Healthier You

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.”
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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