Adapting ACT to Deliver Housing First: A Service Provider’s

PerspectivePam Nir, Senior Manager, Cota, Toronto

ACT/ICM Teams

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT):• Multi-disciplinary team with wrap-around services • Services and crisis coverage are available 24/7 • Staff to client ratio of 1:10

• Intensive Case Management Teams (ICM):• Case managers have individual case loads• Outreach and coordination with other services• Extended evening and weekend hours• Staff to client ratio of 1:16

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ACT Eligibility Criteria

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Catchment Area

Catchment Area

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HF: 6 Core Principles(Pathways to Housing)

1. Immediate access to housing with no housing readiness requirements

2. Consumer choice and self-determination

3. Individualized, client-driven and recovery-oriented supports

4. Separation of housing and services

5. Harm reduction

6. Community integration

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Client Engagement Activities

• Housing is the primary objective. Other work can occur simultaneously but achieving housing is first objective

• ACT and ICM provide services and support in all aspects of choosing, getting and keeping housing

• Clinical teams assist clients to maintain independent housing

• Housing stability seen as crucial to the Recovery process

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Clinical and Support Services

• Clinical services as homelessness prevention

• Eviction from housing is not discharge from clinical services

• Clinical services continue through housing loss, or relocations, in and out of hospital or jail

• ACT and ICM are community-based and can flexibly follow clients

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Evictions and Rehousing

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GuestsAggressive Behaviours

Illegal ActivityUnit Takeovers

(guests)

Tenancy Issues

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When Clients Want to Move

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Housing First Helpful Hint #1

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Housing First Helpful Hint #2

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Housing First Helpful Hint #3

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Housing First Helpful Hint #4

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Thank you!Pam Nir nir_p@cotainspires.ca

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Thank you!Pam Nir nir_p@cotainspires.ca

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