This program supports at risk women with borderline personality disorders exiting the forensic and or prison system.
Homelessness and access to services remain the major factors influencing successful outcomes for these women.
Specialist Services provides Intensive home-based outreach to those who generally aren’t eligible for clinical case-management, and may hav difficulty establishing and maintaining personal and professional relationships.
Specialist Services collaborates and advocates with correctional, clinical and housing services.
It also addresses breakdowns in housing, family and services.
Family reunification is a major problem faced by our service recipients.
Story:
Robyn was referred to SS from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre Women’s Prison for support to address her long standing drug related offending history and her significant history of mental health issues.
Robyn was being considered for parole and required assistance to resecure her existing public housing. The expected release date for Robyn was prolonged several times due to further requests by the adult parole board.
The office of housing were intent on reclaiming the property due to the long vacancy paired with rent arrears and complaints of her behaviour in the flat prior to her incarceration. Specialist Services advocated strongly by advocating with Office of Housing who were unaware of Robyn’s mental health issues.
Had Specialist Services not intervened the property to which her parole eligibility hinged on would have been lost hence so to her ability to attain parole, resulting in her being released into homelessness at a later date. In addition to these actions SS also linked Robyn into the Mental Health service which traditionally would not offer service due to her diagnosis.
Robyn has returned to the property with additional supports and whilst remaining complex, is not offending and is breaking the cycle and beginning to participate in improved community living.
