As many of you are aware, the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addictions Programs (OFCMHAP) has received funding from Health Canada through Ontario from the Drug Treatment Funding Program (DTFP) to undertake an evaluation of Addiction Supportive Housing in Ontario. Addictions Ontario has also received funding to carry out an evaluation of Addiction Residential Support Services.

Although these projects are separate, there is potential through collaboration between Addictions Ontario and OFCMHAP to expand the impact of both projects to ensure system integration, better access, and a seamless continuum of services. As a result, OFCMHAP and Addictions Ontario have decided that the Addiction Supportive Housing Project and Residential Support Services will be run as a joint project.

In light of this partnership, OFCMHAP and Addictions Ontario (AO) will be establishing a Steering Committee to oversee both projects.

The Steering Committee should be made up of members with/that can offer:

(a)     A Systems Perspective;

(b)    Experience in addictions housing;

(c)     Experience in a variety of projects within mental health and addictions

(d)    A wide variety of services

(e)    Geographical range

(f)      Part of Projects

Please let us know if you are interested. Information on the projects are available below.

About the Joint Projects

Supportive Housing Evaluation Project

In the 2008 budget, the Government of Ontario committed to 1,000 new units of supportive housing for people with problematic substance use to be implemented over the next two years. The funding includes rent supplements and support services.

The provision of permanent supportive housing for people with problematic substance use is a new approach to addressing the high rate of homelessness and resulting high frequency of re-admissions to addiction programs among people with problematic substance use. A comprehensive evaluation of this initiative by the Recipient will help ensure that supportive housing services for people with problematic substance use is successfully achieving the specific needs of those individuals. The analysis will be valuable to all stakeholders in Ontario and other jurisdictions who may want to consider replicating this innovative model.

 Evaluation of Residential Support Services

Residential and recovery home services for addictions have been in place in Ontario since the 1970s.  In 1996, recovery homes were transferred from MCSS to MOHLTC because of their important role in the addiction services system.  In 1999 residential supportive treatment services was adopted by MOHLTC as a standard term to describe housing and related support services for clients requiring a stable, supportive environment prior to, during or following treatment, which is accessed elsewhere.  Services provided may include lifestyle counselling, coaching for activities of daily living, community reintegration, vocational counselling and mutual aid. 

There are approximately 1,100 long-term residential supportive treatment services beds in Ontario.  The current rresidential support services system differs from supportive housing in that the housing is intended to be transitional only.

The project will include conducting a comprehensive, systemic evaluation of residential supportive services to ensure existing best practices are adhered to and new ones are identified and implemented. 

About the Drug Treatment Funding Program

Through consultations with provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations, Health Canada developed the Drug Treatment Funding Program (DTFP) in 2008 as part of the Treatment Action Plan under the National Anti-Drug Strategy.

The DTFP is a federal contribution program designed to support provinces and territories in their efforts to strengthen evidence-informed substance abuse treatment systems; and address critical gaps in substance abuse treatment services, particularly for at-risk youth.  Twelve Ontario Systems Projects and seven Service Level Projects have been funded in Ontario.

To learn more about the individual projects in Ontario, please see the PDF attached. You can also visit our website, www.ofcmhap.on.ca for more information.

Please contact Tanya Bostock if you require further information at: projects@ofcmhap.on.ca