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The St.Joseph County RPC developed the following discharge coordination policies for foster care, <br /> health care, mental health systems of care, and re-entry from corrections facilities care. <br /> Foster Care:The Division of Child Services has a written protocol,and partners with community <br /> providers to ensure that youth discharged from foster care are not discharged into the streets. <br /> Division of Child Services case managers are responsible for creating individualized plans for each youth <br /> being discharged from foster care.They are responsible for case planning and reunification conferences <br /> with providers. <br /> Health Care: RPC leadership works with area hospitals,clinics, and agencies to serve the needs of <br /> individuals that are homeless or are at risk for homelessness.They meet with key hospital staff to <br /> discuss opportunities to maximize coordination of services. Future conversations are planned to focus <br /> on developing partnerships with RPC agencies to close the housing gap for those who are homeless and <br /> have substance use disorders. <br /> Beacon Health System and St.Joseph Regional Medical Center are the two major medical hospitals in <br /> the community. Both have Clinical Social Workers assigned to all inpatient and outpatient areas and are <br /> accredited by JCAHO,which requires that discharge planning services are provided to all patients. Both <br /> hospitals have trained social workers and/or case managers that have protocols in place to assess needs <br /> upon admission and develop a plan of care which includes the healthcare team, patient, and family. <br /> They are responsible to coordinate the plan of care which incorporates services, resources, and other <br /> providers in the community appropriate to their post-hospital needs. Linkage to these resources and <br /> providers is made prior to discharge. <br /> Mental Health: Beacon Health System operates 4 inpatient psychiatric care units located at Epworth <br /> Hospital. Epworth Hospital follows regulatory standards and protocols which ensure appropriate <br /> discharge and follow-up care. There exists a gap for those exiting Epworth that opt not to use Oaklawn <br /> as there is a gap in services. Oaklawn Psychiatric Center is the community's designated Community <br /> Mental Health Center and provides outpatient services, including placement into permanent housing for <br /> patients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Oaklawn patients are not routinely placed in <br /> shelters for housing. <br /> Corrections:The local parole district is committed to keeping parolees out of the homeless services <br /> system whenever possible.A Re-entry Accountability Plan is completed in advance of the inmate's <br /> release date and shared with re-entry supervising agencies.The Ducomb Center's Community Transition <br /> Program provides local services and support,and individuals that need housing are referred to shelters <br /> only when necessary.A re-entry Task Force has been established by the Community Corrections <br /> Advisory Board and they have developed a resource guide which has been distributed to area service <br /> providers and is available online. Goodwill Industries also offers a Second Changes program to increase <br /> employability of ex-offenders so that they might avoid or quickly exit the homeless assistance system. <br /> CAPER 26 <br /> OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/20211 <br />