Prisoner Reentry New Network of Care Program Launched Today in Philadelphia
In response to requests from courts, probation officers and behavioral-health program directors, the Network of Care has just added a brand-new offering – the Network of Care for Prisoner Reentry.
The Network of Care, which has been widely successful across the nation in the behavioral-health field, has made a logical jump into the criminal-justice system. Judge Ramy Djerassi of Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas asked the Trilogy team if they could develop something specifically for the courts and probation. The goal: to assist in better managing persons with behavioral-health issues as they return to society. The result is a new portal that can easily be used by the court/probation system to refer persons into needed treatment and recovery programs.
With a comprehensive Service Directory fully integrated into an online referral program, a judge, case manager or probation officer can, in seconds, find the right service in the right location. This system also enables referral agencies to notify the court as individuals begin or complete programs. Additionally, all referral information and more can be stored easily in a Personal Health Record, which can be used for enhanced care management when more than one agency or care worker is involved.
“This is a dream come true,” Djerassi said. “In seconds, I can help Probation find the right place to send my defendants. Press some keys, and hundreds of names and links pop up on my computer. They are in categories like housing, behavioral health, drug treatment, education and job placement. No guarantees, but I’m hoping for fewer VOPs.”
William DiMascio, executive director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, added, “This Network of Care for Prisoner Reentry represents a major breakthrough in the way people in need and service providers can access critical services in a timely fashion. We are delighted to join the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services and Trilogy to be a part of such an important innovation!”
“The Network of Care for Prisoner Reentry will be another valuable resource for bridging the gaps between the judicial and behavioral-health systems,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services.
“It was wonderful working with Judge Djerassi and his team on this,” said Trilogy CEO Afshin Khosravi. “Here is a way to use existing technology creatively to reduce recidivism and improve the lives of folks coming back into society who have behavioral-health issues. In the end, it helps the community and all of us.”
Now that the Network of Care for Prisoner Reentry has been launched in Philadelphia, it is available to any county or state in the country. For more information about the program and how to acquire it for your own area, please contact Bruce Bronzan at bbronzan@trilogyir.com or (415) 458-5900.