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Newsletter of the Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee
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Provincial HSJCC
July 2016 Newsletter 

 

Letter from the Co-Chair
Happy Summer to all individuals in the HSJCC network!
 
As the summer is approaching the mid-way point, in a time that once was notorious for a ‘slower part of the year’ has, once again, not transpired to a slower pace.  I believe that the individuals from the HSJCC Secretariat, Steering Committee, CKE Committee and general membership may agree that we are not slowing down, but rather continue at a speed to ‘get the work done’.  During this time, we have many projects that continue to be focused on at the provincial level and impact the day to day operations of each agency and individual involved in Human Services and Justice at the community level. 
 
Reflecting on our current path, the teams are working closely with our selected website vendor, Ribbet Inc and we will be launching the new HSJCC website soon – stay tuned for further updates on the release date.  The vision for the website is one of increased membership usage- and we anticipate this to be a result of the simplicity of the design.  In addition, the website will be used as a vehicle to disseminate information pertaining to the work of all aspects of HSJCC across our province.  Our goal for the website is to share information and increase awareness for individuals, communities, agencies, and all members that intersect Human Services and Justice to better provide system planning and services in each of our communities in Ontario.
 
The provincial table of the HSJCC continues to work on two key projects: the Police-Hospital Transition project and the Mental Health Court Project.
  • The Police-Hospital Transition initiative is a partnership project with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and CMHA Ontario. The anticipated outcome of this initiative, scheduled to be released later this year, will potentially result in system transformation for both the health care and policing sectors.
  • The purpose of the Mental Health Court Project is to gain a better understanding of how mental health courts in Ontario are structured and their role. We will be hosting a forum to share the findings of this project later this year.
 
The 2015/2016 Provincial HSJCC Annual Report has been completed and there is more information shared with the network in this newsletter. The CKE committee is continuing to provide monthly educational webinars for the HSJCC Network.  Our webinars are available for ongoing access and learning and more details about these webinars can be found in this newsletter as well.
 
Happy Summer to you all, and may you find some time to slow down and enjoy the sunshine during this ongoing fast-paced trek to fill the gaps and make our communities healthier and safer for all.

Heather Lumley
Co-Chair, Provincial HSJCC
Executive Director, St. Leonard’s Community Services, London & Region 
Provincial HSJCC Updates
Highlights from the Provincial HSJCC 2015/2016 Annual Report
2015 HSJCC Network Conference
The Provincial HSJCC hosted the biennial HSJCC Network Conference, Mobilizing Community: Promoting Resiliency, Sustaining Recovery and Restoring Justice, from November 13- 15, 2015 in Toronto. This year, the conference hosted 435 participants from 130 organizations. All five partner Ministries of the Provincial HSJCC were in attendance at the conference as well.  The program provided 51   presentations and workshop options for attendees.  Our HSJCC conference tweets made over 1 million impressions (total times our posts with the hashtag #HSJCC2015 were seen by users) on Twitter, we gained over 40 followers through our social media efforts during the conference, and over 500 posts were tweeted using the event’s hashtag, #HSJCC2015. The Provincial HSJCC provided subsidies for seven   People with Lived Experience to attend the conference. Several of the local and regional HSJCCs reported that a portion of their budget supported their members and People with Lived Experience to participate in the event.

Mental Health Court Project
The Provincial HSJCC launched the Mental Health Courts project this year, with the purpose of increasing our understanding how Mental Health Courts are operating across Ontario. The project has been supported by a Working Group of HSJCC Network members dedicated to helping us learn more about each of the Mental Health Courts across the province. This project will continue over the course of next year, where all Mental Health Courts in Ontario will be asked to participate in an interview. T he results will be captured in a report on the current state and operations of Mental Health Courts in Ontario.

HSJCC Network Policy Consultations and Submissions
This year, the HSJCC Network engaged in a consultation on MCSCS’s segregation review and a letter was submitted on behalf of HSJCC Network on the outcomes of this discussion. The Provincial HSJCC also completed a pre-budget submission for   the Ministry of Finance in early 2016, and a written response to the Patients First discussion paper of the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care was submitted in March 2016.
 
Police-Hospital Transition Project
In partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long - Term Care, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Provincial HSJCC has been working with a dedicated Task Force to develop resources that will assist communities in Ontario to improve police - hospital transitions for individuals that have been apprehended under the Mental Health Act. This project is building on past - work of the Provincial HSJCC (particularly the HSJCC’s Info Guide:  Strategies for Implementing Effective Police- Emergency Department Protocols in Ontario) and current police - hospital protocols across Ontario by creating a framework and toolkit to assist communities in improving police - hospital transitions across the province.

The Task Force of over 35 individuals represent clients, police se services, hospitals, Local Health Integration Networks, community mental health and addictions agencies, and other justice and health related organizations. They met and discussed the contents of a potential framework and toolkit over the Winter   months.  Stakeholder consultations were held on the work of the Task Force with key groups representing hospitals, police services, mental health and addictions, and the client/patient perspective. The final Framework and Toolkit is expected to be released in 2016.



Engaging Across Multiple Ministries
Committee members were also provided with educational opportunities through presentations and discussions on relevant provincial initiatives. Provincial HSJCC members heard from various Ministries on province-wide initiatives such as the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Service’s Provincial Approach to Community Well-Being, and the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The OPP also presented an update on their Mental Health Strategy.
Strengthening Accountability
The Provincial HSJCC coordinated and assisted the implementation of a new reporting template process for the local and regional HSJCCs over the course of the year. The local and regional committees are now reporting back twice a year to the Provincial HSJCC: once on their workplan in March, and the other in June to provide us with their annual report. The change in reporting process and new template comes with the change in oversight of the HSJCCs within the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  Reports from all HSJCCs are now sent to the Mental Health and Addictions Branch and all of the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), as the LHINs provide funding to the local and regional HSJCCs.

Webinars

Through our monthly webinars, the P-HSJCC continues to share information on various topics related to the justice and human services sectors. We had the privilege of hosting many great speakers to present these webinars to the members of the HSJCC Network. The Provincial Communications and Knowledge Exchange Committee guides the development of the topic areas and themes of the webinars.

If you missed our last few webinars or would like to listen to it again, you can find them at the links provided below:
 The Police-Hospital Transition Framework:
http://camh.adobeconnect.com/p974dl2fkcx/
 
Recommendations for Meeting the Needs of People with Complex Mental Health Needs: http://camh.adobeconnect.com/p6wj36rqzjz/

 
John Howard Society’s Reintegration Centre: http://camh.adobeconnect.com/p6oqcr9hrrj/

Recent Accomplishments and Upcoming Activities of the HSJCC Network: http://camh.adobeconnect.com/p3sin7mnjh6/

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the Criminal Justice System:
http://camh.adobeconnect.com/p2y17nbjjj5/

 
Personal Story:
Reflections on What Brings HSJCC Members Back
Domenica Dileo
Coordinator, Toronto Regional & Local HSJCCs

It has been a privilege working as the Toronto Regional and Locals HSJCC coordinator for the past several years. It has given me the opportunity to work collaboratively with cross sectoral members from the justice and human services sector.
 
The committees use a facilitated model whereby the Chairs lead a democratic, open, transparent, collaborative and engaged decision-making process. This past year we had 35 new members join the regional and local committees.  For all the committees we have a membership of 268 people and although not everyone can make every meeting there are 109 people from across sectors who attend on a regular basis and offer feedback when we conduct polls. In addition we have non-members who attend the Lunch and Learns and webinars who also provide feedback.  I sometimes wonder what committee members take away from their involvement and what brings them back? Why join the HSJCC at all?
 
To that end this year we used a member evaluation to find out what members like, don’t like, and what brings them back. This process has provided new opportunities for members to share their insights that illustrate the objectives and goals of the HSJCC. 48% of regular members completed the evaluation.
 
Their insights validate the values, goals and the recognized collaborative need that brings the cross-sectoral members back to the Regional and Local HSJCCs. The comments below speaks to what motivates HSJCC members to attend and why they keep coming back.
 
Here is what HSJCC members say:
 
The Local Perspective:
  • I have been so impressed by the knowledge, integrity and commitment of committee members to improve supports and mechanisms of support for those involved in the MH and Justice systems. I also recognize the impact / change that has been affected by the committee's hard work.
  • It creates a space for creative discussion and collaboration to inform day-to-day practices as well as a cohesive voice for advocacy among service providers
  • Well-organized and excellent communication.  Focused, planned and seeks member input and participation.
  • The players at the table have a collaborative approach and are committed to client service
  •  As a new person to the Toronto area, I find these presentations very helpful for acquainting myself with the human services community.
  • What brings me back is learning about new initiatives that I may not hear about otherwise, and the opportunities to work together to solve shared issues.
  • The fact it feels like people's hearts are in the right place, we all want to make a difference in a meaningful way. I am a probation officer and it is so great to connect with people in person and not just by phone or email i.e. Crowns, hospital staff, etc. I have also learned so much about what IS being done in our system to enact change through the others and the really great speakers.
  • Being with people who care about the same things, who are educated, and who are making a real difference in the lives of those who need help.
  • The Disability lecture was very informative.
  • Sharing of resources/ideas.
  • I enjoy the lunch and learns a lot. They are informative in a comfortable setting.
  • What brings me back is the willingness for most people who attend to openly discuss important issues
  • Sharing of program information (guest speakers)
 
The Regional Perspective:
  • Looking at developing a service resolution process to support those individuals that have been identified as hard to serve. I appreciate being able to exchange information with my colleagues who represent a range of different sectors, but who often jointly struggle with the same issues and concerns in supporting some of the most complex people in the system.
  • The moment I was in the Service Resolution Committee meeting and realized that I had witnessed this committee’s growth just after it was created - via the T-HSJCC meetings
  • CAMH agreeing to support the service resolution project
 
It is clear that members value openness and the identification of joint issues and problem solving approaches through the use of a shared responsibility model.  Other communication tools like program updates, Lunch and Learns, Webinars and knowledge sharing are appreciated by the memberships and they feel they do not get this opportunity elsewhere.  The committees also provide opportunities for networking, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and engaging in service coordination in a unique cross-sectoral environment.  
 
As we move forward, the HSJCC will continue providing a collaborative table to engage in joint cross-sectoral planning, coordination, and integration of services for individuals with a mental health and addictions who are involved or at significant risk of being involved with the criminal justice system.  It is clear that HSJCC members find this to be a rewarding, effective and enjoyable cross-sectoral collaborative.
HSJCC Network Events 
Save the Date!  
The 2017 Provincial HSJCC Conference will be held November 20-22, 2017 in Toronto. The Conference Planning Committee is diligently working to organize another exciting and informative experience.  More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. For more information contact Sherry Sim at sherry@innovative4you.com
Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario Pre-Conference
Measuring Our Success: Quality Improvement in Mental Health and Addictions
September 28, 2016

Location: 
Hilton Toronto Hotel
More information:

http://conference.cmha.ca/overview/cmha-ontario-pre-conference-measuring-success/

 
Canadian Mental Health Association National Conference
Together By Design
September 29-30, 2016

Location:
Hilton Toronto Hotel
More information:

http://conference.cmha.ca/
Southeast Ontario Regional HSJCC Conference on Youth at Risk
November 16, 2016

Location:
Ambassador Hotel, Kingston
More information:

Contact Sherry Sim at sherry@innovative4you.com
McMaster  Muskoka Seminars
July 18 – August 19, 2016

Location:
Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, ON
Website:

http://psychiatry.mcmaster.ca/news-events/events/event/2016/07/18/default-calendar/20th-annual-mcmaster-muskoka-seminars-2016
5th Annual International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day
September 9, 2016

Location: 
Mississauga Grand Banquet and Convention Center
More information:
www.bit.ly/FASDpeel
 
Forensic Psychiatry Institute
August 15 – August 19, 2016
Location:
Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, ON
More information will be made available through the McMaster website.
International Community Corrections Association Conference
Widening the Lens of Community Justice: Poverty, Race and Trauma
October 2-5, 2016
Location: 
Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
More information:
http://iccalive.org/icca/
Update on CAMH’s Service Collaboratives
A webinar on the Niagara Youth Justice Service Collaborative's youth court screening iniative will be held on August 11, 2016. For more information or to register, visit
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With Support from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division
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Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
 
         


 
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