SOCIAL WORK/RE-ENTRY PROGRAM
OAD's newest initiative is the Social Work/Re-entry Program. During their periods of lengthy incarceration in prisons far from their homes (most OAD clients are from New York City, but the vast majority are incarcerated in far western or northern New York State), most of our clients have extremely limited, if any, resources to help them deal with the many serious problems that arise in prison. Similarly, upon their release, most clients are in need of significant assistance in order to make a successful reintegration to non-prison life. OAD established its social work program to respond to these vast unmet needs. Consistent with OAD's training model, we structured a program staffed by a masters-level social work intern, supervised by Melissa Rothstein, former Director of the Social Work Program, who holds degrees in both law and social work.
While social workers are common in trial-level defense offices, an in-house social work program at an appellate defense office is unique. Yet, appellate defenders are ideally situated to assist clients with pre-release and reintegration issues, as it is the appellate defender who most often has a relationship with the client at the time of release. OAD's Social Work/Re-entry Program currently focuses on providing direct-service social work assistance to clients being released from prison. These services include assistance with housing, medical and mental health needs, employment and job training, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and obtaining government benefits.
The Social Work/Re-entry Program has also created a resource manual for use by those seeking to assist individuals making the transition from prison to non-prison life. This manual provides a detailed listing of organizations (with an emphasis on New York City) which provide services in the following areas: disabilities, education, employment, family/children, health, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, housing, mental health, substance abuse/alcoholism, veterans' programs, and vital records. To see OAD's Social Work Alphabetical Resource Manual, click here. To see OAD's Social Work Resource Manual Subject Listing, click here.
If you would like further information about the Social Work/Re-entry Program, please contact Heidi van Es, Director of the Social Work/Re-entry Program, at 212-402-4125 or at hvanes@appellatedefender.org.
The Social Work/Re-entry Program is funded entirely by private donations. If you would like to help support the program, please contact Sara Gurwitch, Deputy Attorney-in-Charge, at 212-402-4100 or at sgurwitch@appellatedefender.org.