Frontline support services in Grey County have come together to form an innovative new outreach service for vulnerable people in Hanover, Owen Sound and throughout Grey Bruce. The Grey Bruce Supportive Outreach Service, called S.O.S. for short, is a proactive and accessible partnership of community care providers. Together, social workers and health care providers offer bi-weekly clinics for vulnerable people suffering from mental health and substance use issues. Clinics are offered in downtown Owen Sound at the Farmers’ Market and in Hanover at the Grace United Church. Outreach services include health and medical care, peer support, mental health and addiction support, harm reduction education and supplies, housing and shelter system navigation, vaccination, clothing, food and more.
In addition, a mobile team was activated in January to provide individual follow up on non-clinic days. The team includes addictions a specialist physician, nurse practitioner, mental health and addictions counsellor, community paramedic, and a social navigator. The mobile team is funded by Ontario Health West through the Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team (OHT).
Grey Bruce Supportive Outreach Service includes partners from Grey County paramedic services and social services, the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey-Bruce, Grey Bruce Health Services, Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Salvation Army, the United Way and more. Discussions are underway to extend the service to Bruce County communities.
“Vulnerable people who are homeless or transient with limited access to care are at tremendous risk of negative physical and mental health issues,” said Grey County’s Director of Paramedic Services, Kevin McNab. “Supportive Outreach is a new approach to help deliver services directly to the people who need them. The clinics offer person-centred care and wrap-around mobile response that can improve health outcomes for those in our community who are more likely to face barriers in accessing the services they need.”
The Supportive Outreach Service was formed after a number of local organizations got together to help a group of individuals who were impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks and had limited access to healthcare, stable housing and other supports.
“For individuals with barriers to care, Supportive Outreach has proven to be a more effective way to access support services,” said McNab. “Every other week the drop-in clinics create a touch point for intervention and support for critical health needs that may otherwise go unmet.”
Approximately 36 individuals attended the January 5 clinic in Hanover and 90 individuals attended the January 12 clinic in Owen Sound. The mobile team assists up to 30 people per day.
“Supportive Outreach has changed what frontline social support looks like and is showing the benefit of meeting people where they are at and providing wrap-around care. We’ve learned a lot through this partnership, and we hope to keep the program moving forward.”
Donations in support of those accessing the Supportive Outreach Services can be made online through the United Way at www.stufftheyneed.ca
