Media Release | September 20
Sep 20, 2024
SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON, ON
CMHA TVAMHS Submits Letter of Intent to Lead Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in London
London, ON — The Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA TVAMHS) is proud to announce the submission of a letter of intent to the Province of Ontario to propose a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in London.
This initiative represents an opportunity to collaboratively address homelessness and addiction challenges within the community. We are working with community partners and the City of London to establish the criteria for the HART Hub, ensuring it effectively meets the unique needs of London residents. CMHA TVAMHS will be designated the lead for the HART Hub.
“Our experience in Supportive housing, mental health, and addiction services uniquely positions us to lead this initiative,” said Pam Tobin, CEO of CMHA TVAMHS. “We are ready and well-suited to expand our support to the community through the HART Hub.”
As an agency, CMHA TVAMHS has experienced financial challenges after reporting the first deficit in the agency’s history. CMHA TVAMHS has worked carefully to limit the impact of the deficit on staff roles and client services. Following a restructuring of the leadership team, CMHA TVAMHS has worked to ensure minimal staff displacement and reduction of roles across the region.
To date, the agency has been able to retain all full-time unionized staff. Through strategic operations and voluntary exits, the agency has been able to shift and absorb restructured employees into other roles.
“Our financial constraints have presented many challenges,” said Tobin. “Our hardworking staff have been impacted by the realignment of resources and I appreciate how stressful this process has been. Looking ahead, there is hope- and our collaboration in London’s HART Hub proposal is evidence of that.”
CMHA TVAMHS has collaborated with partners to develop supports in London through the Whole of Community Response initiative. This initiative has given London experience in this style of service delivery and ensures the community is capable of the collaboration needed to operate a HART Hub.
“Our commitment to the community remains unwavering,” adds Tobin. “We are hopeful about the prospect of providing additional supports for our community through a HART Hub. This opportunity enables us to extend our impact and contribute to a stronger, healthier London for everyone.”
Collaboration is at the centre of the HART Hub initiative. By uniting expertise and resources with local organizations, service providers, and the City of London, the proposal aims to create a comprehensive system to house and support the most vulnerable members of the community.
The formal proposal submission is scheduled for October and will reflect the collaboration of all partners involved. The HART Hub is possible through investment from the provincial government and the support of the City of London and the Whole of Community Response initiative. This collective effort highlights the commitment of the community to advance services to individuals with high acuity needs.
Approval of a HART Hub proposal in London will not only expand services in London but also allow CMHA TVAMHS to allocate additional resources to support HART Hubs in other communities.
“We serve a region larger than London,” said Dean Astolfi, VP of Supportive Housing & Program Development “If this proposal is successful, it will help us better support our partners in Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, and Huron with their efforts, including other HART Hub proposals.”
With their partners, CMHA TVAMHS expects to submit London’s proposal to the province by October 18.
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About Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services across Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and South Huron Counties. The continuum of services includes crisis intervention and virtual supports, mobile crisis teams, police partnerships, case management, counseling, and community wellness programs for both individuals and their families. Housing supports and addiction medicine services are also available. Treatment and service plans are developed based on standardized screening and assessment protocols and procedures. The organization was established in April 2021 when three organizations (Addiction Services of Thames Valley, CMHA Elgin-Middlesex, and CMHA Oxford) united to better serve the mental health and addiction needs of the Thames Valley Region. It is guided by its vision “resilience for all through positive mental health and freedom from addiction”. www.cmhatv.ca
Media Contact:
Jillian Driessen | Communications Coordinator
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
communications@cmhatv.ca | 519-673-3242 ext. 1293