Approvals - STACEY

A framework has been established to strengthen how Halton Region and service providers identify and support individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This includes a centralized model of intake and referral, a common assessment tool and greater connectivity to mental health services. As of August 1, 2020, a total of 70 homeless households have received an offer of housing through the framework for coordinated access.

A number of investments continue to be made through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund to support individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. This includes $78,535 to Home Suite Hope to develop a pilot project to enhance access to life skills programming; $48,626 to Shifra Homes to support young pregnant women with housing and mental health supports; and $548,854 over three years to the Canadian Mental Health Association (Halton Region Branch) to support one-on-one mental health and addictions counselling, crisis intervention and group programming at the Salvation Army Lighthouse Shelter.

A Sexual Assault Advisory Committee has completed an initial review of sexual assault investigations by the Halton Regional Police Service. Recommendations have been provided to the Halton Police Board to make it easier for survivors to come forward. In addition, more than 800 officers have been trained on how to support and respond to survivors of sexual assualt. 

In collaboration with a wide range of partners, the Halton Children’s Aid Society (CAS) has received more than $150,000 from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund to support access to education, training, employment and mentorship for youth aged 18 to 24 leaving the child welfare system. An additional $25,500 was provided to support access to housing for youth participating in the program. A total of 26 youth have been supported through the pilot; an evaluation on the initial pilot phase is being completed in fall 2020. 

Work has begun on a community alcohol report that will provide a broad range of perspectives on alcohol consumption in Halton and contribute insights to a strategy to reduce harmful alcohol consumption and related health and social impacts. Other key activities include preliminary work on a Regional alcohol policy and the development of tools and resources to support alcohol policy development at local municipalities. The work of this table has been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, next steps will be determined in fall 2020. 

An action plan has been developed to strengthen how the community identifies and supports older adults who are isolated or at risk of isolation.

Links2Care received $105,000 through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF) to identify and support older adults who are isolated or at-risk of isolation.

Community Development Halton received $60,000 through the HRCIF to hire a part-time coordinator for the Halton Senior Connectors program, which offers resources and referrals for older adults.

Oakville Meals on Wheels received $47,205 through the HRCIF to support the agency’s ongoing operations of delivering meals to older adults and preventing isolation.

An Action Table was established to explore a Halton framework to support children and youth with both a developmental and mental health diagnosis (dual diagnosis). Central West Specialized Developmental Services was awarded with a 2020 HRCIF grant of $70,598 to support next steps including consultation with services providers, training and knowledge mobilization and the design of a framework a Halton framework to more effectively serve youth who have a dual diagnosis.

In November 2019, Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service convened stakeholders to explore the development of a coordinated, evidence-informed approach to address opioid use and related harms in Halton. A series of community consultations was planned for spring 2020 but was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Next steps will be determined in fall 2020.

An ad hoc Action Table was established at the outset of the pandemic to support coordination and information sharing between partners.

An Action Table to support greater coordination among food security programs has been established and will begin meeting in fall 2020.