New HART Hub supports addiction and homelessness across Simcoe County

A Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub has officially launched in 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.

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.”

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.