Community Support Team

About the Program
The CMHAFF Community Support Team (CST) is comprised of four programs; Case Management, Housing Subsidy, and Court Diversion & Support. Although each program is unique within the CST, the over-arching goal is to promote client-centered care based on the principles of health equity and recovery. This inter-disciplinary team works with individuals in the community to promote health & wellness, while fostering independence.

Case Management
The Community Support Workers within this program assist individuals to develop a coordinated care plan that is based on self-identified goals to promote recovery, health and wellness. Supports and services are provided within the community and/or individual’s homes.

Who is Eligible:
Individuals 18 years of age and older who have a diagnosed serious mental illness.

Services Provided:

• Assist individuals to achieve the social determinants of health, such as housing, food security, education, income supports, social inclusion, transportation and access to equitable health care
• Health & social care coordination
• Health education & promotion
• Advocacy & Referral

*Services can be brief or long-term

Program is offered:
Within Fort Frances area

Housing Subsidy Support Program
The Housing Subsidy Support Program provides a limited number of rent subsidies to individuals who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness or who are inadequately housed. The Housing Support Workers within this program assist individuals to develop a coordinated care plan that is based on self-identified goals to promote recovery, health and wellness. Supports and services are provided within the individual’s homes and in the community.

Who is Eligible:
Individuals 18 years of age and older who have a diagnosed serious mental illness and/or are in addiction recovery as assessed by an addiction specialist.

Financial Qualifications:
Individuals receiving Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support, and/or qualify for Rent Geared to Income.

Services Provided:

• In home support to foster successful independent living
• Assist individuals to achieve the social determinants of health food security, education, income supports, social inclusion, transportation and access to equitable health care
• One to One and group teaching of life skills (budgeting, nutrition, cooking and home management)
• Landlord/Tenant advocacy and mediation
• Health education & promotion
• Advocacy & referral

Program is offered:
Within Fort Frances area

Court Diversion & Support
The Court Diversion & Support Workers within this program assist individuals involved with the criminal justice system to develop a coordinated care plan that is based on self-identified goals to promote recovery, health and wellness. Supports and services are provided within the community and/or individuals homes.

Who is eligible:
Individuals who are 18 years of age and older considered to have a serious mental illness, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, concurrent/dual diagnosis and/or acquired brain injury who are involved with the criminal justice system.

Services Provided:

• Criminal justice system & forensic mental health system navigation support
• Assist individuals to achieve the social determinants of health food security, education, income supports, social inclusion, transportation and access to equitable health care
• Mental health diversion treatment planning and facilitation
• Release from custody supports
• Health education & promotion
• Advocacy & referral

Program is offered:
Throughout the Rainy River District

Community Support Team Referrals
The Community Support Team programs are voluntary and based on the philosophy of recovery-oriented practice; fostering independence and personal choice.
Referrals to CMHAFF Community Support Team *(not including Joint Mobile Crisis) can be made with consent of the individual by individuals themselves, families, health care providers, social service workers, the legal system, etc.