Health teams to cater to homeless

Carolyn Heiman, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, January 18, 2008
VICTORIA - A new treatment model for the mentally ill and addicted that has been heralded as part of the solution to Victoria's homeless crisis is expected to roll out next month.

Kelly Reid, Vancouver Island Health Authority manager of residential services, said Thursday the first Assertive Community Treatment team should be in operation Feb. 1. It will mark the first time health services will be delivered by teams that help clients deal with a variety of issues ranging from medical to social.

Last fall, VIHA committed $3.35 million to creating four ACT teams in partnership with the city.

Reid said Thursday that ACT teams caseloads are small -- one staff person to 10 clients -- "so the individual doesn't get lost in waitlists and referrals."

A "gap analysis team" noted the current system of delivery services to the homeless -- many of whom are addicted and/or mentally ill -- allows people to fall through the cracks as they move from one program to the other.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

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