Wednesday, November 6, 2024
More

    County aims to build up local support system for mental health and addictions in region

    Date:

    Midhurst/October 23, 2024 – The County of Simcoe, along with identified key partners recognizes a considerable need for integrated community-based services to address a homelessness health crisis through the establishment of a Homelessness & Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. As such, the County of Simcoe has applied to the Government of Ontario to host one of ten HART facilities in the province.

    Primary partners included as part of the application are Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch, (CMHA SCB), Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin IIPCT/ Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, and Barrie Cares.

    Since launching its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy in 2023, the County has been making significant investments and enhancements to social services programs and supports in Barrie and our communities. Within this 10-point plan, the pillars we have created include improving safety and well-being, creating easier ways to access services, enhancing our community shelter services and standards, and finding new opportunities. The HART Hub is one more tool that is available to us to complement these pillars and provide even better support for this vulnerable population within our community.

    In addition to supporting this pillar, we also believe this project will help increase our efforts to move residents who have been living “rough” or staying in shelters to more stable housing outcomes. We’ve seen this by providing wraparound supports in our Supportive Rapid Rehousing Program (SRRP), transitional and supportive housing, and we believe this project presents this same opportunity in addition to the support with addictions and mental health. 

    Communities whose applications have been approved to house one of the ten provincial HART Hubs will be announced by the Ontario Ministry of Health in December 2024.

    This is just one more way that the County is #BuildingUp our communities. For updates on how the County of Simcoe is investing in our communities, visit simcoe.ca/BuildingUp.

    Quotes
    “We know that within the unhoused population in Simcoe County, a large majority of people are in need of greater supports than simply housing. That is why, when we saw the Ontario Government’s proposal to facilitate these new HART facilities across the province, we knew that with our existing 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy, we were prepared to take this on for our communities and support those who need it.”
    ~ Basil Clarke, Warden, County of Simcoe

    “The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT) is committed to ensuring everyone in our community – including those facing challenges of homelessness and addiction – can access the care they need, when they need it. With the application for a new HART Hub, we have the opportunity to bring these much-needed mental health and addiction supports directly to this vulnerable population. By working together with our partners, we can create a space where individuals can access safe and compassionate care that can truly transform their lives. We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to making a meaningful impact within Simcoe County.”
    ~ Tracey Fletcher, Chair, BAOHT and Operations Director, Medicine, Innisfil Health and Wellness Centre (Rizzardo), RVH

    “We know that mental health and addiction challenges cannot be separated from the broader issues of homelessness and social instability. The proposed HART Hub will offer a vital, integrated response that meets individuals where they are, providing the services they need to heal and thrive. We are eager to see the positive impact this collaboration will have on our community.”
    ~ Dr. Jennifer Fillingham, Interim CEO, CMHA SCB

    “Collaborative and trauma-informed initiatives that address mental health and addictions needs have been identified as Indigenous key priorities in the region. As an Indigenous led and Indigenous governed organization, BANAC is proud to support this initiative as an Indigenous collaborator and to work with partners to support Indigenous communities.”
    ~ Lynn Monague-Sauve, President, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle 

    “RVH’s purpose is to be there for our community in providing the care they need when they need it. To be effective in meeting this purpose, we look for opportunities to collaborate with partners, combining expertise and resources to best serve our community. Between all the partners and RVH’s ability to support with the addiction recovery aspect of the HART Hub, we will be able to support the treatment, recovery and housing needs of the most vulnerable individuals within our community.”
    ~ Gail Hunt, President and CEO, RVH

    “Our HART Hub application will offer a range of services to our community’s most vulnerable. This includes Indigenous health and wellness programming, substance use treatment, specialized mental health care and transitional and supportive housing. Through taking a collaborative approach we are confident that we can build a truly innovative and highly impactful model.”
    ~ Dr. Kevin Young, Vice President, Medical Affairs & Chief of Staff, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care 

    “Barrie Native Friendship Centre supports and responds to the needs of the urban Indigenous community in Barrie and is hopeful the services that will be provided by the HART Hub will improve the lives of all community members served by this process and lead to a more integrated approach in addressing addictions and homelessness.”
    ~ Samantha Kinoshameg, Executive Director, Barrie Native Friendship Centre

    About the HART Hub model
    HART Hubs serve clients with complex service needs (i.e. those experiencing a range of overlapping issues and marginalization including homelessness, substance use, mental health, social service support needs and unemployment) through the provision of specialized community supports. These supports may include mental heath, primary care, substance use, addiction, case management for income security, employment and social service needs. These services allow for clients to start to receive treatment, addressing presenting needs and providing a platform for positive long-term treatment outcomes with access to longer-term stabilizing services, including bed-based services.

    About the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy
    The plan provides a strong, data-driven strategy to help vulnerable residents and our communities. It includes considerable added investment, enhancements, and support for the unhoused population in our communities.

    The plan takes a collaborative approach to building up communities, service providers, the business community, and residents. Through this strategy, the County continues to work collaboratively with partners and municipalities to continue to prevent and end chronic homelessness. For further details and ongoing updates to the homelessness prevention plan, visit simcoe.ca/HomelessnessSystem.

    About the County of Simcoe
    The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Please Support SickKids Hospital

    Popular

    More Good Stuff!
    Related

    The Calm Within: Finding Peace through Breathing

    Sophia had always been a ball of energy. Her...

    The 2nd Annual Hope Haven Hoedown

    Please join us at Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre...

    The Fasting Expert: “The Truth About Ozempic”, These 3 Foods Are Leading To Cancer! – Dr Mindy Pelz

    Dr Mindy Pelz is a world-renowned fasting and women’s...

    Community invited to provide input on waterfront public piazza park

    Collingwood, ON – Exciting news for Collingwood Residents! The...

    CANCELLED | Strawberry Moon Festival | Milkbarn Sessions | June 22nd

    A night dedicated to celebrate Music, Art and Fashion...

    The Problem With Elon Musk

    The Billionaire Who’s Not Like Other Billionaires Check out...

    Four Winds Music Fest | July 12-14 at the gorgeous Riverstone Retreat

    Four Winds Music Fest is a boutique music festival...

    Sidelaunch Days Summer Concerts present Fiddlestix

    Join us at the Shipyards Amphitheatre, 2 North Maple...

    The Woman Who Helps NBA Stars To Sleep | Dr Cheri Mah

    Quicker decision making and faster reaction times, here's how...

    Love Wins with the Collingwood Pride Festival 2024

    The Rainbow Club of South Georgian Bay (Rainbow Club) is...

    OJHL HALL OF FAME OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR CLASS OF 2025

    Up to five people to be inducted during spring...

    A Tribute to Congressman John Lewis: Champion of Civil Rights and Justice

    Congressman John Lewis: "Get in Trouble. Good Trouble" Congressman John...

    PHI PHI ISLANDS – THAILAND IN 4K DRONE FOOTAGE – Thailand From Above

    Explore the Paradise of Phi Phi Islands By Alejandro Torres A...

    BARD ON THE BAY 2024 – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

    MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SYNOPSIS Beatrice and Benedick have...

    SCOUTS FROM NHL, WORLD JR. A CHALLENGE, COLLEGE, CHL HEADED TO ‘BATTLE OF ONTARIO’ IN SMITHS FALLS NOV. 19-20

    Twelve-game All-Star, Prospects tournament pits CCHL against OJHL October 30,...

    Town of The Blue Mountains | Seniors Fair Returns on Wednesday, September 18

    The Town of The Blue Mountains is proud to...

    Collingwood welcomes Dr. Matthew Ladda to Town

    Collingwood, ON  – Collingwood now has a new family...

    Bowling Down Barriers Fundraiser | October 5th

    STRIKE IT BIG by registering for our 2nd Annual...

    Dr. Bridget: “How to enhance your golf game from the inside out” 

    Golf season is in full swing! In Ontario, we have...

    ARTSBURG IN CLARKSBURG | ART FAIRE | SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

    Going to be a gorgeous fall day this Saturday,...

    VIDEO: 張哲瀚Zhang Zhehan 紀錄片《八月》

    《八月》是中國演員張哲瀚首次擔任導演的紀錄片,2024年4月14日上線。 該片記錄了張哲瀚在2021年8月突遇網路風暴,演藝人生頃刻被顛倒後的一次自我療愈之旅。 當舞臺與燈光不再,當事業與生活被網路上的不實資訊和惡意扭曲震碎,張哲瀚選擇在兩年後的8月,以自己熱愛的方式向著真實的世界重新出發。從香格里拉到拉薩的騎行之路上,他遇見雪山和冰川,遇見草木牛羊,遇見許多個普通而動人的面孔;他傾聽天地之聲,傾聽陌生人的故事,也傾聽內心的痛和愛。 曾經的8月還未終結,以後的8月依然會來。而這一個《八月》意義非常。 #zhangzhehan_super3 #張哲瀚 #張哲瀚八月 #紀錄片八月 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLwMG6XoJ34&t=11s

    Jax Pays It Forward @ Sidelaunch | June 15th

    We’re excited to announce the 5th annual Jax Pays...

    Town of The Blue Mountains Hires Monica Quinlan as Director of Corporate and Financial Services

    August 30, 2024 The Town of The Blue Mountains is...

    The Great History of Collingwood, Ontario | Bosley Real Estate

    Bosley Real Estate presents: The History of Collingwood, Ontario Source:...

    Bright/Alshon v Kawamoto/Martinez Vich at the IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open

    Watch the Mixed Doubles Semi Finals match: (2) Anna...

    How Tesla Reinvented The Supercomputer

    Tesla's Dojo supercomputer is a unique new technology in...

    Yuval Noah Harari: This Election Will Tear The Country Apart! AI Will Control You By 2034!

    Yuval Noah Harari is a best-selling author, public intellectual...

    Jack de Keyzer | July 17 @ Jazz & Blues Live at the Station

    July 17 – Jack de Keyzer – Juno award-winning...

    The Town of The Blue Mountains Winter Parking Restrictions and Resident Snow Removal

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to...

    CIA Spy: “This Could Spark WW3 In 2024”- China’s Takeover & Iran-Israel-Palestine

    On today’s episode of Impact Theory, former CIA spy...

    Enchanted Evening and Fundraiser | Save Georgian Bay

    Join us with like-minded neighbours and friends on August...

    Collingwood Fire is inviting you to have some fun this Fire Prevention Week October 6-12

    Collingwood, ON  –  October 6-12, 2024, marks the 102nd anniversary...

    Ally Vitally: The Revolutionary LLaMA 3.1: A New Era of AI

    A team of brilliant engineers at Meta AI has...

    Thornbury Summer Antiques Show | Beaver Valley Community Centre.

    The Thornbury Antique & Vintage Show is just over...

    Announcement of New Treasurer and 2025 Municipal Budget Timeline Update

    Collingwood, ON  –  The Town is pleased to announce the...