28405-Post-Release Intensive Case Management for Reentering Women

Intervention group members were women released from a state prison and returning to the northern Kentucky area who received intensive case management (ICM) both while in prison and after release. This intensive care model involved case managers working with a participant while she was incarcerated to determine her needs and goals and to establish a Reentry Plan for support once she was released into the community. Once the participant was released from prison, case managers connected participants to mental and physical health treatment, employment, education, and housing services. Once in the program, staff were available to participants 24 hours a day for case management, and there were no limits to the duration of participation. Mental and physical health treatment services included direct referrals for mental health, substance use disorders, and medical and dental treatment, and assistance following treatment recommendations. Employment services included support with resume writing, interview skills, and obtaining work clothes. Education services included connecting participants with GED classes and support with completing applications for college and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Housing services included helping participants obtain safe housing that suited their needs (for example, placement in a halfway house). Case managers supported participants in meeting basic needs, such as helping them obtain identification documents and apply for public benefit receipt. They also taught participants healthy coping and general life skills, provided legal advocacy (for example, by attending court with the participant), gave transportation assistance (for example, by providing bus tickets), and assisted participants during crises.