Forensics
Forensic Counseling
Community Connections of Clearfield/Jefferson Counties funds a forensic counselor in both county jails. They are employed by Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center. An assessment is done on each inmate within 72 hours of booking. An assessment tool is given by the counselors to see if they meet criteria for both serious and persistent mental illness and/or drug and alcohol disorders. Only those inmates who meet criteria may be served by the forensic counseling program. The counselors see them either regularly or upon request. The counselors are responsible for making referrals to Service Access and Management, Inc (SAM) for opening and re-entry services. Inmates are given a choice of providers for re-entry services.
Community Connections of Clearfield/Jefferson Counties funds a forensic counselor in both county jails. They are employed by Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center. An assessment is done on each inmate within 72 hours of booking. An assessment tool is given by the counselors to see if they meet criteria for both serious and persistent mental illness and/or drug and alcohol disorders. Only those inmates who meet criteria may be served by the forensic counseling program. The counselors see them either regularly or upon request. The counselors are responsible for making referrals to Service Access and Management, Inc (SAM) for opening and re-entry services. Inmates are given a choice of providers for re-entry services.
Forensic Peer Specialists
Peerstar LLC Inc. provides for three forensic peer specialists to see people
in both county jails. They assess for risk of recidivism, help them with
individual goals and upon release, the inmate is referred to a community peer
specialist who is also trained in forensics.
The Right Turn
Community Connections supports the Right Turn Subcommittee of the Clearfield and Jefferson County Criminal Justice Advisory Boards (CJAB) by participating in the leadership, meetings, and activities of the group and providing support to their projects. It is the mission of the Right Turn to divert non-violent individuals needing behavioral health services from deeper penetration into the criminal justice system and engage them in treatment that aids them in their recovery. Some programs of the Right Turn Include:
Community Connections supports the Right Turn Subcommittee of the Clearfield and Jefferson County Criminal Justice Advisory Boards (CJAB) by participating in the leadership, meetings, and activities of the group and providing support to their projects. It is the mission of the Right Turn to divert non-violent individuals needing behavioral health services from deeper penetration into the criminal justice system and engage them in treatment that aids them in their recovery. Some programs of the Right Turn Include:
The Right Turn Re-Entry Program
The Right Turn Re-Entry Program is funded through a Second Chance Act Grant
awarded to Clearfield County. The Program aids individuals in Clearfield and
Jefferson Counties with co-occurring mental illness, substance abuse, and a
history of multiple incarcerations to reintegrate into the community after
incarceration. In collaboration with the Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol
Commission and local county agencies such as probation, the Court of Common
Pleas, and county jails, we monitor the participants intensively to ensure
their involvement and successful completion. Individuals that participate in
the program are eligible for Blended Case Management, mental health and drug
and alcohol treatment, transportation, and supported housing. Other services
such as Certified Peer Support, Certified Recovery Specialist, or vocational
services may be utilized if the participant wishes to participate.
The Right Turn Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
Developed by the Memphis, TN Police Department, CIT is an evidence based
approach to responding to dispatches involving individuals with mental illness
or other behavioral impairments. Using CIT techniques results in improved
officer and individual safety and can divert nonviolent individuals from the
criminal justice system into treatment and recovery. In April 2011 six members
of the Right Turn Team participated in CIT training sponsored by the Laurel
Highlands CIT in Johnstown. In April and May of 2012 this core team developed
a training specific to law enforcement and services available in our counties
and delivered 40 hour of training to Punxsutawney, Brookville, Brockway, and
Clearfield police officers, Jefferson County jail correctional officers, and
Jefferson County probation officers. Again in March and April of 2013 the
training was delivered to the same departments and the Reynoldsville police
department. In 2013 Community Connections was awarded a Mental Health Matters
Grant from the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to present
two additional 40-hour CIT training's incorporating Mental Health First
Aid and QPR Suicide Prevention into the program.