Can assessment information gathered by community mental health (CMH) or addictions programs/agencies be shared to inform and enhance the service plan for clients with co-occurring disorders? This question is the focus of the Addictions stream of the Community Mental Health Common Assessment Project (CMH CAP).This new project initiative involves the sharing of information gathered through Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN) by community mental health agencies and data collected by organizations using addictions Admission, Discharge and Treatment (ADAT) and Problem Gambling assessments in providing services for the same client.  The project has begun to map data elements from the various assessments as the first step in streamlining assessment information between the two sectors. As a result of extensive interviews with both CMH and addictions, an Addictions Working Group has been formed and is determining the assessment data useful for sharing between mental health and addictions .  The next step will be to oversee the testing of this information in pilot sites, scheduled to be identified later this summer. Through the pilot, CMH CAP will also identify the process changes and cross-training needed to support effective information exchange between the sectors.   “Historically, those with co-occurring mental health and addiction problems have been laden with challenges resulting from a divided treatment system,” explains Jim Skembaris, Manager of Addictions and Community Mental Health at Toronto Western Hospital. “This initiative will play a major role in closing the gap by providing a mechanism for system integration and seamless transition between mental health and addiction services through effective information sharing. This is much needed and long over due!” adds Jim, who is also a member of the Addictions Working Group. Other members of the Working Group include representatives from CMH and addictions agencies across multiple LHINs as well as a consumer representative.  For more information about CMH CAP and the addictions pilot, contact the CMH CAP Support Centre at 1.866.909.5600/416.314.7365 or cmhcap@ontario.ca