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REGIONAL CONFERENCE HEARS ABOUT OUR PROMISE PROGRAM
Dr. Richard White, Program Director of PROMISE (Program of Returning Offenders with Mental Illness Safely and Effectively), was a presenter at the annual Middle Atlantic State Correctional Association conference in Annapolis, Maryland on June 9.
His co-presenter was David Wolfsgruber, Assistant Director of the Community Programs Division of New Jersey State Parole.
Dr. White and Mr. Wolfsburger identified several significant trends as PROMISE enters its third year:
White also noted that PROMISE is expanding its housing opportunities. Through NJ Housing Mortgage and Finance Association (HMFA) funding, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley purchased five homes in Camden County, NJ for supported housing for PROMISE clients in 2006. Initial funding was providing by the Corporation for Supported Housing, through a line of credit.
PROMISE also received federal funding to open two new transitional houses in 2009. These provide yet another type of housing opportunity to clients otherwise identified as “placement” cases by Parole - which means they truly have nowhere to call home.
Dr. White noted that PROMISE was developed beginning in 2005 as part of former NJ Governor Richard Codey’s Mental Health Task Force.
The task force was a unique opportunity to identify an exploding population within the state prison system. One result, White said, was a unique set of services to address not only the behavioral health needs of individuals returning to the community from state prison, but also how these needs are risk factors in the cycle of incarceration, crisis visits, and in many cases, psychiatric hospitalizations.
According to Dr. White, PROMISE is unique because of its partnerships with other stakeholders. The NJ Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) not only has provided technical support, but is currently funding an Aftercare Treatment Specialist position. This will serve PROMISE clients who are moving back into the community but still request assistance to maintain the positive changes they have begun.
Dr. White said PROMISE hopes more clients will be provided with services for their behavioral health needs, as well as with the interventions necessary to live a crime-free lifestyle.
His co-presenter was David Wolfsgruber, Assistant Director of the Community Programs Division of New Jersey State Parole.
Dr. White and Mr. Wolfsburger identified several significant trends as PROMISE enters its third year:
- It has served a total of 156 clients as of June 1 and is currently serving 39
- Of current clients, 30 have been linked with General Assistance and Medicaid benefits, and eight are receiving either SSI or SSD benefits
- The average length of stay in PROMISE is about six months
- Overall, 40 clients have received Supported Housing services (there are only 12 beds available in these five homes). Of these 40, over 50% have been successfully discharged, either to other housing opportunities or reintegrated back with their families.
White also noted that PROMISE is expanding its housing opportunities. Through NJ Housing Mortgage and Finance Association (HMFA) funding, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley purchased five homes in Camden County, NJ for supported housing for PROMISE clients in 2006. Initial funding was providing by the Corporation for Supported Housing, through a line of credit.
PROMISE also received federal funding to open two new transitional houses in 2009. These provide yet another type of housing opportunity to clients otherwise identified as “placement” cases by Parole - which means they truly have nowhere to call home.
Dr. White noted that PROMISE was developed beginning in 2005 as part of former NJ Governor Richard Codey’s Mental Health Task Force.
The task force was a unique opportunity to identify an exploding population within the state prison system. One result, White said, was a unique set of services to address not only the behavioral health needs of individuals returning to the community from state prison, but also how these needs are risk factors in the cycle of incarceration, crisis visits, and in many cases, psychiatric hospitalizations.
According to Dr. White, PROMISE is unique because of its partnerships with other stakeholders. The NJ Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) not only has provided technical support, but is currently funding an Aftercare Treatment Specialist position. This will serve PROMISE clients who are moving back into the community but still request assistance to maintain the positive changes they have begun.
Dr. White said PROMISE hopes more clients will be provided with services for their behavioral health needs, as well as with the interventions necessary to live a crime-free lifestyle.
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