Partnership and collaboration are central to achieving cost savings, improved individual and community outcomes, and reduced recidivism in a King County jail initiative targeted to veterans. The King County, Washington initiative for incarcerated veterans demonstrates how to use the jail setting - where there are challenges to interventions given higher rates of turnover and shorter sentences - to identify and divert veterans onto a path to successful reentry. The project provides less expensive alternatives to jail, has demonstrated success in reducing recidivism, and provides the opportunity for each veteran to stabilize in the community.

Jail staff identifies veterans during the booking process, and fliers are also posted in jail units informing veterans of the services available. Project staff research an individual's booking and criminal history and conduct an assessment. The assessment determines eligibility to be enrolled, identifies barriers that have hindered the veteran's reentry previously, highlights assets and skills, projects steps for effective case management, and maximizes awareness of federal, state, and local programs and benefits for veterans and family members. This initial contact concentrates primarily on court advocacy (early release or sentence reduction), securing treatment, and identifying employment, housing, and other services needed on release to the community.

Incarcerated veterans who enroll typically are in jail for possession or sale of drugs; DUI/public intoxication; domestic violence; shoplifting; and/or public nuisance. Many have histories of homelessness and have held multiple short-term jobs since leaving the military, or been unemployed. Many have also had multiple failed attempts with drug or alcohol treatment programs. Untreated mental illness and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are common.

Upon release, staff assist the veteran with an array of stabilization and other services, such as emergency financial assistance, mental health/trauma counseling, employment and skills training assistance, temporary housing, advocacy, and other referral services.

Once stable, the veteran begins work readiness and employment assistance services. When the veteran has secured full-time employment and is ready for independent living, long-term housing is the goal - using any financial assistance to which the veteran is entitled and available housing programs for which the veteran is eligible. Case management at this stage has specific time limits for each veteran to address barriers and meet specific requirements of the case plan in order to help ensure success.

Homeless veterans benefit from jail diversion, access to treatment and health care, housing and job opportunities, and the resources to address barriers and challenges to stability in the community.

State and County systems benefit from partnership with resource providers who can help divert and stabilize potentially recidivating individuals into a positive trajectory in the community.

Taxpayers benefit from cost savings resulting from reduced length of stay in jail and decreased recidivism in the corrections system, as well as use of treatment and service resources that promote recovery in the community and reduce chronic homelessness. Ending the random ricocheting of veterans between streets and shelters, jail, treatment, and other systems benefits everyone in the community, housed and homeless alike.

The King County intervention for incarcerated veterans has:

• Reduced the number of episodes and duration of incarcerations by participating veterans
• Reduced recidivism of veterans to the jail system
• Increased the number of veterans who become employed and secure a stable living environment

King County data for 2006 show that, over the lifetime of the program (1998 - 2005), there has been an average annual savings to taxpayers of $550,791. The average annual recidivism rate in the program is 16.6% versus the general recidivism rate for King County of 57.7%.

• Total 2006 enrollment in the program = 250
• 100 housing placements
• 35 individuals housed for more than 30 days
• 49 employment placements
• 34 individuals employed for more than 30 days
• 43 PTSD referrals to the VA Medical Center
• 93 discharge upgrades
• Early release days for King County = 5,942
• Early release savings = $546,664
• 2006 recidivism rate = 9.6%

The program currently is being replicated in Tacoma and Vancouver, WA.

King County Corrections works closely with the King County Veterans Program (KCVP) - within the Department of Community and Human Services, Community Services Division - the King County Court System and Prosecutors' Office, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), Addictions Treatment Center at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle, and a variety of public and private agencies, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Also in King County, voters passed the Veterans and Human Services Levy in November 2005 to generate resources for veterans, military personnel and their families and other individuals and families in need through a variety of housing and supportive services. The levy allocates approximately $13.3 million per year for six years to implement human services for veterans, their families, and other low-income residents of King County. One half of these revenues are targeted for veterans and their families, and the remaining half is dedicated to other King County residents in need of human services. The levy remains in effect until 2011.

Half of the revenue raised funds services for veterans, military personnel and their families, including services specific to veterans' needs such as PTSD treatment. The balance funds regional health and human services, including housing, homelessness prevention, mental health and substance abuse services and employment assistance.

A Veterans and Human Services Levy implementation ordinance received approval by the King County Council on April 10, 2006. The levy ordinance identified three goal areas for service enhancements and funding allocations: reduce homelessness and emergency medical costs; reduce criminal justice system involvement; and increase self-sufficiency by means of employment.

Learn more about the King County initiative by visiting the web site.

Learn more about the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs initiatives.

Learn more about Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Specialists who operate in the VA medical system which is organized into 22 geographic networks known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks, or VISNs. VHA has allocated an an Incarcerated Veterans Re-Entry Specialist to each VISN who is the VA regional point of contact and also provide outreach and assessment services to incarcerated veterans.

Learn more about VA's Healthcare for Re-Entry Veterans (HCRV) , a program designed to address the community re- entry needs of incarcerated veterans. HCRV's goals are to prevent homelessness, reduce the impact of medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse problems upon community re-adjustment, and decrease the likelihood of re-incarceration for those leaving prison. HCRV services include: outreach and pre-release assessments services; referrals and linkages to medical, psychiatric, and social services, including employment services; and short term case management assistance.

Learn about VA's state guides for incarcerated veterans to identify services and community contacts.

Learn about the U.S. Department of Labor's programs for veterans.

Learn about resources for homeless veterans at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness' veterans resource web page.

20 in 20, A Month of Innovations, continues tomorrow with a Special Issue focused on:

St. Paul's Police Department partners for housing solutions to chronic homelessness

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