To respond to the urgent needs in our communities, over 30 partners have come together to apply for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, the proposed Timmins and Area Wellness Centre of Excellence (WCE). This community driven initiative aims to address the growing needs of our community and district. The proposed centre will provide mental health and addiction services under one roof, focusing on creating easy pathways to care and recovery. The WCE aims to fill system gaps and support addiction, mental health, housing stability and employment opportunities.
In an area already heavily impacted by poorer overall health outcomes, rising addiction, drug use, opioid-related deaths, and mental health challenges are harming our family, friends, and neighbors. This crisis continues to put immense pressure on our local health, social service, and emergency services.
Overwhelmingly, we’ve heard a unified call for additional addiction and mental health services to care for our loved ones. On August 20th, 2024, the Ministry of Health announced the development and availability of funding to create HART Hubs across Ontario, with communities receiving proposal requirements on August 29th, 2024.
204.9 emergency department visits per 100,000 people; compared to a provincial average of 86.3 per 100,000 people
29.8 hospitalizations per 100,000 people; compared to a provincial average of 14 per 100,000 people
50 deaths per 100,000 people compared to a provincial average of 17.2 per 100,000 people
Youth substance use is growing at an alarming rate
15% of youth aged 13-18 access emergency services for cannabis-related harm
Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) and Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB), alongside community health and social service partners (see question #3) are working together to provide mental health and addiction services for Timmins, Temiskaming and James and Hudson Bay coast areas, including programs such as withdrawal management, addiction treatment and supportive housing, in one central location.
As we are still in the early planning phase, we are exploring potential options for additional services that could be offered, with input from the community and partners. Announced by the province in August 2024, the partners, have applied to become a Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment Hub (HART) in Timmins.
There has been a clear and demonstrated need for more treatment services for people living in the North. The Timmins and Area Wellness Centre of Excellence (WCE), the proposed HART Hub, will provide centralized access to addictions treatment, mental health supports and supportive housing and programming to help get people back on their feet. It will be a safe and secure facility to protect people it serves.
The development of the WCE is a testament to the power of collaboration. The project has brought together a wide range of partners, including the Mushkegowuk Council, Timmins and District Hospital, Canadian Mental Health Association – Cochrane-Timiskaming, Urban Indigenous service partners, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services, Timmins Academic Family Health Team, Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre, Northern College, and many others. As the project evolves, it is expected that more partners will be included.
The project is currently in the proposal development stage and will see a phased approach for bringing services to the proposed WCE. The first phase would look to move existing, already-staffed services over, ensuring that the WCE is growing within the scope of capabilities and is maintaining a safe, stable environment for clients.
The proposed HART Hub application capitalizes on recent provincial investments in health and education, like Ontario’s Learn and Stay Grant, Supervised Practice Experience Partnership and others, to support ongoing recruitment efforts.
Over time, access to HART Hub funding and ongoing agency collaboration will support the needed resources to deliver services.
The agencies involved with the WCE will ensure security that is managed by a team of highly trained professionals with expertise in crisis intervention, management, and behaviour management to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
No, the WCE is not a supervised consumption site and supervised consumption services will not be provided.
We have a preferred location in mind (1800 Riverside Drive), however further evaluation will be taken should the HART Hub application be successful.
The proposed WCE will meet the provincial HART Hub guidelines and allow for “low barrier” access to services. This means, the removal or reduction of barriers that make it difficult for someone to seek or access care when they ask for help.
Some of the considerations the agencies involved are looking at include best practices, like:
Minimal Eligibility Criteria to be Accepted for Service: Services are aimed to be available to anyone in need. If the services offered do not meet the individual where they are, they would be referred and connected with other services as appropriate.
Non-Stigmatizing Environment: Providers avoid judgmental attitudes or language, and the treatment environment is supportive and welcoming, ensuring clients feel safe and accepted.
Flexible Services: Treatment options are adaptable to individuals' needs and reviewed often with clinical care teams. The site will look to offer a range of services and therapy.
Immediate Access: To avoid delays in treatment, people are not placed on long waiting lists and can access services immediately or with minimal wait times. Supportive housing is being developed to allow for people to remain housed in a stable environment with supports, while they continue to seek care. This process aims to reduce the risk of relapse and improve client outcomes.
Culturally Appropriate Care: Services are designed to be inclusive of diverse backgrounds, with culturally tailored interventions to meet the specific needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations.
The proposed WCE is developing low barrier access models to provide an easier path to initial access, encouraging more individuals to seek treatment. Low barrier access does not refer to security levels or requirements for clients on-site. The WCE will operate with all necessary security to ensure people accessing the centre and the community is safe.
No, the WCE is not a supervised consumption site and supervised consumption services will not be provided.
No, the WCE is not a supervised consumption site and supervised consumption services will not be provided.
While we wait to hear the Hart Hub proposal is successful, service delivery is being discussed by the various partners involved. A phased approach could see existing services, currently being offered in the community, move to this centralized space. Service delivery information will be shared once finalized.
At this time, it is anticipated that the WCE will offer addictions services, like withdrawal management and treatment, outpatient mental health services and supportive housing.
The proposed facility will remain secure and structured, with movement carefully managed. While it is still early in the planning phase, all partners involved understand the need for a highly trained security team with expertise in crisis intervention, management and behavior management to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.
As a voluntary program, participants will have chosen to be served by the WCE and may participate in programs and services outside the WCE to support their ongoing wellness. Access to the WCE will be by referral only and people who are voluntarily leave the service would be supported with appropriate discharge planning.
It will depend on an individual’s preferences and care plan. If someone wishes to have visitors, arrangements will be made through their care team. However, if a participant has expressed that they do not want to see a particular person, or that individual poses a risk to the individual or others, that visitor will not be allowed to enter the facility.
Both searches of belongings and drug tests are voluntary. Individuals cannot be forced to empty their pockets or bags, but many participants do consent to this process, as the WCE will be a voluntary program. There are clear guidelines about what is not permitted within specific programs.
Similarly, drug tests are not mandatory and would be voluntary, and are often conducted in existing programs to ensure effective treatment, such as identifying substances like fentanyl for proper care.
There is no limit to how many times someone can access treatment. Relapse can happen multiple times before someone successfully completes treatment and services will be designed to meet people where they are. It is normal for people to make mistakes when learning new habits and skills and it’s important to ensure that services operate in a way that continues to support recovery for individuals wanting to access help.
A clinical team will develop a care plan tailored to the individual, considering any previous admissions.
If someone actively uses substances while in the program, they would be discharged and referred to a service better suited to their current needs.
No, existing services would continue to operate. This proposal is not intended to replace any existing programs; rather, it aims to centralize current services while introducing new or additional offerings based on identified needs.
Partners involved are committed to ensuring that there are many pathways for someone to be referred for service.
Some of the referral pathways being developed include:
Self-Referrals (similar to the Northeastern Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program)
Community Referrals (through social and health service providers including Outreach,
Shelters, etc...)
Referrals from Emergency Services like Police, EMS, Fire
Referrals from Family or Friends
On-Site Referrals (for registered clients who may benefit from more than one service
being offered through the site. For example, a client potentially accessing a residential treatment program at the proposed WCE from TADH and be referred to cultural services through Mushkegowuk).
Although collocated, services provided at the proposed WCE will be managed and operated by individual community partners. A thorough intake process will be developed that ensures individuals are prepared for a structured and supportive environment.
The proposal includes access to supportive housing with on-site health, mental health and addiction services after treatment. Job training programs may also be available to help people find work and rebuild their lives. This support is key to helping people stay stable, avoid relapse and successfully reintegrate into the community for better long-term outcomes. There is currently a significant gap in the availability of supportive housing for people who have finished treatment, or who have finished withdrawal management and are waiting for treatment. The WCE aims to help close that gap, and allow individuals actively seeking support to remain stable and supported.
The WCE is not a homeless shelter and not associated with Living Space or Living Space operations. Living Space would have the ability to refer clients to the WCE like other service providers.
There is a significant need for treatment, addiction services and supportive housing in our community. Services like emergency shelters cannot solve issues related to addictions. This new proposal aims to address increase capacity and deliver more comprehensive solutions that have long been necessary in the community.
More opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions are being planned and will be housed on the WCE Project webpage.
Your feedback and questions are always welcome. We encourage anyone to submit questions and comments through the following feedback mechanisms:
Online:
EN: https://forms.gle/rx81npkMdSA8M7uT8
FR: https://forms.gle/QDsCMPUrF1gEqqhU6
Email:
Physical Feedback Form Pick-Up / Drop Off Locations:
Cochrane District Services Board
2nd Floor Reception Desk
500 Algonquin Blvd E, Timmins, ON
Monday – Friday – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Closed between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Timmins and District Hospital
Human Resources / Administration Department
700 Ross Ave E, Timmins, ON
Monday – Friday – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Have we not answered your question? We welcome your feedback and invite community members to share their thoughts and suggestions to help us create a healthier, safer community. If you would prefer to submit written feedback, we are offering drop-off boxes at the following locations.
2nd Floor Reception Desk
500 Algonquin Blvd E, Timmins, ON
Monday – Friday – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Closed between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
123 Third Avenue, Suite 300, Timmins, ON
Monday – Friday – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Closed between 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
11 Elm Street N, Timmins, ON
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
330 Second Avenue, Suite 201, Timmins, ON AND
85 Pine Street South, Unit 2 (Lower Concourse)
Monday – Friday – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Closed from 12 PM – 1 PM