation Department (“Union County Probation”). Union County Probation consists of a Chief Probation Officer, four Adult Probation Officers, and two Juvenile Probation Officers. Two additional Adult Probation Officers are designated to treatment court, including one for the Drug Treatment Court and one for the DUI Treatment Court (see Intercept III, above, for more information). One Adult Probation Officer is based out the Union County DRC to coordinate services (see Intercept IV, above, for more information). Union County Probation is located in the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg (103 S. Second Street; Phone: 570-524-8741 or 570-524-8746).

As of March 2014, the caseload for Union County Probation officers ranged from 100-140 individuals, approximately 75-100 are under active supervision. In additional to traditional supervision techniques, Union County Probation utilizes electronic monitoring, Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) devices, and Sleeptime. According to the 17th Judicial District Treatment Court Fast Facts, as of July 2013, an estimated 9,707 jail days had been saved in DUI Treatment Court with the use of electronic monitoring and SCRAM devices.

Probation works with other stakeholders during the pre-sentence investigation to get as much information, including behavioral health, as possible for the court system. They also work with the courts and other community stakeholders to ensure conditions of sentences include appropriate services, including mental health treatment, drug and alcohol treatment, and using legal leverage to motivate them to keep in touch with their case workers. Union County Probation also works closely with case workers to ensure continuity of care. As of March 2014, Probation reported a limited number of clients with primary psychiatric issues, and no particular problems with their mental health caseload.

A Community Services Program was established in 2001 in the Courts and Union County Probation whereby inmates and probationers are assigned to community work projects in a supervisory setting for non-profit organizations in the County.

For more information, see http://unioncountypa.org/residents/government/courts/probation/default.asp.

http://unioncountypa.org/residents/government/courts/probation/default.asp


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Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole

Parole supervision in Union County is provided by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole out of the Williamsport District Office (450 Little League Boulevard, Williamsport, PA; Phone: 570.327.3575). For more information, see http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/.

Columbia Montour Snyder Union Counties of Central Pennsylvania Service System

The Columbia Montour Snyder Union Counties of Central Pennsylvania Service System (CMSU) provides a wide range of mental health, intellectual disability and drug & alcohol services to the citizens of Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each year, CMSU and its network of providers serve over 4,000 people. Their mission is to participate actively in a community-wide partnership to support the residents of Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties in achieving independence and personal development in order to enhance their quality of life. To qualify for services within the CMSU system, individuals must live within the boundaries of Columbia, Montour, Snyder or Union Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Individuals experiencing behavioral health issues can call CMSU Base Service Unit (570-275-4962). They are then transferred to a triage person who will schedule an appointment as soon as possible to assess the extent of the problem and recommend appropriate treatment. CMSU provides the following behavioral health services:

Mental health services Drug and Alcohol services

Intake Vocational Support Inpatient Detoxification

Assessment & Referral Assistance

Consumer Support Services Inpatient Rehabilitation

Case Management Outpatient Halfway House

Residential Partial Hospitalization Partial Hospitalization

Nursing Inpatient Outpatient Counseling

Drop-In Centers Intensive Case Management Treatment Programs Designed Specifically for

Pregnant Women and Women with Children

Children's After-School Program

Family Based Program

School-Based Mental Health Services

Resource Coordination Program

Information Regarding HIV/AIDS

Student Assistance Program Crisis Program

Psychosocial Psychiatric Services

Rehabilitation

http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/


27

CMSU currently employs one full-time and four part-time peer specialists for mental health treatment, including two who have undergone training in core competencies. These peer specialists have informally gone into area jails to work with peers, and none of the peer specialists have forensic experience. CMSU is also building a program for certified recovery specialists for drug and alcohol treatment, in partnership with White Deer Run (see below). As of March 2014, one recovery specialist had been hired for Drug Treatment Court and one recovery specialist had been hired for DUI Treatment Court (see Intercept III, above, for more information). CMSU also supports a Wellness Nurse who works with Drug Treatment Court clients (see Intercept III, above, for more information), particularly around co-occurring medical complications. CMSU also provides housing services for its clients.

The CMSU Administrative Office (including intensive case management services) is located in the Terrace Building (First Floor) of the Danville State Hospital in Danville (570-275-5422). The Behavioral Health Base Service Unit is located at 603 East Market Street in Danville (570-275-4962 or 1-800-676-4412).

For more information, see http://www.cmsu.org/.

Union County Housing Authority

The Union County Housing Authority (UCHA) offers a comprehensive program of services for residents of Union County. Services include (among others) elderly housing development and management, family housing management, homeowner rehabilitation, home purchasing programs, and homeownership education. The funding for these programs comes from the federal and state governments and from service fees. No direct county taxes are received for housing programs. With a five-member voluntary board of directors, an annual budget of $4,000,000, and 14 full-time and 5 part-time staff, the UCHA has been recognized on the national and state levels for its innovative programs for Codes and Sewage Enforcement and development of a county-wide Community Services Center housed in a previously underutilized industrial building.

For more information about UCHA, see http://www.unioncountyhousingauthority.org/.

The Justice Bridge Housing Program/Family Self Sufficiency Program (JBHP) was established in 2011 between the Union County Jail and Union County Housing Authority. The JBHP is partially funded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DPW/OMHSAS). The grant award from PCCD in the amount of $71,896 and provides supportive housing for a projected six participants diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder that are justice involved. JBHP adopted a model used by UCHA that includes a prescribed lease entered into by the landlord and participant and a housing assistance payment agreement entered into by the landlord and the UCHA. Funds are also used to pay security deposits and payment of any damage to the property. Participants are expected to contribute approximately 30 percent of their income towards the rent with the ultimate goal of the participant assuming 100 percent of the rent over a period of time. JBHP organizers felt this approach was less expensive and would likely be accepted by local landlords. The primary objective of JBHP is to eventually facilitate the transition of the participant into permanent housing via the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV); participants therefore apply to JBHP and Section 8 at same time, and are usually supported through JBHP for about 1 year before transitioning over to Section 8 for long-term support.

http://www.cmsu.org/

http://www.unioncountyhousingauthority.org/


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The lease is governed by the Terms of Tenancy under state landlord tenant laws and terms of HCV programs, even though HCV funds are not initially used. By following this agreement, when grant funds are expended, a tenant can move seamlessly into the HCV program. Once a participant enters the HCV program, the housing assistance payment agreement will end and HCV program regulations will begin.

As of March 2014, 10 participants had been placed into temporary or bridge housing, and approximately 3 individuals were still being processed. It is estimated that JBHP has saved 317 jail days and approximately $85,000 for Union County to date.

For more information about JBHP, see http://www.housingalliancepa.org/sites/default/files/resources/10-16-13_JPHP%20for%20HA.pdf.

White Deer Run

White Deer Run, Inc., operates a network of behavioral health care facilities throughout Pennsylvania, including several in Union County. The admissions process into White Deer Run begins with a complete assessment of the individual’s treatment needs, followed by a funding coverage assessment. Admissions are conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

White Deer Run – Allenwood is an inpatient facility located at 360 White Deer Road in Allenwood (Phone: 800-255-2335). White Deer Run – Allenwood offers non-hospital based detoxification and rehabilitation—including Buprenorphine Detox and Vivitrol Treatment—as well as specialty groups that focus on a variety of topics such as relapse prevention, co-occurring disorders, coping skills, life skills development, men’s and women’s issues, a LGB group, an African-American group, and continuing care planning.

White Deer Run of Lewisburg is an outpatient facility located at 115 Farley Circle in Lewisburg (Phone: 570-522-0873 or 877-907-6237). Services include chemical dependency assessment and referral, group and individual counseling, and intensive outpatient treatment. White Deer Run of Lewisburg also supports several certified recovery specialists. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm (Saturdays and evenings by appointment only).

Psychological Services Clinics

Psychological Services Clinics provides a variety of psychological assessment and intervention services, including (among others) drug and alcohol treatment (outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment), expert court testimony, and court witness training. They have clinics located at 352 Arch Street in Sunbury (570-286-5081), 405 Bloom Road in Danville (570-275-7770), and 140 Market Street in Bloomsburg (570-389-1249).

For more information, see http://www.psychservicesclinics.com/.

Faith Based Services

Various faith-based organizations provide services for criminal justice stakeholders in Union County. Examples include the Lewisburg Council of Churches providing short-term food and housing services and providing community service opportunities at area food banks for Union County Probation, and the Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church providing short-term

http://www.housingalliancepa.org/sites/default/files/resources/10-16-13_JPHP%20for%20HA.pdf

http://www.housingalliancepa.org/sites/default/files/resources/10-16-13_JPHP%20for%20HA.pdf

http://www.psychservicesclinics.com/


29

supplemental help as needed. Additionally, various faith-based organizations provide volunteer services within Union County Prison.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide a 24-hour phone service where individuals can access the schedule of meetings in Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union counties. The AA phone services can be accessed at (570) 286-7436, and the NA phone service can be accessed at (570) 988-7177.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses. Union County is served by the NAMI Pennsylvania Central Susquehanna Valley Area Chapter, which identifies and works on issues most important to consumers and their friends and family in Union County. The NAMI Pennsylvania Central Susquehanna Valley Area Chapter is located in Danville and can be reached at 570-441-5763 or [email protected].

For more information, see http://www.nami.org/MSTemplate.cfm?MicrositeID=301.

Union-Snyder Community Action Agency

The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency (CAA) was formed in 1979 through a joint effort of the Union and Snyder County Commissioners and concerned citizens. The Joinder Board of Commissioners has governed the CAA since its inception, with input from an Advisory Committee of community, low-income, and local government representatives. Agency funding comes from local, state, and federal sources.

The CAA provides a range of services for residents of Union County, including information & referral, housing assistance, energy assistance, food referrals, and transportation assistance. Family-specific services include the Work Ready Program, Supportive Housing Program, family self-sufficiency, home ownership initiatives, and Leadership in Strengths-based Family Work.

For more information, see http://www.union-snydercaa.org/.


http://www.nami.org/MSTemplate.cfm?MicrositeID=301

http://www.union-snydercaa.org/


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Identified Gaps

75-100 on each probation officer caseload

Need for life skills and financial management training for transitioning individuals

Grant writing done by Probation in-house with consultation from other services – hard to keep up on, hard to apply on time with other responsibilities, hard to know if sustainable

CMSU reports big problem with housing

Only two peer specialists have undergone core competency training

No forensic peer specialists in the county

Medical Assistance benefits can be suspended when an offender on probation is behind on court fees – puts probation officers in difficult position

Faith-based community attempting to establish half-way house for women, but have not been able to find a location without community resistance


Defendants with SMI usually identified during pre-sentence investigation by a probation officer (PO)

Case workers and POs work well together

Unusual to have someone with SMI on probation – when there is a serious case, level of services is ramped up (e.g. when a person experiences a stressful event and needs elevated services)

Probation is progressive about incorporating latest technology

Preliminary discussion of taking Treatment Court model and incorporating status hearing day – discussed adding built in days* to apply leverage to comply with conditions

- *adding court days to the calendar for status hearings for offenders that are not in Treatment Court but would benefit from being in front of the Judge more often – individuals would have to explain to judge why aren’t complying/following through

Veterans identified during intake into probation

CMSU working with CCBH and White Deer Run to develop Recovery Oriented Systems of Care center of excellence to target barriers for behavioral health services

Justice Bridge Housing /Family Self-Sufficiency program for CJ population ---people often placed within two weeks

Good relationship between CJ system and Housing Authority since beginning of Justice Bridge program

CMSU is a solid presence on review board for Justice Bridge program

Justice Bridge Housing /Family Self-Sufficiency program structured similar to HUD Section 8 so easy transition to long-term housing support

One full time and four part time Certified Peer Specialists in county

Two peer specialists in county have been trained in court competencies

Peer specialists will be attending a training to learn about military personnel and families

Current Certified Peer Specialists do visit inmates in jail

Certified Recovery Specialist program infancy stage – One graduate of each DUI and drug courts could be CRS, there is a training program that must be completed


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Faith-based food banks provide opportunities for community service hours for returning offenders

Faith-based community may be able to provide more assistance in reentry


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Union County Priorities Following the completion of the Cross-Systems Mapping exercise, the assembled stakeholders began to define specific areas of activity that could be mobilized to address the gaps and opportunities identified in the group discussion about the cross-systems map. Listed below are the priority areas identified by the workshop participants and the votes received for each proposed priority.

Listed below is a list of revised/ condensed priority areas identified by the workshop participants as a group on Day two.

Top Priorities for Union County

1. Continue formal cross-systems collaboration in the future (21 total; 7 high)

2. Expand transportation options for adults with justice involvement (18 total; 9 high)

3. Lack of crisis/emergency services (especially housing) for adults with justice involvement (age 18-59) (13 total; 6 high)

4. Expand support services for families (8 total; 2 high)

5. Expand pathways to permanent housing (8 total; 1 high)

6. Expand employment opportunities for adults with justice involvement (7 total; 3 high)

7. Getting County Assistance Office to the table to support transition out of justice system (7 total; 3 high priorities)

8. Address transitional youth population and foster youth (7 total; 2 high)

9. Hire more probation officers (4 total; 0 high)

10. Expand programming in Union County Prison (3 total; 0 high)

11. Continue cross training (2 total; 1 high)

12. Expand certified recovery specialist training (2 total; 0 high)

13. Expand community-based support for adults with justice involvement (2 total; 0 high)

14. Expand mentoring and support for participants of treatment courts (1 total; 0 high)

15. Focus more on “frequent flyers” of criminal justice and behavioral health services

Revised Top Priorities

Priority Area 1: Continue formal cross-systems collaboration in the future: Develop “Mapsters” group

Priority Area 2: Expand transportation options for adults with justice involvement

Priority Area 3: Accessing benefits and health insurance for pretrial diversion and reentry

Priority Area 4: Expand housing and employment options for adults with justice involvement

Priority Area 5: Continue to develop cross-training between behavioral health, justice, and related systems

Priority Area 6: Expand support services for families and address transitional youth population and foster youth

Priority Area 7: Expand programming in Union County Prison and Day Reporting Center

Priority Area 8: Expand certified recovery specialist training


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Union County Action Plan

Priority: Moving Forward

Objective Action Step Who When

1.1 Draft of CSM report COE staff By 4/1

1.2 Planning group to review and finalize

CSM Report

Strategic plan revisions

Mapping planning group

1.3 Send out draft to CJAB members prior to next CJAB meeting

Mapping planning group

Next CJAB meeting is 5/22

Priority Area 1: Develop “Mapsters” group --- Continue cross-systems collaboration


1.1 Start with stakeholders involved in Cross-Systems Mapping and Taking Action for a Change workshops

1.2 Expand stakeholders involved

Community Action Agency

USTA

Children and Youth

OVR

State Police

DPW

CAO

CareerLink

Bucknell Police

Bucknell Psychological Center

Agency on Aging

District Attorney’s Office

Administrator from Evangelical Hospital

Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA) Supervisor

Representatives and Senators

Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist

County veterans

Local faith-based services


34

1.3 Find facilitator for “Mapsters” group

1.4 Further cross-systems collaboration

Consider grants

PCCD training funds

Reentry funds (look to example from Lackawanna County)

Mini technical assistance for CJAB

1.5 Half-day or full-day conference in the Fall

Goal is resource sharing and expansion

Plenary, lunch, breakout sessions, provider and vendor fair

Find funding

Consider charging fee from vendors

Karen Nicholson

Mike Millett

1.6 Consider formalizing collaboration

Prepare for sustainable collaboration

Establish formal connections between organizations

Priority Area 2: Expand transportation options for adults with justice involvement


1.1 Involve private sector County Commissioner to consider speaking at Chamber of Commerce

Preston Boop

1.2 Consider community resources for transportation

Transportation service for Mennonite community

United Way

Community Action Agency

Faith-based volunteers

Disabled vets van to VAMC

Van at Government Center

1.3 Consider working with Bucknell’s small business administration (incubator office)

1.4 Examine Lycoming’s expansion into rural


35

areas

1.5 Discussions with USTA regarding expansion

Qualify people needing services and medical needs

1.6 Look further into CAA grant for mileage reimbursement

1.7 Establish working group to spearhead initiative

Scott Kerstetter

Naaman Morris

Steve Russell (?)

Priority Area 3: Accessing benefits and health insurance for pretrial diversion and reentry


1.1 Work with Maureen Barden of PA Health

Patty Griffin to put stakeholders in contact with Maureen Barden

Set up conference call with Maureen Barden, stakeholders, and Patty Griffin

Barbara Gorrell

Jennifer Lombardo

Jeff Mensch

ASAP

1.2 Explore implications of Healthy PA

ASAP

1.3 Share information from Community Oriented Correctional Health Services (COCHS) national conference

Patty Griffin and COE staff

By 4/11

Priority Area 4: Expand housing and employment options for adults with justice involvement


1.1 Expand emergency housing options (biggest priority)

To avoid jail – two nights in a hotel costs as much as one in jail

Provide time to explore and develop options

Explore funding options

Consider local options (e.g., vacant parsonages)

Focus on individuals within Union County (versus transient population)

Consider how to handle


36

transient population

Investigate “warming site” for short-term emergency housing in winter

1.2 Look at local examples Involve Union/Snyder workgroup on transitional youth

Clinton County Housing Authority

1.3 Address sustainability of housing options

1.4 Explore and expand employment options for justice involved individuals

Walter Everett has list of employment options for ex-offenders

Continue to develop employment options available through Day Reporting Center

Reach out to employment experts in community (e.g., OVR, CareerLink, CAA)

Explore better preparation for employment

Reach out to Ron Kline (Retired Federal Reentry)

Utilize community service partners to build experience and prepare individuals for paid employment

Explore use of federal tax credits for felons

Utilize the Get to Work Program through CAA (8 weeks)

Explore private and for-profit funding sources (e.g., donations, foundations, companies)

Consider communications and/or development subcommittee of CJAB

Invite business leaders

1.5 Establish workgroup to continue initiative

Joe Baker

Walter Everett


37

Bruce (UCHA)

Amanda DePauw

Ron Kline (?)

OVR rep

CareerLink rep

Priority Area 5: Continue to develop cross-training between behavioral health, justice, and related systems


1.1 Use proposed mini-conference or develop additional conference

Build from local resources and individuals with expertise – of their organizations and linkages to services

Consider presenters: Donna Pinter

Focus on making things happen

Involve Agency on Aging (trends, services, dissemination)

Consider transportation

1.2 Mental Health First Aid Training for probation

Utilize CMSU provider

Consider across community

Rich Beach

Scott Kerstetter

1.3 Problem solving and multi-disciplinary training

Focus on training for frontline staff

Similar to Adult CASSP (Child and Adolescent Service System Program)

Focus on frequent users

1.4 Training in forensic psychiatry

Prescribed medications

Appropriate and inappropriate usage of medications

Use and abuse of prescription medications

Overdose

Withdrawal in correctional settings

Bath salts

Andre Nemoianu


38

For probation, police, jail, behavioral health

Include in mini-conference

1.5 Focus on latest trends Attorney General Drug Task Force

State Police Drug Task Force

Mental Health First Aid


Scott Kerstetter

Rich Beach

Jennifer Lombardo

(Coordinate with Karen Nicholson)

Priority Area 6: Expand support services for families and address transitional youth population and foster youth


1.1 Build on existing Union/Snyder Counties group

Meeting 4/28 at 11am

1.2 Utilize NAMI Central Susquehanna Valley

Reach out to establish connections

Phil Keating

Dave Lilley

1.3 Expand work around financial skills and management


Donna Pinter

Shelley Smith

Naaman Morris

Judy Jones

Priority Area 7: Expand programming in Union County Prison


1.1 Explore The Change Companies workbooks

Receive information about The Change Companies

Utilize workbooks to maximize existing services (via CMSU)

Explore possibility of using

Patty Griffin and COE staff

Rich Beach

ASAP


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commissary funds

Explore for work release

1.2 Explore bringing in mental health services to Day Reporting Center

CMSU could provide

Focus on groups on co-occurring disorders

Recovery Center offers groups

1.3 Expand programming on financial skills and management

Expand beyond one-on-one, as needed service to formal groups

Priority Area 8: Expand certified recovery specialist training


1.1 Address high costs associated with training, and length of trainings spread over time

Must find employment for individuals being trained (usually with treatment providers)

Continue and expand education and outreach

Take advantage of existing services and opportunities

1.2 Begin to incorporate certified recovery specialists into justice system

1.3 Incorporate certified recovery specialist program in mini-conference

Program overview

Include training component (with credits) to reduce costs for those being trained


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Conclusion

Participants in the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop showed much enthusiasm in working together to improve the continuum of resources available for people with severe mental illness and often co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the Union County criminal justice system. Union County is poised to tackle a number of critical issues that will greatly improve services for this group. The assembled stakeholders spent time gaining a greater understanding of their shared systems, as well as crafting strategies related to improving the collaborative infrastructure for the group and addressing the gaps and opportunities at each intercept.

Considerable work has already been undertaken to improve services for people with severe mental illness and often co-occurring substance use disorders involved in the Union County criminal justice system. Treatment courts, piloting of pre-trial diversion, Day Reporting Center, specialized case management, coordinated behavioral health services, Justice Bridge Housing Program, and informal crisis services collaboration with police are some examples of current Union County initiatives. Union County has also developed some thoughtful data through the Treatment Court Fast Facts to begin to provide a clearer understanding of the issues being discussed. In addition, the development of a “Mapsters” group to continue cross-systems collaboration, planning a mini-conference including behavioral health and justice stakeholders and service providers, expanding access to community services, continuing to develop the certified peer specialist and certified recovery specialist programs, and Mental Health First Aid are promising community efforts that generated a good deal of interest during the workshop. Local stakeholders participating in the Cross-Systems Mapping were clearly interested in building on current successes to better serve this population.

The expansion of the planning group to tackle the priorities established during the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop is an essential next step in a true systems change process. It will be important to create effective working relationships with other groups that did not attend the workshop, including other police jurisdictions, NAMI, Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, local Judges and Magisterial District Judges, state correctional institution officials, hospital administrators, Adult Parole, the Social Security Administration, vocational training services, faith-based organizations, County Assistance Office, and other local peers. Regular meetings should be held by this larger group to facilitate information sharing, planning, networking, development and coordination of resources, and problem solving. The “Mapsters” priority area is a great start to this effort.

Closing

Union County is fortunate to have a wide range of stakeholders across the mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice systems that have made significant efforts to understand and support the challenging issues discussed in this workshop. The Cross-Systems Mapping workshop gave stakeholders a chance to develop a coordinated strategy to move forward with the identified priorities.

By reconvening and supporting the work of the group in coming months, it will be possible to maintain the momentum created during the Cross-Systems Mapping workshop and build on the creativity and drive of key local stakeholders. The Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence hopes to continue its relationship with Union County and to observe its progress. Please visit the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence website for more information, www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu.

http://www.pacenterofexcellence.pitt.edu/


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Appendix A: Participant List

Last Name, First Name

Agency / Title Phone E-Mail

Beach, Richard Deputy Administrator, CMSU

(570) 275-5422

[email protected]

Boop, Preston Commissioner, Union County

(570) 524-8638

[email protected]

Bridges, Mary Anne Section 8 Coordinator, Union County Housing Authority

(570) 522-1300

[email protected]

Brown, Jeffrey Correctional Officer, Union County Jail

(570) 524-8711

[email protected]

Cashner, Cathy Crisis Intervention Specialist, CMSU

(570) 275-4962

[email protected]

DePauw, Amanda Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-3827

[email protected]

DiRocco, Mark

Superintendent, Lewisburg Area School District

(570) 522-3204

[email protected]










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Engle, Jere Executive Director, Union County Housing Authority

(570) 522-1300

[email protected]

Everett, Walter PA Prison Society (570) 522-7080

[email protected]

Foote, Rebecca Reverend, Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church

(570) 524-0809

[email protected]

Geffken, Abbey Case Manager, CMSU 570-275-4962 [email protected]

Geiser, Cyndi Administrative Assistant, Union County Day Reporting Center

(570) 524-3895

[email protected]

Gorrell, Barbara Director, CMSU (570) 275-5422

[email protected]

Hackenburg, Vicki

Coordinator, Union County Victim/Witness

(570) 524-8768

[email protected]










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Haulman, Matthew Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-8747

[email protected]

Hollenbach, Kristin Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-3839

[email protected]

James, Lisa Union County 911 Coordinator, Public Safety

(570) 524-8810

[email protected]

Jordan, Susan Program Coordinator, CSV Mediation Center

(570) 374-1718

[email protected]

Keating, Phil Administrator, CMSU (570) 275-5422

[email protected]

Kerstetter, Scott Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-8741 [email protected]

Kline, Lucy Union County Probation








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Klose, Nicholas Director, Pre-Hospital Services, Evangelical Community Hospital

(570) 522-2865

[email protected]

Koser, Kathryn Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Transitions

(570) 768-4603

[email protected]

Krieger, William, PhD Licensed Psychologist, Independent Contractor to Diakon and Concern

(570) 259-2186

[email protected]

Lilley, David Certified Peer Specialist, CMSU

(570) 765-7163

[email protected]

Lombardo, Jennifer Regional Service Coordinator, White Deer Run

(570) 550-1654

[email protected]

Madden, Sean Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-8776

[email protected]

Mensch, Jeffrey

Judge, Magisterial District 17-3-02

(570) 966-2886

[email protected]









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Millett, Michael Director, Union County Day Reporting Center

(570) 524-3892

[email protected]

Morris, Naaman Juvenile Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-8746

[email protected]

Nemoianu, Andrei, MD Forensic Psychiatrist, Geisinger Medical Center

(570) 271-6516

[email protected]

Nicholson, Karen Diakon Family Life Services

(570) 490-6276

[email protected]

Persing, Julie Associate Clinical Manager, Community Care Behavioral Health

(570) 496-1306

[email protected]

Pinter, Donna, PhD Clinical Director, Psychological Services Clinic

(570) 286-5081

[email protected]

Ritter, Ernie

Sheriff, Union County Sheriff’s Office

(570) 524-8716

[email protected]









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Russell, Steven Juvenile Probation Officer, Union County Probation

(570) 524-8746

[email protected]

Shaffer, Douglas Warden, Union County Jail

(570) 524-8712

[email protected]

Smith, Shelley BSU Director, CMSU (570) 275-4962

[email protected]

Ulmer, Brian Chief Public Defender Union County Public Defender’s Office

(570) 524-8780

[email protected]

Warunek, Barbara

Specialty Court Administrator, Columbia County Probation

(570) 389-5650

[email protected]

Yost, Paul

Buffalo Valley Regional Police

(570) 524-4302

[email protected]








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Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Staff

Bob Merwine Director, Office of Criminal Justice System Improvements

(717) 787-5152 [email protected]

Jennifer McConnell Criminal Justice Advisory Board Specialist

570-753-2659 [email protected]

PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence Staff

Patricia Griffin, PhD Senior Consultant, Center of Excellence


Amanda Cross, PhD Senior Research Associate, Center of Excellence


Casey LaDuke, MS Research Assistance, Center of Excellence


Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar

Project Coordinator, Center of Excellence

215-553-7174

[email protected]








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Appendix B: Union County CJAB - Board Structure and Membership January 3rd, 2012

The Union County Criminal Justice Board was established in November of 2006. CJAB meetings were originally

scheduled for once a month, but were later changed to a bi-monthly meeting schedule. Members have been

appointed to the board based on their position in the criminal justice system, county government, and stakeholders

from the community based upon their dedication to the criminal justice system.

The following is a list of full current membership of the Union County CJAB including name and title.

1. Preston Boop, Chairman, UC Board of Commissioners

2. Honorable Michael Sholley, President Judge, 17 Judicial District of Pennsylvania

3. Honorable Michael Huddock, Judge, Court of Common Pleas

4. Honorable Jeffrey L Mensch, District Judge

5. Honorable D. Peter Johnson, Union County District Attorney

6. Sheriff Ernie Ritter, Sheriff, Union County

7. Brian Ulmer, Union County Public Defender

8. Chief Paul Yost, Lewisburg Police Department

9. Chief Barry Hosterman, East Buffalo Township Police Department

10. Chief Douglas R. Bickhart. Mifflinburg Police Department

11. Chief Donald Zerbe, Laurelton/Hartleton Police Departments

12. Jason Freidberg, Director of Public Safety, Bucknell University

13. Scott Lizardi, Chief Probation Officer, Union County Probation Department

14. Douglas Shaffer, Warden, Union County Jail.

15. Dr. Lawrence Ginsburg, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Evangelical Hospital

16. Dr. Donald W. Stechschulte, Director of Student Health Services, Bucknell University

17. Barbara R. Gorrell, Director of Drug and Alcohol Services, CMSU

18. Karen Nicholson, Warden (ret’d), Federal Bureau of Prisons

19. Vicki Hackenburg, Union County Victim/Witness Coordinator

20. Sgt. Fred Dyroff III, Pennsylvania State Police

21. Linda Richards, Clerk of the Courts and Prothonotary, Union County

22. Lisa James, Union County 911 Coordinator

23. Delbert Sauers, Federal Bureau of Prisons

24. Chief Charles Pensyl, New Berlin PD

The Union County CJAB Coordinator is James Keltz (non-voting member)


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Appendix C: Union County Justice Bridge Housing Program


50


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Documents

Union County - Pennsylvania Mental Health and … · Union County Report, PA Mental Health and Justice Center of Excellence, March 2014 2 Facilitator Patricia A. Griffin, PhD, Senior