Toronto

Toronto Service Resolution Project

The Toronto Service Resolution Project will expand the availability of justice-related knowledge and resources to existing situation and case conferencing tables across Toronto.

What is the system challenge?

A number of situation and service resolution tables exist across Toronto, and while they effectively address the needs of specific areas or populations within the city, few work across sectors. This ‘siloing’ has led to a sense that issues faced by individuals with complex service needs (particularly when the justice system is involved) may be going unaddressed. These issues are a particular concern for individuals who:

  • are, or are at risk of being, criminalized (for example, due to homelessness, substance use, or racialization);
  • experience multiple overlapping mental health, substance use, or health-related issues;
  • are connected to justice or social service organizations in downtown Toronto, and;
  • face significant barriers to meeting mental health, addictions, and justice-related needs through traditional services.

What are we doing about it?

The Toronto Service Resolution project is being led by the Human Service and Justice Coordinating Committee – Toronto (HSJCC-Toronto) with support from a Provincial System Support Program implementation team at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Following consultations and focus groups with community stakeholders and organizations involved in existing situation* and service resolution tables, the HSJCC-Toronto is overseeing a one-year pilot of a Justice Coordinator position. The Justice Coordinator will provide justice expertise and cross-sectoral consultation support to existing tables by working collaboratively with direct service agencies to develop more appropriate service options for clients. The coordinator will also work to identify service and policy issues, identify solutions to systemic problems, and make recommendations for further integration of justice supports into the existing system of situation and service resolution tables.

*Situation tables bring health, social service agencies, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., police, lawyers, persons with lived experience) together at a regular meeting to collaboratively and proactively address complex needs and situations of elevated risk.

?What's this?

Initial Implementation

The Justice Coordinator will provide justice expertise and cross-sectoral consultation support to existing tables by working collaboratively with direct service agencies to develop more appropriate service options for clients. The coordinator will also work to identify service and policy issues, identify solutions to systemic problems, and make recommendations for further integration of justice supports into the existing system of situation and service resolution tables.

Who is involved?

  • Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee - Toronto
  • Toronto ABI Network
  • Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS)
  • Cota
  • Fred Victor
  • Homes First
  • St. Michael’s Hospital
  • Street to Homes
  • Toronto Network of Specialized Care
  • SPIDER/FOCUS (City of Toronto)
  • Health Links
  • Canadian Mental Health Association - Toronto
  • CCAC

Next Steps

  • Determine roles/expectations of the Justice Coordinator and host agency
  • Hire, orient, and coach the Justice Coordinator
  • Complete Memorandum of Understanding and shared agreements with the Justice Coordinator, host agency, and CMHA Toronto
  • Develop a tracking/note taking tool for the Justice Coordinator to capture justice needs of clients as observed at existing tables
  • Develop and implement evaluation plan

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