Latest news with #HARTHub
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
CMHA Algoma ready but still waiting on HART Hub funding
CMHA Algoma awaits provincial funding letter for Sault Ste. Marie's HART Hub six months after the announcement. CEO Lisa Case says preparations continue, including staff training and housing plans, but hiring and services remain stalled without confirmed funds. Cory Nordstrom reports.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
CMHA Algoma awaits provincial HART Hub funding 6 months after announcement
CMHA Algoma awaits provincial funding letter for Sault Ste. Marie's HART Hub six months after the announcement. Six months after Sault Ste. Marie was named one of 28 communities set to receive a share of nearly $500 million in provincial funding for homelessness and addiction treatment, no money has been transferred. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Algoma, the designated service provider for the local Homelessness & Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, says it is still waiting for the official funding letter outlining the terms and conditions. Community Resource Centre The exterior of Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma's Community Resource Centre on July 25, 2025. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario) Funding delay frustrates progress Lisa Case, CEO of CMHA Algoma, expressed cautious optimism about the situation. 'I think we're very close. I hope we're very close,' she said. Despite the lack of confirmed funding, Case emphasized that her team has remained proactive. Lisa Case Lisa Case, the CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association Algoma, speaks with CTV News on July 25, 2025. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'Our team is as ready as we can be with the information that we have so far. We are working actively on finalizing job descriptions, service agreements, training, education, service pathways and what those will look like and how they may change,' she said. While some staff are already undergoing training for new roles within the HART Hub, Case noted that additional hiring will be necessary once funding is secured. Multi-faceted approach to homelessness and addiction Each HART Hub service provider will address homelessness and addiction through tailored strategies. Case stated that CMHA Algoma's comprehensive plans will allow them to act swiftly once funding arrives. 'Part of our proposal is to be able to enhance the services that we already have in our offering,' she said. 'By doing that, we will be able to free up some additional funds in the system with another partner to create more supports in our community. That's going to be tied to both the community safety and well-being plan and the homelessness plan in our community.' Key components of the proposal include restructuring operations at the Community Resource Centre, relocating the low-barrier shelter and adding 50 new supportive housing units. 'Not just housing, but with supports, with case management, housing outreach, mental health and addictions counselling, addiction medicine, a bit of primary care as well,' Case elaborated. Collaboration across northern Ontario While awaiting provincial confirmation, CMHA Algoma has been leveraging partnerships to prepare for implementation. 'CMHAs across the province that are lead agencies for the HART Hubs – we have a community of practice. We meet regularly to discuss everything from site planning, job descriptions, recruitment, training, service models, pathways—the whole bit,' Case said. She also highlighted coordination with other northern Ontario HART Hubs through a separate pan-Northern community of practice. Additionally, CMHA Algoma maintains near-daily communication with Health Sciences North in Greater Sudbury and Mamaweswen leadership, though both organizations are also awaiting formal funding letters from the province. Health Sciences North moves forward, Mamaweswen silent Sudbury's Lorraine Street Project, part of its HART Hub application, opened this week. However, Health Sciences North officials did not clarify whether the launch was connected to HART Hub funding. Meanwhile, Mamaweswen leadership did not respond to requests for comment. 'Chomping at the bit' As the province finalizes funding agreements, CMHA Algoma remains poised to act. 'We're chomping at the bit to move this forward,' Case reiterated, underscoring the urgency of addressing homelessness and addiction in Sault Ste. Marie.
Hamilton Spectator
17-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Very concerned': Peel Region's only supervised drug consumption site was forced to close in May, the promised HART Hub still isn't open
After Ontario's Bill 223 banned supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of schools, the province announced that Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs would replace them. But months after Peel Region's only SCS shut down, the promised Brampton HART Hub has yet to open. In a July 11 email, Peel Region confirmed they anticipate the site will launch in October. The Brampton site — Peel Urgent Public Health Need Site — wasn't located near a school, but it was forced to close under a separate provision of the law that bars municipalities from financially supporting or hosting supervised consumption services. In a June 24 email from Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin — who will be running the Brampton HART Hub — they commented on the site currently not being operational. 'At this time, we are finalizing our implementation plan while awaiting final funding details from the province, which are necessary to move forward with operations,' said CMHA Peel Dufferin in an email. When asked for more recent updates, as of July 15, they did not respond. In a July 11 email, Ema Popovic — spokesperson for the Minister of Health — mentioned that nine HART Hubs have been opened across the province and that they are 'continuing to work with the remaining HART Hubs', including the Peel-Dufferin hub, 'to finalize operational budgets as soon as possible.' Though Brampton Guardian asked the ministry, from their perspective, when the Peel-Dufferin HART Hub was expected to open, they did not answer the question and provided no timeline. Brampton Guardian also questioned why the final funding had not been approved yet, to which they did not respond. The ministry was also asked about what level of urgency the province was assigning to launching the Brampton site, given that no other regional alternative currently exists following the UPHNS closure, to which they also did not directly respond. Despite both the CMHA Peel Dufferin and the Ministry of Health — two key partners in its launch — not providing clear timelines for its opening, Peel Region, meanwhile, told the Brampton Guardian that renovations for an October opening are expected to be completed in early fall. 'In the meantime, CMHA and its partners are mobilizing parts of the HART Hub model that can be put in place before the site officially opens,' they added in an email. On June 26, regional council recently approved the three-year use of space at 10 Peel Centre Dr. — where the former SCS operated — to house the new HART Hub. If the HART Hub indeed opens in October, this would mean a four month gap between when the Brampton SCS site closed and the new HART Hub opens — leaving drug users in Peel without access to either service in the mean time. In their email, Peel Region mentioned Peel Public Health has been working with community partners to reduce substance related harms and overdoses by providing naloxone and expanding harm reduction outreach. 'This includes more service hours and an increased presence near the former supervised consumption site,' they note. Additionally, they mention the Harm Reduction Program mobile program which offers a range of harm reduction services, including distribution of naloxone and referrals to community services such as mental health, income supports, and housing services. Moyo Health and Community Services — who operated Brampton's SCS site — said in an email that they continue to offer support to people who use drugs through their harm reduction van, outreach program, and satellite distribution programs. 'We distribute safe drug-taking supplies, including sterile needles and syringes, as well as naloxone. We offer people who use drugs education about safer drug use, overdose response, and refer individuals to needed services such as housing, income support, food, mental health and addictions support among other services,' said Jillian Watkins, executive director of MHCS. They also provide support at shelters and encampments across the Region, and also provide education to service providers in the community about approaches to service provision using a harm reduction perspective. Despite this, MHCS said they 'remain very concerned that individuals who previously used substances' at the SCS site, under medical supervision, no longer have the option. 'They are therefore more likely to use drugs alone or in high risk situations where they are at increased risk of overdose,' Watkins said. 'They have also lost access to the other services that were available at the site from our community partners, including primary care, housing services, mental health and addictions services.' She added that MHCS outreach team has reported to them that people who had been using the SCS feel the loss. 'They miss getting the wraparound supports that were offered and just having a safe place to be. Folks have reported that they are now forced to use in public spaces again and we're getting reports of folks that have been overdosing since the site closed,' she added. She also emphasized that, while the HART Hub services are dearly needed in the region, they are not an adequate replacement to supervised consumption services — both are needed. In the meantime, they await the result of a charter challenge that seeks to overturn parts of Bill 223 — the provincial legislation that led to the shutdown of supervised consumption services across Ontario. The case, filed by harm reduction service providers earlier this year, argues that the ban violates Charter rights to life, liberty, and security. 'We are awaiting a final ruling on the charter challenge […] so we can understand what our options are to seek funding to offer supervised consumption services in the Region of Peel at a future time,' said Watkins. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
14-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
New additions coming to Guelph's HART Hub this summer
Guelph's Homeless Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub, also known as a HART Hub, will receive new supportive crisis beds this summer. The hub offers a comprehensive range of services for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges and disorders related to substance use. Stonehenge Therapeutic Community will provide the crisis beds; one of three new additions being phased in over the next year. Mellisa Kwiatkowski, CEO of the Guelph Community Health Centre, said the number of beds will double by the end of the summer. 'Stonehenge Therapeutic Community will be running those beds. They currently offer a part-time crisis stabilization program; it's four part-time beds. And by the end of the summer, it'll be eight full-time beds operating,' Kwiatkowski said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She said the beds will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Wyndham Street location, which successfully transitioned to the provincial HART Hub model at the same location on April 1. The crisis stabilization program helps people stabilize, recover and sleep as well as seek support. Story continues below advertisement The hub provides housing, treatment support to adults and youth 16 years old and up. Since transitioning, the hub has seen 240 visits per day. The other two additions are a withdrawal management program and a supportive housing program. Kwiatkowski said the hub will aim to expand on the supportive housing program to support 150 new clients in Guelph and the surrounding area. The withdrawal management program won't open until next spring, according to Kwiatkowski. 'We've never had withdrawal management services in this community, so we need time to find and build the space for that,' she said. Kwiatkowski said the new additions will benefit and positively impact the community. 'What we're advocating for is a full continuum that would include all of those treatment-based services that we definitely need in the community. And also, a full suite of harm-reduction services so that we have all the tools we need to keep people safe and healthy,' she said.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New HART Hub supports addiction and homelessness across Simcoe County
Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County. Basil Clarke, Warden of Simcoe County, said the collaboration between the partners will have a greater impact on people who use the programs. 'This is our first big step and coordinating all these groups to come together so we can have many people focus on one person,' said Clarke. 'It's all about treating individuals and getting them through the system and back into their lives.' The partners will provide eight different pathways including outreach, withdrawal management, live-in addiction treatment and pre-treatment, mental health treatment, crisis support, employment and social supports, housing, and Indigenous-specific services. HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) An end-to-end service – helping people create new lives. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, general manager of social and community services for the County of Simcoe, said the pathways will provide specific programs for each individual case. 'When you independently look at different programs and how they're funded, they often just treat one component of a much more complex issue,' said Fayez-Bahgat. 'Here, we're having an opportunity for someone to be treated in a customized way that addresses all the issues.' HART Hubs have been put in place throughout Ontario. Simcoe County is a unique program with services and supports across various locations – including Orillia and Midland, referred to as spokes. The region will be the only hub with mobile services instead of a central location. Sarah Banbury, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association with the Simcoe County Branch, said there are many benefits to having a mobile hub. 'Rather than having people come to us, we need to go to them, and we need to explain to them what their choices and options are, and the services that can be provided for them.' Katie Drake, Manager of the HART Hub, said each partner will offer programs so everyone can have a program to suit their needs. 'RVH is offering bed treatments. CMHA is offering community-based treatment,' said Drake. 'We can't really define what's going to work for somebody else.' HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) RVH announced a 21-day co-ed live-in addiction program in partnership with HART. Brian Irving, manager of addictions programs at RVH, said the program will provide a wide range of services. 'We're providing everything from individual counseling, group counseling, recreational therapy, life skills education, and composite discharge planning.' The HART Hub of Simcoe County is a three-year pilot project which has already begun to intake individuals who need assistance. Community wellness clinics will be hosted by the County of Simcoe's Community Paramedicine and the HART of Simcoe County navigation team. The clinics are intended for people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or seeking mental health and addiction support. Dates and locations for these clinics can be found here.
