And thanks to Laurie Harris, excellent note taker.
Commissioner Karen Carpenter Columbo will be speaking at the AVRASA meeting next Friday, Oct. 24 at 54 west 40th street from 8:30-4:30.
AVRASA is advocating making it known to all the treatment programs that vocational services is important. They are also trying to reinstate the online reporting system. Establishment of new liaisons.
John Nardozzi asked about the OASAS standards and regulations in the delivery of services in the treatment programs. Angela Lockhart said that they were never on the books. The plan is to create: sending out letters, measuring outcomes, reporting and the development of local service bulletins. This will be printed on the OASAS website. The policies will vary for each modality: methadone maintenance, outpatient treatment, inpatient services. John said that these services were substantial. Dave Greenberg said that these still existed. Some of the representatives from the treatment programs said that they have these rules.
John spoke about CDL and some of the issues that the treatment programs could help for VESID to move individuals forward. Some of the providers said that the issues are discussed in the orientation and referred to the vocational services.
Dec 5 and Dec 15- OASAS is going to have a “state of vocational services meeting: at the OASAS headquarters.
John also brought up the issue of the MOU with VESID and the vocational treatment programs.
One of the treatment providers questioned what the standards of the referrals are.
John Nardozzi reviewed some of the issues that were addressed prior to a referral from the treatment programs to VESID. The work readiness form does address some of the issues.
Dave Greenberg discussed the establishment of best practices.
Discussed a need to come up with a common definition of what work readiness is.
Mark Weinstein discussed that some of the basic issues are common sense. Getting ID’s, ability to work in this country. Sometimes it appears that the clinicians and the voc counselor in the programs are not connecting with each other. The establishment of a viable plan.
One of the issues for VESID is that a change of treatment status, VESID would be informed in writing. The programs have to report there employment statistics to hra, oasas. The issue is about communication.
Issues regarding the work readiness form and who can complete it.
Discussed the need to look at work readiness skills before referral to VESID.
Question regarding if a program has no professional VR counselor, the fact that they still need to observe behaviors.
Oasas used to have a rehab counselor academy. As part of the consortium we could put together some a training package.
We discussed the MOU and will bring it to the next meeting.
Avrasa and oasas working together to develop a local services bulletin.
Technical assistance bulletin is on the website.
Discuss the needs to work collaboratively.
Jaik Shubert from DOC said that parole is an ally and we need to look at them especially when it comes to tracking.
EPRA is a parole funded organization.Treatment court is also helpful.
Discussion of the work readiness form-
Beth Israel and Alpha said that they use this form
Question about the differences in how each office works.
Daytop said that they are not being asked to use the work readiness forms.
Discussed the question about having the parole probation form completed.
Jaike presented that he would be a resource for the parole officer information.
Angela is bringing the parole/probation form to oasas legal dept to see if we can use it.
Dave Greenberg wants to put the work readiness form on the avrasa website. This form is vocationally oriented. The psychiatric form has to accompany it. Angela will send Dave Greenberg an electronic copy of the work readiness form.
Send VESID’s psychiatric form and the addiction work readiness form to Dave Greenberg from AVRASA.
The forms will be on the Brooklyn and queens websites as a pilot as substance abuse forms.
We need to start in-service training as soon as possible.
Discussed the cdl medical exams that IMA can do.
Dina’s best practice at Daytop is to meet with VESID referred consumers after they meet with their counselor to discuss the process.
