Toolkit for Staff Working with Patients Who Are Homeless
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TOOLKIT FOR STAFF WORKING WITH PATIENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS TOOLKIT FOR STAFF WORKING WITH PATIENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………………………...3 Information to Share with Shelters………………………………………4 Guidelines Flowchart………………………………………….................5 Emergency Shelter for Women..………………………………………...6 Emergency Shelter for Men..……………………………………………..7 Emergency Shelter for Youth...…………………………………………..8 Housing Services………………………………………………………….9 Landlord-Tenant Problems...……………………………………………10 Free Meals..………………………………………………………………11 Food Banks...……………………………………………………………..12 Hamilton Walk-in Medical Clinics...………………………………….…13 Crisis Intervention………………………………………………………..14 Addiction Services……………………………………………………….15 Patient Support Services/Resources...………………………………...17 Residential Care Facilities - Subsidized/Private Listings…………….19 2 INTRODUCTION TOOLKIT FOR STAFF WORKING WITH HOMELESS PATIENTS This binder consists of a number of tools and resources designed to assist in the development of a comprehensive discharge plan targeting the extraordinary needs of patients who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness upon discharge from hospital. The Toolkit is organized in three parts: 1. Guidelines to support patients in need of shelter, and to support the development of a comprehensive discharge plan 2. Information to share with community agencies when discharging homeless patients 3. Community resources for discharge of homeless patients The Toolkit was created after consultation with the Hospitals-Shelters Working Group, which meets monthly to discuss discharge of homeless patients, come up with solutions, and to foster collaboration among the hospital system, CCAC and the shelter/transitional housing system. This working group has come to recognize that there are many obstacles at both ends of the spectrum for hospital staff attempting to provide a continuum of care for homeless patients at the time of discharge from hospital. The purpose of this kit is to ensure that consideration is given to the unique needs of homeless patients. It, along with the Hospitals-Shelters Working Group, is one small step in bridging the gap between hospitals and the community, and furthering attempts to provide a continuum of care to homeless individuals. This Toolkit is designed to augment existing hospital procedures; it is not intended to interfere with or replace existing hospital protocols and practices. This page was adapted with permission of Toronto District Health Council – October 2004 3 INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH SHELTERS WHEN DISCHARGING HOMELESS PATIENTS The Shelter Perspective To facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive discharge plan for a homeless patient, shelters require information that will assist them in providing the appropriate follow-up care. Shelters report that having more information will assist them in ensuring that the best possible follow-up care is provided. They want to know: • generally what treatment was given • who to call with questions • what follow-up care is required • has CCAC been contacted - schedule for changing dressings - follow-up medical appointments - medication schedules - prescriptions to be filled • special considerations such as ability to manage stairs, special diets • safety and mental health issues Hospital staff may want to consider adding more information to an existing form or to finding an alternative means of providing appropriate information to community agencies upon referral of homeless patients. This information was adapted with permission of Toronto District Health Council – October 2004 4 5 Emergency Shelters for Women Native Women’s Centre – 905-664-1114 Offers emergency shelter and supportive counselling for women and their children. Inasmuch House – Crisis: 905-529-8600; Business: 905-529-8149 Provides short-term, safe and supportive shelter for 28 women with children fleeing abuse or homelessness. Women are counselled with respect to alternatives for themselves and their families as they plan for the future. Interval House of Hamilton - 630 Sanatorium Road Crisis Line: 905-387-8881; Office Line: 905-387-9959 A high security house for women fleeing abuse from their primary partner. Offers accommodation, counselling, legal advocacy, child and youth program, emergency transportation, clothing, meals and personal items. Martha House - 20 Emerald Street South – 905- 523-8895 A security-equipped residence offering emergency shelter, counselling, referrals to housing, emergency transportation, case management and support services primarily to women and children leaving abusive situations. Emergency Shelters for Women without Children Mary’s Place - 50 East Avenue North – 905-540-8000 Offers emergency accommodation for nine women 18 years of age and older, who are homeless and/or who have mental health problems. Wesley Centre - 195 Ferguson Avenue North – 905-528-5640 Offers a drop-in centre for those individuals 22 years of age and older in need of emergency shelter. Emergency shelter is provided each evening 365 days a year. Shower/laundry facilities are available, as well as personal hygiene items. Staff offer advocacy, counselling and referral services 6 Emergency Shelter for Men Salvation Army Booth Centre – 94 York Boulevard – 905-527-1444 Emergency shelter, food, clothing, supportive counselling and other practical services. Case management staff will provide information and direction regarding job skills, housing, etc. Outreach workers connect with individuals. Individuals must leave between 8am and 4:15pm Good Shepherd Men’s Centre – 135 Mary St North – 905-528-9109 Emergency shelter, hot meals, clothing and household items for residents Mission Services – 325 James Street North – 905-528-7635 Emergency shelter, hot meals, supportive counselling, referrals to outreach, addiction services, etc. Wesley Centre – 195 Ferguson Avenue North – 905-528-5640 Offers a drop-in for individuals 22 years of age and older in need of emergency shelter. Hot meals are provided Monday to Friday – noon-1pm and on Sundays at 4pm. Emergency shelter is provided each evening 365 days a year. Shower and laundry facilities are available, as well as personal hygiene items, such as soap, shampoo and toothbrushes. Staff offer advocacy, counselling and referral services. 7 Emergency Shelter for Youth Notre Dame House – 14 Cannon Street West – 905-308-8090 Emergency shelter and a one-stop, multi-agency resource centre for homeless teens. A nourishing meal program is provided, along with supportive counselling for a variety of issues. Wesley Youth Shelter – 30 Wilson Street – 905-529-0476 Provides emergency shelter from 9pm-9am for youth ages 16 -21. 8 Housing Services Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) - Community Programs Branch - Public Health and Community Services Department - Residential Care Facilities and Hostels Unit – 905-546-2225 Individuals are provided meals, laundry service, 24-hour supervision, assistance with medication. RCFs provide supportive housing for individuals with a history of mental health problems, and people with developmental and physical disabilities Community Housing Access Network (CHAN) – 905-548-5417 Provides coordinated access to subsidized housing throughout Hamilton. Applications are available at the following locations: Community Housing Registry – 795 King Street East – 905-548-5417 Housing Help Centre – 210 Napier Street – 905-526-8100 Victoria Park Community Homes – 155 Queen St. N – 905-527-0221 Housing Help Centre - 210 Napier Street – 905-526-8100 A non-profit agency providing information, resources, advocacy and support to tenants or people experiencing homelessness. Housing Help Centre also provides housing search resources, free phones, and rental listings Second Stage Housing – 905-577-1173 Family Shelter, as well as interim housing and counselling to victims of domestic violence. YWCA - 75 MacNab Street South – 905-522-9922 65-bed residence that provides a variety of programs and services to respond to the needs of women aged 16 and over YMCA - 79 James Street South – 905-529-7102 174-bed residence dedicated to servicing the needs of men 16 years of age and over. 9 Landlord-Tenant Problems Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (ORHT) 119 King Street West, 6th Floor – 1-888-332-3234 The ORHT has a mandate to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants through mediation or adjudication, as well as educate landlords and tenants with regard to rights and obligations each has in accordance with legislation under the Tenant Protection Act. Dundurn Community Legal Services 110 King Street West, Plaza Level, Jackson Square – 905-527-4572 Hamilton Mountain Legal and Community Services 550 Fennell Avenue East, Ste. 16A – Fenworth Mall – 905-575-9590 McQueston Legal and Community Services 1440 Main Street East – 905-545-0442 10 Free Meals Salvation Army Booth Centre – 94 York Boulevard – 905-527-1444 Mon-Fri – 7:15am-7:45am; 11:30am-noon; 4:15pm-4:45pm Sat, Sun, holidays - 7:45am-8:15am; 11:30am-noon; 4:45pm-5.15pm The soup van operates seven nights a week and has three stops: Mary and Wilson: 9pm-10pm Barton and Oak: 10:15pm-11pm King and MacNab: 11:15pm-12:30am Wesley Centre – 195 Ferguson Avenue North – 905-528-5640 Mon-Fri – 7am-8am; noon-1pm (hot lunch) 7:00 pm (soup and sandwiches) Sunday Dinner – 4pm Olive Branch – 195 Rebecca Street – 905-522-7482 Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat - 11:00am-3:00pm Hot meal served 12:30pm-2pm Good Shepherd Centres – 135 Mary Street – 905-528-9109 Mon-Sat – 3:30pm-4:45pm Free Meals for Youth Living Rock Ministries