New York State Division of Parole and Mental Health Agency Provider Consortium
By Carol Sabatino

Approximately one year ago, the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Division of Parole called together counties, parole and mental health agencies serving individuals with histories of incarceration in order to develop better cooperative service agreements. In Erie County, the agencies, the Erie County Department of Mental Health and the local New York State Division of Parole used this initial meeting as the kick-off to forming a local consortium to better address the needs of individuals being served by both the mental health and parole system. Historically, these individuals are released from correctional institutions with minimal supports in the community.

 

The Division of Parole, responsible for community supervision, sometimes faces resistance from service providers in accepting parolees into their programs. Parolees often present to treatment programs with histories of high-risk behaviors. Without the support of the legal system to enforce compliance, treatment providers are often unable to engage the client into a positive rehabilitation program resulting in risk to other clients, the community and the parolee.

Though individual agencies have been working with the Parole Division to assist these clients, it is the intent of the consortium that through collaborative problem solving, treatment outcomes for these parolees can be greatly improved. Often the resistance to both the criminal justice system and the mental health systems are more a lack of understanding of the roles and expectations of the individual organizations. Through the meetings over this year, increased communication has resulted in significant improvements in service provider relationships. Recognizing that these parolees often have complicated treatment needs due to their illnesses and their histories of criminal behavior, the collaboration of all services is essential in developing a comprehensive community plan.

In its first year of organization, the consortium has assisted the Erie County Department of Mental Health in submitting a grant proposal to fund an intensive housing project that would provide both case management and residential services to homeless individuals. If this proposal does receive funding, the consortium will work together to develop the supportive linkages it will need to assist these individuals. Additionally, the consortium has continued to function as a forum for developing community service plans for newly released parolees. We anticipate, through our collaborative efforts, that we will continue to develop smoother and more coordinated rehabilitation programs for parolees with mental illnesses. The consortium meets monthly and is open to any agencies that are providing services to individuals with histories of criminal justice involvement.

Information regarding the meetings can be obtained by calling Carol Sabatino

at 831-1800.