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 [email protected]
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Thank you!Pam Nir [email protected]
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