Identifying SOAR Applicants
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Identifying SOAR
Applicants
Presented by:
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Under contract to:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Webinar Instructions
 Question instructions
 Muting
 Recording availability
 Downloading documents
 Evaluation

SOAR Training
 2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery training
 www.prainc.com/soar
 Find your State

Agenda
 Tools for Identifying Applicants
– Kristin Lupfer, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
 Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore
– Margaret Flanagan, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD
 Accepting SOAR Referrals With Limited
Resources
– Jessica Calys, Wyandot Mental Health Center, Kansas City, KS
 Questions and Answers

Tools for Identifying SOAR
Applicants
Kristin Lupfer
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.

The Challenge
 Limited resources
 Limited time
 A lot of people need our help
 Applications involving mental illness and co-occurring disorders are complicated

Using the Tool
 Identify individuals who most need your assistance
 Do not discourage anyone from applying for SSA benefits
 Plan for alternative service or referral

SOAR Fundamentals
 Key eligibility criteria for SSA disability benefits
– Severe impairment that affects ability to earn SGA
– Duration requirements
– Symptoms
– Functional impairment

SOAR Recommends
 Not essential, but may strengthen an application
– Prescribed medications, ongoing symptoms
– Obtainable medical evidence or one time exam is sufficient
– Difficult work history

Making it Work For You
 Add your program criteria
 Use in conjunction with other assessment tools
 Consult with colleagues or the
SOAR TA Center

Identifying a SOAR Applicant in Baltimore
Margaret Flanagan, MSW
Health Care for the Homeless
Baltimore, Maryland

Identifying a SOAR Applicant –
Baltimore, MD


Citywide trained providers
– Utilization of applicant checklist
– Discussion of individual
– Trigger questions and/or follow-up information
Outreach initiative
– Referral
– Outreach
– More in depth assessment/review of medical records

Identifying a SOAR Applicant
 Homeless or at risk of homelessness
 Diagnosed with a psychiatric condition
 Experiencing ongoing symptoms
 Experiencing functional impairments stemming from symptoms
 Not working and unable to work SGA due to impairments

Trigger Questions
 Utilize tool to frame appropriateness

Each stage has additional ‘trigger questions’ that are important in decision
– Age + diagnosis
– Diagnosis (type and duration)
– Treatment history
– Substance use
– Work history

Determination if appropriate



Age
– Longevity of symptoms
– Diagnosis
– Treatment history
New diagnosis/type of diagnosis
– Medical evidence available
Medical evidence
– The listings or ‘blue book’
– Medical Summary Report can appropriately convey impairments

Determination if appropriate (cont.)
 Substance Use
– Periods of sobriety
– What use means to individual
– Materiality
 Work history
– Failed attempts, scattered, long periods
 Prior application attempts/denials

Common reasons not appropriate
 Goal of employment
 Lack of severity of conditions
 New diagnosis and duration
 Somatic conditions
 Hearings Level

Handling of non-SOAR



 applicants
Employment
– Moving forward with employment and disability
Severity of conditions/duration
– Reasoning behind severity – tips on how to assist through ‘normal’ process
Somatic conditions
– Utilize Medical Summary Report or functional assessment for medical conditions – how impacts day-to-day functioning
Tips for working at hearings level

Accepting SOAR Referrals with Limited Resources
Jessica Calys, LMSW
Wyandot Mental Health Center
Kansas City, Kansas

WMHC SOAR Referral Process
 Informal
 Apply what we have learned as SOAR
Case Managers
 Use information from DDS
 Serve as appointed representative or refer to another service

Referral Sources
 Active consumers at the mental health center
 SOAR is a limited resource
– 2 case managers

Referral Form

Referral Process
 Sent to SOAR coordinator
 Coordinator or case manager calls
DDS
 DDS provides information on past claims

Chart Review



Intake: presenting problem, reported symptoms, previous psychiatric history/treatment, client’s report of medical risks, current medications, strengths and additional resources, suicide/homicide history or risk, safety concerns, bio-psychosocial history, legal involvement, history of abuse/trauma, substance abuse/use, mental status exam, and diagnostic summary.
Medication history with Wyandot Center
Progress notes

Looking For:
 Functional information
 Past or current work history
 Treatment history

Alternatives to SOAR Assistance
 Assist in completing online application, explain process
 Provide a list of attorneys who are good collaborators

Refer to the agency’s supported employment program

Questions and Answers
Facilitators:
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.

For More Information on SOAR
Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar
Or contact:
SAMHSA SOAR TA Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Delmar, NY
518-439-7415 soar@prainc.com