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| TODAY'S NEWS | SEARCH THE NEWSROOM | NEWS BY MINISTRY |
Community Investment Will Help Non-violent Offenders Get The Care They
Need
TORONTO, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is helping more people
with mental illness stay out of the criminal justice and correctional systems
by investing in community mental health services where they can receive the
treatment they need, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman
announced today.
"Wherever possible, mentally ill people should receive care and support
in their own communities," Smitherman said. "We're investing in community
mental health services, so that more Ontarians with mental illness can get the
care they need outside of hospitals or correctional facilities, and as close
to home as possible."
The government is investing $27.5 million annually in community mental
health agencies across the province that will provide services to an
additional 12,000 people. Mental health services will be provided to non-
violent offenders. People with mental illness who commit serious crimes will
continue to be prosecuted under the criminal code.
The investment, the first of its kind in Ontario, will be used to expand
services in the five following key areas:
- Crisis response and outreach, to provide access to a range of
services and supports on a 24/7 basis to individuals experiencing a
mental health crisis.
- Short-term residential crisis support beds, which are often referred
to as "safe beds," that can be used as an alternative to custody or
hospital beds.
- Court support services, located in the courts, to assist with cases
involving the mentally ill.
- Intensive case management, to identify and provide the services
required to keep people in the community with adequate supports.
- Supportive housing services, which provide longer-term housing with
mental health services.
"There are people in the justice system who simply shouldn't be there,"
said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter. "This
has increased pressures on both our police and correctional services. This
investment goes a long way to relieve those pressures while making sure these
individuals get the care they need."
"Our government is committed to the fair and compassionate treatment of
mentally ill persons by the criminal justice system," said Attorney General
Michael Bryant. "We expect that these community-based enhancements will reduce
the number of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system and
allow them to access the treatment and services they need."
"We're seeing increasing numbers of people with mental illness ending up
in hospitals or jails unnecessarily, simply because they are not receiving the
help and support they need in their community," said Steve Lurie, executive
director of Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto Branch, and chair of
the Toronto Mental Health and Justice Committee. "The government is to be
congratulated for stepping forward and expanding these critical community
services."
Since 1995, there has been a 27 per cent increase in the number of
mentally ill people who have been admitted to correctional facilities in
Ontario.
Today's $27.5 million funding announcement is part of the government's
$65 million increase in 2004/05 to improve access to services for people with
mental illness, announced on June 14, 2004. This funding brings the
government's total annual investment in community mental health to
$463 million. The government will add another $120 million over the next few
years, reaching $583 million annually by 2007/08.
This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
Version française disponible
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BACKGROUNDER
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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT HELPING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
GET THE CARE THEY NEED
The McGuinty government is helping more people with mental illness stay
out of the criminal justice and correctional systems by investing
$27.5 million annually in community mental health services where they can
receive the treatment they need. These services are designed for people with
mental illness who may come in contact with the law or those at risk of being
criminally prosecuted.
Services include crisis response and outreach services, short-term
resident crisis support beds, court support services, intensive case
management, and supportive housing.
Crisis Response and Outreach Services provide rapid assessment and
intervention services on a 24/7 basis for people experiencing a mental health
crisis. Mental health providers have the ability to travel directly to the
person in crisis and provide treatment there.
Short Term Residential Crisis Support Beds, often referred to as "safe
beds," are used for temporary emergency housing. The beds provide an address
where the person can be released on bail and receive any necessary medication.
They also provide time to arrange longer-term housing and treatment.
Supportive Housing Units provide longer-term accommodation where mentally
ill people can be supervised and provided with intensive case management
services.
Court Support Services link people with mental illness to treatment and
support services as a way to lessen the chance that they will re-offend. These
services also arrange court-ordered assessments of mental fitness and/or
criminal responsibility.
Intensive Case Management Services involve working with mentally ill
people to keep them living in the community by providing necessary supports
that match their needs.
Listed below is a breakdown of the funding and the type of services being
provided:
<<
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AGENCY DISTRICT FUNDING
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CENTRAL EAST REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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Canadian Mental Health Association Peterborough $252,000
(CMHA) Peterborough
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CMHA Barrie Simcoe Simcoe $252,000
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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York Support Services York $425,000
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Colborne Community Durham $141,000
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CMHA Barrie Simcoe Simcoe $284,000
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Court Support Services
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CMHA York Region York $336,000
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Colborne Community Durham $252,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association Peterborough $168,000
Peterborough Branch
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Royal Victoria Hospital Simcoe $42,000
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CMHA Barrie Simcoe Simcoe $336,000
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Intensive Case Management
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CMHA York Region York $252,000
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CMHA Durham Durham $252,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association Peterborough $84,000
Peterborough Branch
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Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, $84,000
City of Kawartha Lakes Pine Ridge
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Campbellford & District Community Northumberland $84,000
Mental Health Centre
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Wendat Community Psychiatric Support Simcoe $84,000
Program
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Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Simcoe $84,000
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Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle Simcoe $168,000
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CENTRAL EAST REGION TOTAL $3,580,000
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CENTRAL SOUTH REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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Adult Mental Health Services - CAST Haldimand/Norfolk $42,000
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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CMHA - Niagara Safe Beds Program Niagara $85,000
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Court Support Services
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Erie's North Shore Housing Haldimand/Norfolk $42,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association Hamilton $84,000
- Hamilton Branch
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CMHA Niagara Niagara $84,000
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CMHA Brant Brant $84,000
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Intensive Case Management
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Canadian Mental Health Association Hamilton $252,000
- Hamilton Branch
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Canadian Mental Health Association Niagara $168,000
- Niagara Branch
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Erie's North Shore Housing Haldimand/Norfolk $84,000
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CMHA Brant Brant $84,000
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CENTRAL SOUTH REGION TOTAL $1,009,000
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CENTRAL WEST REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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Community Mental Health Clinic Wellington-Dufferin $419,702
- Wellington-Dufferin
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Peel $250,000
Peel Branch
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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Waterloo Regional Homes Program Waterloo $405,941
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Halton $657,867
Halton Region
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Peel $871,325
Peel Branch
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Court Support Services
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Community Mental Health Clinic Wellington-Dufferin $252,000
- Wellington-Dufferin
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Halton $252,000
Halton Region
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Peel $196,000
Peel Branch
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Intensive Case Management
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Waterloo Regional Homes for Waterloo $80,233
Mental Health Inc.
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Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Halton $80,233
Corporation - Community Mental
Health Programme
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Halton $80,233
Halton Region
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Canadian Mental Health Association/ Peel $160,466
Peel Branch
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CENTRAL WEST REGION TOTAL $3,706,000
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EAST REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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Frontenac Community Mental Health Frontenac $104,000
Services
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Quinte Healthcare - Crisis Hastings $95,000
Intervention Centre
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Mobile Outreach Team For The Homeless Leeds/Grenville $95,000
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Community Mental Health Centre for Prescott Russell $94,000
Prescott-Russell
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Community Mental Health Services of Renfrew $100,000
Renfrew County
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Tri-County Mental Health Services Stormont/Glengarry/ $100,000
Dundas
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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Frontenac Community Mental Health Frontenac $297,500
Services
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Mental Health Community Services Ottawa $297,500
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Court Support Services
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Mental Health Services - Hastings Hastings $42,000
Prince Edward Corp.
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Leeds/Grenville $42,000
Leeds-Grenville Branch
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Montfort Renaissance Inc. Ottawa $84,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa $420,000
- Ottawa-Carleton Branch
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Community Mental Health Services of Renfrew $84,000
Renfrew County
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CMH Sup Prog of Stormont, Dundas & Stormont/Glengarry/ $168,000
Glengarry/PR Dundas
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Intensive Case Management
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Frontenac Community Mental Health Frontenac $336,000
Services
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Mental Health Services - Hastings Hastings $84,000
Prince Edward Corp.
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Lanark County Mental Health Lanark $84,000
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Leeds, Grenville Rehabilitation & Leeds/Grenville $84,000
Counselling Service
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Lennox & Addington Community Mental Lennox/Addington $84,000
Health Services
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Montfort Renaissance Inc. Ottawa $84,000
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Centre Royal Comtois Prescott Russell $84,000
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Community Mental Health Services Renfrew $84,000
of Renfrew County
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CMH Sup Prog of Stormont, Dundas & Stormont/Glengarry/ $84,000
Glengarry/PR Dundas
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Supportive Housing
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Frontenac Community Mental Health Frontenac $61,000
Services
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Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa $259,000
- Ottawa-Carleton Branch
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EAST REGION TOTAL $3,351,000
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NORTH REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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Hopital Regionale de Sudbury Sudbury/Manitoulin $84,000
Regional Hospital
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Dilico Ojibway Tribal Children Thunder Bay $84,000
and Family Services
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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MidStep Psychiatric Day Treatment, Cochrane $85,000
Timmins and District Hospital
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Nipissing Crisis Intervention Nipissing $85,000
Centre, North Bay General Hospital
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Court Support Services
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Psychosocial Services, CMHA Algoma $42,000
- Sault Ste. Marie Br.
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Alemotaeta - James Bay Comm. Mental Cochrane $42,000
Health Program, James Bay General
Hospital
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3-C Centre, CMHA - Sudbury Branch Sudbury $84,000
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Community Mental Health Services, Muskoka $42,000
Muskoka-Parry Sound Comm. Mental
Health Service
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Nipissing Social Rehabilitation & Nipissing $84,000
Housing Programs, CMHA - Nipissing
Regional Branch
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CMHA - Timiskaming Programs, CMHA Timiskaming $42,000
- Cochrane Timiskaming Branch
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New Foundations, CMHA Thunder Bay $84,000
- Thunder Bay Branch
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Psychology Community Mental Health Thunder Bay $84,000
Program, Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre
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Intensive Case Management
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Psychosocial Services, CMHA Algoma $126,000
- Sault Ste. Marie Br.
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CMHA - Timmins Programs, CMHA Cochrane $84,000
- Cochrane Timiskaming Branch
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Alemotaeta - James Bay Comm. Mental Cochrane $42,000
Health Program, James Bay General
Hospital
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3-C Centre, CMHA - Sudbury Branch Sudbury $84,000
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Community Mental Health Services, Muskoka $42,000
Muskoka-Parry Sound Comm. Mental
Health Service
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Nipissing Social Rehabilitation & Nipissing $84,000
Housing Programs, CMHA - Nipissing
Regional Branch
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CMHA - Timiskaming Programs, CMHA Timiskaming $42,000
- Cochrane Timiskaming Branch
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Red Lake/Ear Falls Community Kenora/Rainy River $42,000
Counselling Services, The Red Lake
Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital
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Dryden Regional Mental Health and Kenora/Rainy River $42,000
Addictions Services, Dryden Regional
Health Centre
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Community Counselling & Addictions Kenora/Rainy River $84,000
Services, Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win
Health Centre
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New Directions Counselling Centre Kenora/Rainy River $126,000
(Kenora) Inc.
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New Foundations, CMHA Thunder Bay $84,000
- Thunder Bay Branch
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Psychology Community Mental Health Thunder Bay $168,000
Program, Thunder Bay Regional Health
Sciences Centre
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Alpha Court Non-Profit Housing Thunder Bay $42,000
Corporation
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Psychogeriatric Outreach, Thunder Bay $84,000
St. Joseph's Care Group
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Supportive Housing
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Algoma Community Psychiatric Case Algoma $331,500
Management, Board of Health for
the Algoma Health Unit
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NORTH REGION TOTAL $2,349,500
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SOUTHWEST REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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CMHA Grey Bruce Grey $168,000
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Community Crisis Centre of Essex $168,000
Windsor-Essex County
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CMHA London-Middlesex Branch Middlesex $168,000
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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CMHA London-Middlesex Branch Middlesex $255,000
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CMHA Windsor Essex Essex $170,000
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Court Support Services
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CMHA Chatham Kent Branch Chatham-Kent $84,000
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CMHA Windsor-Essex County Branch Essex $84,000
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CMHA Grey Bruce Grey $168,000
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CMHA London-Middlesex Branch Middlesex $168,000
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CMHA Community Support Services Oxford $84,000
Oxford County
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Intensive Case Management
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CMHA Grey Bruce Grey $168,000
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CMHA Windsor-Essex County Branch Essex $168,000
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CMHA Community Support Services Oxford $84,000
Oxford County
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CMHA London-Middlesex Branch Middlesex $168,000
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Supportive Housing
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Grey Bruce Community Health Grey $81,990
Corporation
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CMHA Windsor-Essex County Branch Essex $435,510
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CMHA Lambton County Branch Lambton $162,510
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CMHA Community Support Services Oxford $76,140
Oxford County
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CMHA Elgin Branch Elgin $84,910
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SOUTHWEST REGION TOTAL $2,946,060
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TORONTO REGION
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Crisis Response/Outreach Services
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St. Joseph's Health Ctr. Toronto $252,000
(Comm. Mental Health Prog.)
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Sound Times Support Services of Toronto $252,000
Metropolitan Toronto
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COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation Toronto $168,000
and Mental Health Services
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Reconnect Mental Health Services Inc. Toronto $252,000
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Central Toronto Youth Services Toronto $252,000
(New Outlook)
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto $252,000
Metropolitan Toronto Branch
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St. Michael's Hospital (CONTACT Toronto $130,000
Mental Health Outreach Services)
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Short-Term Crisis Support Beds
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COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation Toronto $350,000
and Mental Health Services
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Reconnect Mental Health Services Inc. Toronto $350,000
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Gerstein Crisis Centre Toronto $350,000
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto $350,000
Metropolitan Toronto Branch
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Court Support Services
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Community Resources Consultants Toronto $252,000
of Toronto
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COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation Toronto $84,000
and Mental Health Services
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto $168,000
Metropolitan Toronto Branch
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Intensive Case Management
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Community Resources Consultants Toronto $84,000
of Toronto
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COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation Toronto $84,000
and Mental Health Services
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Scarborough Hospital CMH Program Toronto $84,000
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Homeward Mental Health Projects Toronto $84,000
of Metropolitan Toronto
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto $168,000
Metropolitan Toronto Branch
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North York General Hospital Toronto $84,000
(Adult Mental Health Services)
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Supportive Housing
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Houselink Community Homes Inc. Toronto $1,565,090
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COTA Comprehensive Rehabilitation Toronto $1,647,450
and Mental Health Services
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Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto $1,647,450
Metropolitan Toronto Branch
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Loft Community Services Toronto $1,647,450
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TORONTO REGION TOTAL $10,557,440
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GRAND TOTAL $27,499,000
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STAKEHOLDER QUOTES
"Mental illness and addiction have long been the orphans of the
healthcare system. This investment into the community mental health system is
an important step to begin addressing the needs of people with mental illness
and addiction and ensuring a continuum of care between hospital and community.
It is also an important step in addressing the needs of people with mental
illness who are also facing criminal charges." -- Gail Czukar, Executive Vice
President of Policy and Planning at the Centre for Addictions and Mental
Health (CAMH).
"For far too long the criminal justice and correctional system has been a
dumping ground for people with mental illness and addictions. This
announcement by the Ontario government will make a difference for people whose
health problems lead them to be inappropriately trapped in the jail system
when they could be receiving community supports. Congratulations to Ontario
for continuing to build a mental health and addiction system that directly
helps people who have been inappropriately marginalized". -- David Kelly,
Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and
Addiction Programs
"For many years, frontline police officers have had few options in
dealing with individuals suffering from mental illnesses. Police had to resort
the the criminal justice system to get individuals into the health care
system. Today's announcement gives police, the individual and society in
general a far better option." -- Murray Faulkner, London Police Chief
>>
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For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; Dan Strasbourg, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
Other news releases disseminated by this ministry
