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Kelowna committee brings partners together to help vulnerable clients In Kelowna, a new Community Advisory Committee has been established to advise around social issues that impact ACT clients. This year, housing has been the Committee’s focus. The group now includes close to 20 members including: RCMP; Canadian Mental Health Association; John Howard Society; Kelowna General Hospital; Ministry of Justice; Outreach Urban Health/Rutland Aurora Health Centre; Gospel Mission; Métis Commission; Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society; Alexandra Gardner; City of Kelowna; a person with lived experience; a family member; Ministry of Social Development; BC Housing; and the ACT team. The Committee serves as an advisory body to the clinical and support staff and management of the ACT teams and provides valuable input into the planning and delivery of ACT team services in the Kelowna area. An individual with personal experience sits on the advisory committee along with a family member to ensure the client voice is present at the table during discussions. This unique committee meets quarterly and provides community input. continued from page 14 Now she has a safe place to lay her head and access to a health-care team. Most of all, she has the ACT team – members of which she considers friends. “I was isolated. For years, I had no family, I had no friends. I was outside. It was cold and it was terrifying,” she says. “I am so thankful for the ACT team. I know they want me to be healthy and we are working together to the same goal. If it weren’t for them I honestly don’t know where I would be.” Jeanette is one of approximately 30 ACT clients in Kamloops, while a similar team in Kelowna also has about 30 clients registered. After launching in mid-April 2015, the teams are actively reaching out to those in Kamloops and Kelowna with severe and persistent mental illness. They will eventually serve 80 clients in each community. ACT teams are actively involved in outreach and are on hand to stabilize crises whenever they occur. The team has on-call coverage 24/7. “These are individuals who frequently have substance use issues. They are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and 18 Healthier You spring 2016
they are high users of hospital and police services. Their care needs are complex and they have not benefitted from our traditional mental health and substance use programs,” explains Lisa Wensink, ACT team leader in Kelowna. “Many are referred to the team from Interior Health’s Mental Health programs but we also hear from our partners, such as local police.” It is these partnerships and the multidisciplinary team behind ACT that makes the program so unique. The ACT team consists of: a team leader; occupational therapist; four nurses; a social worker; two community mental health workers; vocational rehab specialist; substance use specialist; peer support worker; administrative support; and a psychiatrist. “The team approach is powerful and that extends to our partners,” says Lisa. “A big part of our work is liaising with them to provide a really comprehensive service. We frequently are in contact with police, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and probation services, because many of our clients have had legal issues. We also work with the hospital to ensure the transition from hospital to home is seamless. We work with the Ministry of Social Development around financial support, and also with agencies such as food banks and shelters.” “The Kelowna RCMP work very closely with street entrenched individuals who reside in the city’s downtown core, and who are often prime candidates for the ACT team,” says Corporal Carrie Seale, a regular member of the RCMP for 18 years and currently working in the detachment’s Downtown Enforcement Unit (DEU). “Having worked in this area of policing for over half my service, I have personally noted that more and more of our clients who end up homeless on the streets, often also suffer from persistent mental health concerns, as well as various substance abuse and addiction issues.” “The ACT team liaises directly with the RCMP on a regular basis for referrals and will then follow-up with these Kamloops team helps house homeless Since May 2015, ASK Wellness Rapid Rehousing team and the ACT team have worked together to provide safe and affordable housing and community supports to mutual clients in Kamloops. This working partnership is already proving to be beneficial to landlords and tenants. Called the Rapid Rehousing team, they secure housing throughout the community in ASK’s name with the intention that clients will take over tenancy when deemed ready. ASK provides necessary support to the tenant/ landlord relationship, which is imperative to securing and maintaining housing. The ACT team provides the necessary clinical services, which reassures participating landlords that each tenant is adequately supported and available to them as needed. “ACT team members are always easy to get a hold of for assistance and consultation. Their service is 24 hours each day, whether it be in person or by telephone, which reassures landlords that they have a support team to turn to if they need guidance,” says ASK Wellness Social Worker Kim Galloway. “One landlord in the program reported a 15 minute response time from the time she called for assistance. An ACT member along with a Rapid Rehousing member addressed her concern immediately and tenancy was maintained.” “As part of the Rapid Rehousing team, I have seen the success of this program grow very quickly. The roles of ASK and ACT are distinct; however, we work together to ensure the success of the program. Landlord response is very positive and there is a recognised appreciation for the level of commitment to both housing support and clinical services. We are excited for continued work with the ACT team and further expansion and development of our program.” We specialize in placing skilled medical field personnel. SPH ProvideS HealtH care workforce SolutionS from our domeStic and international databaSe. We are a placement agency with access to nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and more in the field of health care. Request a sample profile from the database on our website. Or call our office directly to see how we can assist your business acquire workers with the knowledge and expertise you require. sphpoweratwork.com sphpoweratwork@gmail.com Tel: 250.314.6555 TF: 1.855.CALLSPH (1.855.522.5577) 390-546 St. Paul Street Kamloops, B.C. V2C 5T1 spring 2016 Healthier You 19
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