"By working together to build a visual portrait of how individuals progress through the criminal justice system, health and justice stakeholders gain better understanding of their respective policies and practices. In addition, mapping allows jurisdictions to consider decision points throughout the entire criminal justice system when exploring opportunities to enroll criminal justice-involved individuals in insurance coverage. This guide is for states and local jurisdictions interested in using system mapping to maximize opportunities for criminal justice and health care system integration and efficiency through the ACA " (p. 3).
Sections comprising this document include:
- the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at a glance; the need for a systems mapping process;
- the NIC Sample Decision Points Map;
- and the seven steps of the criminal justice/ACA mapping process.
"General health and behavioral health issues with criminal justice-involved individuals intersect. Hence, it is critical that the needs of the population are considered as jurisdictions develop policies and processes to implement the ACA at state and local levels. Bringing together stakeholders from criminal justice, health care, and behavioral health care systems for dialogue around these issues builds increased understanding and collaboration across systems. Using the ACA to do a better job of delivering health care and behavioral health care services to this population not only improves the health of our communities, but makes them safer" (p. 11).
Appendixes provide:
- Sample Intercept Map for ACA Eligibility/Enrollment Priorities;
- Completed Intercept Map for ACA Eligibility/Enrollment Priorities in Connecticut;
- and Action Plan Template.
For additional information on this topic contact NIC National Programs Advisor Katie Green.