Story #1

A male in his mid-20s was brought into the jail pre-booking area by the local police department.  He was brought in for the gross misdemeanor charge of Obstruction with Force.  He was involved in an incident at a local shelter where staff were concerned for his safety as he had been making statements of self-harm and had access to a weapon.  When police arrived on the scene, the male was resistant  attempts by law enforcement to help him, and a struggle ensued.  The individual was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and was medically cleared.  Law enforcement’s only option was to bring the individual to jail due to the charges and safety risk.  Upon arrival at the jail, the Yellow Line Project staff conducted a screening which indicated a history of post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, and anxiety.  The individual recently stopped taking his behavioral health medications.  He had been homeless for many years.

The officer agreed to a jail diversion plan created by the screener with  charges remaining as issued.  The individual was diverted from jail, placed into a temporary housing option, and immediately engaged in a  visit with the mental health Mobile Crisis Team to address imminent mental health needs.  The individual met with the Yellow Line Project Community Based Coordinator within 24 hours and developed a My Yellow Line Plan.  This plan included goals for housing, mental health, and employment. 

In working with the Community Based Coordinator for approximately 60 days, the individual was linked to the supportive housing team and was successfully housed, reconnected with his physical and mental health care provider, resumed taking medications for his illnesses, and secured competitive employment. 

Story #2

A 30-year-old male was arrested for Gross Misdemeanor DWI and taken to the  local detox facility.  While at detox, Yellow Line Project screening was offered and a screening was completed with the  individual during his detoxification stay.  A Community Based Coordinator  met with the  individual when he was booked into jail to discuss short term jail stay eligibility. Notification was sent to the county attorney of the individuals’ willingness to engage in services provided by the Yellow Line Project  and the Yellow Line Project was recommended as a component of the person’s release orders.

The individual and Yellow Line Project staff developed a Safety Plan prior to individual’s release from jail. The following day, the individual and the Community Based Coordinator developed a My Yellow Line Plan. The individual’s first goal was to abstain from the use of alcohol. This was achieved by completing a chemical use assessment, attending recovery meetings, and talking with family, friends, and band members about his goal to become sober.  At the end of the 60 days, the individual remained sober, completed the Rule 25 Assessment, arranged for nonresidential/outpatient treatment services, and was attending weekly recovery meetings.

The second goal was to schedule and complete a mental health evaluation to rule in/rule out applicable diagnoses and provide recommendations for services.  At the end of the 60 days, the  individual had completed the assessment, accepted the diagnosis provided as a result of the evaluation, and agreed to  participate in individual therapy as part of the nonresidential/outpatient program.

The third goal the individual successfully completed was to improve his overall physical health. He obtained a membership for a local gym and attended at least weekly.

Prior to individual’s second court hearing and sentencing, the individual  completed all his  goals and  attended a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) panel session.

In addition to the three goals, the individual met with the Community Based Coordinator weekly for the 60-day time frame.  The individual completed the sliding scale fee application and the individual’s detox bill was invoiced accordingly.  The individual was also made aware of the grant application for ignition interlock.  The Community Based Coordinator and individual met with the grant staff and  the individual was approved to have the whole amount of the installation fee paid for as well as 90% of the monthly fee.

Story #3

A 34-year-old Caucasian female was referred by law enforcement for participation in the Yellow Line Project as the  first short term jail referral. She was arrested for  controlled substance possession and was booked into jail. She was screened in pre-booking and referred by the arresting officer. The Community Based Coordinator met with the participant the and she agreed to participate in the Yellow Line Project. The willingness to engage in services notification was sent to the County Attorney’s Office and  the participant was released without bail with conditions that she participate in the Yellow Line Project. The Community Based Coordinator met with the participant on the  following day to complete a My Yellow Line Plan, identifying specific goals to  achieve during the next 60 days.  The participant discussed her chemical  use and her desire to be “done for good this time.” The  My Yellow Line Plan goals she set were to complete a Chemical Use Assessment and follow recommendations (she completed the assessment  and started outpatient treatment while participating in the Yellow Line Project), obtain a sponsor (she obtained a sponsor and met with the person regularly), and to explore new recovery groups this (this took time due to her anxiety but she did and now loves it). Besides the My Yellow Line Plan goals, the participant also started attending  a recovery fitness group weekly where she continues to make connections in the recovery community.

Story #4

Police officers responded to a welfare check of an individual who had expressed some suicidal thoughts to family members living out of state. Officers arrived on scene to find the individual alone with no specific plan to harm themselves. Officers then called the mobile team who responded to the scene to take over talks with the individual. The scene was safe, so the officers were able to leave the mobile staff with the individual which made them available for other calls for service at the time. The individual was able to gain immediate access to crisis services and officers were able to avoid an unnecessary transport to the hospital’s emergency department for an evaluation.

Story #5

A 40-year-old, African American female was pulled over and cited for driving without a license. A street level referral to the Yellow Line Project.  This was the second citation from the same police officer.  The Yellow Line Project screening was completed by telephone.  The individual endorsed symptoms of anxiousness, depressed mood, racing thoughts, and sleep disturbance. The individual  received multiple mental health diagnosis throughout the years and was not receiving any services at the time the referral was made to the Yellow Line Project.  During the screening, the individual was educated on services offered through Horizon Home such as Mobile Crisis and the Crisis Center.  The individual did not feel the need for either service at the  time of screening.

The individual’s My Yellow Plan consisted of three goals: 1. Contact the  MN Driver and Vehicle Services to determine what is required for driver’s license.  The action step for completing the goal was to obtain the driver’s manual and begin studying for the written test.  2. Research and apply for youth community activities.  The action steps towards completing the goal were to contact her  health insurance regarding YMCA membership benefit coverages, contact community education to inquire about openings for summer care for her children, and attend the library every other week with her children. 3. Contact a local mental health provider to reestablish individual therapy and attend a minimum of three appointments.

Following the development of the My Yellow Line Plan, the individual and Community Based Coordinator met on a weekly basis. The individual participated in individual therapy as well as attend library events with her children. Local resources for assistance with child care and child activities were explored.  The individual and Community Based Coordinator reviewed the  driver’s manual and identified a study plan with the assistance of the individual’s adult son. The individual obtained and maintained employment briefly. The Community Based Coordinator assisted the  individual in applying for  county benefits and the  Social Security appeals process.

Additional resources to which the individual was referred  included legal aid services, local programs that provide families with needed clothing and household items, parent support outreach offered through Blue Earth County Human Services, liaison support between the individual and the apartment management regarding ending her lease, and  a plan to pay back rent owed, and lastly the Salvation Army.  The local Salvation Army purchased bus tickets for the individual and her family to relocate closer to relatives for additional support.