The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) says it will begin direct delivery of Outreach Services for people experiencing homelessness across the district as of next Friday (May 1).
DNSSAB says the change comes after a recent procurement process for the outreach didn’t result in a successful proponent.
Officials say outreach services are essential for those experiencing homelessness in the district, and plays a critical role in engaging people where they are, building trust and responds to immediate needs, all while connecting them with housing, health care and social supports.
Those services are delivered through scheduled Community Paramedicine Outreach Clinics at the following locations:
- The Gathering Place – Every other week
- Suswin Village – Every other week
- CAMP Main Street (Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre) – As scheduled
- CAMP Main Street (Outreach Team) – Every week
- CAMP Main Street (Sacred Way) – Every other Saturday
- West Nipissing Unsheltered – Monthly
- West Nipissing – No More Tears West Nipissing – Monthly
- North Bay Unsheltered – Every other Thursday
- Northern Pines – On-site Community Paramedicine support – Scheduled as needed
- Canadian Mental Health Association (Outreach provided as needed at the drop-in centre) – Approximately every three months
The Board says transitions can present challenges and it will take time to fully establish the service, and due to budgetary constraints, may not look exactly the same as before.
DSSAB says the focus is to proactively build trust, assess needs,
and connect individuals with essential resources such as shelter, food, health care, and social supports. These services aim to reduce barriers to access, promote social inclusion, and facilitate pathways to stable housing and improved well being, all while respecting the dignity and autonomy of each individual.
DNSSAB will continue working closely with community partners, including the CAB, and Coordinated Access Nipissing as Outreach Services are established under the new
model. The Board remains committed to maintaining essential outreach functions and strengthening integration between homelessness outreach and health supports across
the District.
