ReConnect

ReConnect – Streams and Referral Information

Brief Stream

This is a short-term intervention program of one to three months. Service may include face-to-face contact and ideally reduces the need for medium to long term response. It is likely to include:

• Advocacy 
• Information and referral 
• Brief interventions with a practical or therapeutic focus 
• Short-term case planning 
• Brokering support with linkages and referrals to address areas of need 
• Case conferencing with the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) where the client is under the supervision of Community Correctional Services (CCS). 

Extended Stream

This program provides up to six months of post-release support with a specialised reintegrated service directed at those who require a higher level of service provision. Clients who are referred through the extended stream will have more complex presentations and have needs and problematic behaviours. It is likely to include: 

• Referral to external support agencies
• Support to develop and maintain this relationship 
• Intensive outreach support 
• Client capacity building 
• Practical support 
• Crisis intervention 
• Regular review of client progress against goal attainment scales and critical intervention areas 
• Establish local and community supports to ensure sustainable outcomes for the client 
• Case conferencing with the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) where the client is under the supervision of Community Correctional Services (CCS). 

Intensive Stream

The intensive stream provides clients with up to nine months of post-release support, and as such is the most extensive of the available streams. Clients referred to the intensive stream will typically have more long-term goals that cannot be achieved within the brief and extended streams. In addition to this, clients referred to the intensive stream are deemed to be the highest risk with respect to their offending behaviours, mental health and presentation. It is likely to include:

• Referral to external specialist support agencies
• Intensive outreach support with a goal to reduce frequency over the period of support
• Long term case planning
• Practical support 
• Referrals to specialist services
• Crisis intervention 
• Case conferencing with CCS and other involved services
• Working with CCS and other involved parties to manage risk
• Regular review of client’s transition plan 

Critical Interventions

ReConnect will provide ‘critical interventions’, as needed which may include support with: 

• Housing 
• Education and training 
• Employment 
• Independent living skills 
• Mental health and wellbeing 
• Alcohol and other drugs 
• Family and community connectedness. 

Referrals

How can I access this service?

Referrals to ReConnect are made by all Victorian prisons (with the exception of Ravenhall Correctional Centre) and participants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements: return a reintegration assessment score during ReGroup of 16 or higher in addition to returning a risk rating (LSRNR/LSI) of high.

For participants that identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, a score of 10 is required in the reintegration assessment during ReGroup in addition to risk rating (LSRNR/LSI) of high.

All exceptional referrals must be approved by the Transition and Reintegration Unit (TRU) from the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). In the event that someone is reporting to CCS and has recently been released from custody following the completion of a custodial sentence, please discuss a referral to the ReConnect program with the respective CCS Case Manager.

For more information call 03 9413 7000 and request to be speak to the ReConnect program.