People in Nanaimo who are at risk of harm or victimization will benefit from a $30,000 grant to create a community-based team of front-line workers to deliver better, faster access to services.

“We want to see all people, particularly those who are vulnerable and high risk, receive the right support and services they need, when they need them,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By investing in creating these teams in communities throughout the province, we’re helping front-line workers rapidly connect with people in crisis, while freeing up police to focus on serious and organized criminal activity.”

The teams, known as “situation tables,” are made up of representatives from health, public safety and social service agencies. They proactively identify vulnerable individuals or families who have a significant probability of criminal offending or experiencing harm or victimization, and rapidly connect them to services before they experience a negative or traumatic event.

Funding is provided by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Office of Crime Reduction and Gang Outreach. The office has invested more than $1.1 million since 2017 to develop new tables or enhance existing ones, with another $240,000 to provide funding to seven more communities this year.

There are currently 10 situation tables operating in B.C., with work underway on 11 more.

Quotes:

Erin Hemmens, councillor, City of Nanaimo –

“The recently endorsed Health and Housing Action Plan calls upon all partners providing services in Nanaimo to work together in new ways. The situation table model does just that: by bringing together front-line workers from various agencies and not-for-profits with RCMP, we’ll ensure our responses to people in crisis are appropriately tailored to individual needs. The City of Nanaimo welcomes this collaboration and opportunity.”

Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan –

“This new tool will enable greater collaboration among services providers so people at risk can get the help they need quickly and safely. Our government is listening to the needs of people and investing in solutions that will benefit the vulnerable and marginalized.”

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions –

“To better connect vulnerable people with the services that can prevent crisis, crime and disorder, situation tables problem solve one case at a time, so at-risk individuals get the help they need. In 2019, 54% of situation table cases were transferred from police to social services, so police could focus on criminals instead.”