Latest news with #supportServices
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Oxfordshire homelessness services say next year 'critical'
Organisations involved in tackling rough sleeping have warned of a "critical 12 months ahead", due to funding pressures and changes to support from the Oxfordshire's local councils, as well as members of Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance, say a potential change in funding will increase the challenges they a report to Oxfordshire's Health and Wellbeing Board, the groups also warned of the impact of changes to organisations supporting people at risk of government is currently consulting on changes to the Homeless Prevention Grant - which is distributed to local authorities. Proposals are being made to redistribute more funds to places with higher local benefit claim adopted, the report said the changes would involve "large funding reductions" for all Oxfordshire's city and district councils."The transformation of our approach to rough sleeping is facing a critical 12 months ahead," the report organisations also warned that structural changes to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) would reduce the resources available and create uncertainty within the response to these challenges, Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance said it would be transforming the way it partnership said it had agreed a new budget in an attempt to mitigate the risks - including "fundamental" changes to its accommodation and support on latest figures for March 2025 show a slight reduction in rough sleeping in Oxfordshire, with 46 people recorded as sleeping on the streets compared to 48 people in the previous quarter.A majority of the county's rough sleepers are based in Oxford - which also accounts for the highest number of long term rough sleepers.A significantly higher number of people are considered as statutory homeless, which includes individuals who are in unsuitable or inconsistent accommodation - although the exact number in Oxfordshire is unknown. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
6 days ago
- 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.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hannah Yeoh pushes for online therapy as youth addiction soars, says ‘stay away' message no longer works
PETALING JAYA, June 21 – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has reportedly called for the adoption of online therapy and support services to address addiction among young Malaysians, saying conventional face-to-face counselling is no longer effective. She said traditional awareness campaigns urging youth to avoid drugs and other vices have failed to stem addiction, pointing to the persistent rise in such cases. 'For many years, the government has been doing the same thing, telling youths 'let's avoid doing this' or 'stay away from that', but it has not been effective,' she was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. 'We need a new approach, which is why I have told my ministry to start providing online support or online assistance.' Yeoh added that online therapy offers the anonymity and discretion many young people need to seek help, especially for sensitive issues such as pornography addiction. This comes as she said research by the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia revealed that addiction – from substance abuse to sex and pornography – remains a major issue among youths. Yeoh also urged for a 'second chance policy' for youth caught in addiction cycles, warning that a single drug record could derail their future and trap them in the welfare system. 'If we say the youth are the nation's assets and future workforce, how do we expect them to contribute if one mistake writes off their whole future?' she asked. She said her interactions with clients of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) revealed their desire to recover and lead normal lives without judgment. AADK deputy director-general (operations) Khairul Anwar Bachok had previously flagged rising addiction rates among students, citing a spike in cases between 2022 and 2023. Cases among primary school students increased from 11,611 to 12,755, while lower secondary school figures rose from 36,236 to 37,321. The sharpest increase was seen among upper secondary students, with cases jumping from 47,951 to 55,855.
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Hannah Yeoh pushes for online therapy as youth addiction soars, says ‘stay away' message no longer works
PETALING JAYA, June 21 – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has reportedly called for the adoption of online therapy and support services to address addiction among young Malaysians, saying conventional face-to-face counselling is no longer effective. She said traditional awareness campaigns urging youth to avoid drugs and other vices have failed to stem addiction, pointing to the persistent rise in such cases. 'For many years, the government has been doing the same thing, telling youths 'let's avoid doing this' or 'stay away from that', but it has not been effective,' she was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. 'We need a new approach, which is why I have told my ministry to start providing online support or online assistance.' Yeoh added that online therapy offers the anonymity and discretion many young people need to seek help, especially for sensitive issues such as pornography addiction. This comes as she said research by the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia revealed that addiction – from substance abuse to sex and pornography – remains a major issue among youths. Yeoh also urged for a 'second chance policy' for youth caught in addiction cycles, warning that a single drug record could derail their future and trap them in the welfare system. 'If we say the youth are the nation's assets and future workforce, how do we expect them to contribute if one mistake writes off their whole future?' she asked. She said her interactions with clients of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) revealed their desire to recover and lead normal lives without judgment. AADK deputy director-general (operations) Khairul Anwar Bachok had previously flagged rising addiction rates among students, citing a spike in cases between 2022 and 2023. Cases among primary school students increased from 11,611 to 12,755, while lower secondary school figures rose from 36,236 to 37,321. The sharpest increase was seen among upper secondary students, with cases jumping from 47,951 to 55,855.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
International Students Fear Leaving the U.S. as Trump's Visa Threats Mount
Schools extend housing and legal support as many students from abroad cancel plans to go home this summer.
