A VERY HIGH PROPORTION of this City's homeless and underhoused population is located within the boundaries served by the Toronto Community Care Access Centre and the growing numbers are having a significant impact on the demand for our services. The character of homelessness has undergone significant change in recent years. Youth and families are now the fastest growing group in the homeless, underhoused and at-risk populations. Responding to the needs of these populations is a high priority for the Toronto Community Care Access Centre.
In providing services for the homeless, there are five essential steps the Toronto Community Care Access Centre takes in implementing a program to ensure it will result in effective outcomes.
First a need is acknowledged, usually after first being identified by a Care Coordinator or by an organization in the community.
Second partnerships with key players in the community are developed and mobilized to deliver the service. Partners may include a community drop-in agency or a hostel.
Third a needs assessment is carried out to define the need and tailor services to address it in the most appropriate manner. This includes the development of goals and objectives for new service initiatives.
Fourth the roles, responsibilities and collaborative decision-making processes must be established to the satisfaction of all partners involved to ensure goals and objectives are met and services are delivered in a seamless and effective manner.
And the fifth step is evaluation of the program to make sure needs are being successfully addressed and the most effective outcomes are achieved.
One example of responding to the needs of the homeless can be seen in the services provided at a number Out of the Cold Programs centred in the old City of Toronto. In an effort to provide health services in a familiar and non-threatening environment, the Toronto Community Care Access Centre created partnerships with various Out of the Cold/Drop-In centres and hostels to allow visiting nurses to provide medical care to the homeless on these sites. Last year, close to 1,000 homeless individuals received nursing care in a hostel, a drop-in centre or in another site housing an Out of the Cold program. The Toronto Community Care Access Centre contracted these services through community nursing agencies.
The Lice and Scabies Control Program, launched in March 1999, is another example of responding to the needs of the homeless. This program, developed to address, control and prevent the occurrence and spread of lice, scabies, crabs, etc., was launched as a cooperative endeavour by a partnership involving five community agencies:
Each partner assumes an individual area of responsibility:
This program is a prime example of how successful strategic alliances can improve and streamline services to the homeless. Each partner is committed to the six elements of success:
The Toronto Community Care Access Centre also works closely with the Regent Park Community Health Centre to provide homeless individuals throughout the old City of Toronto with a range of services including outreach and assessment to identify health and social needs; mental health and addiction services; linkages to other support services; coordination and case management; life skills training and assistance in obtaining housing.
Our challenge for the years ahead will be to continue to work to expand and streamline services to the homeless by strengthening existing partnerships and forging new ones with various stakeholders in the community and in the health sector. To ensure limited resources are used effectively, we will seek out creative and innovative approaches to developing more programs and services so care can be delivered smoothly from one sector of the health service delivery system to another.
© 2000, 2001, 2002 Toronto Community Care Access Centre