A collaborative program is averting some serious situations in Grey and Bruce counties.
Grey Bruce Community Safety and Well-Being Planning Co-Ordinator Alexis Cook explained The Situation Table for Acutely Elevated Risk, or STAR, program is having a positive impact.
"So this was developed to quickly and collaboratively respond to situations of acutely elevated risk where there's a high probability of the occurrence of victimization or harm without their immediate intervention, the situation would escalate and a negative outcome is highly likely to occur," Cook reported. "It includes 35 multidisciplinary partners across police services, social services, health community agencies, First Nations, everyone across the board who could support with an acutely elevated risk situation, and we all come together collaboratively to reduce imminent harm or victimization."
The multidisciplinary partners use their combined expertise and experience to determine the threshold of Acutely Elevated Risk, to ensure risk is not only examined through one service provider’s lens but all service representatives at the table.
"So an intervention could be a door knock intervention to someone's home, where we would have, let's say, our mental health partners go out with maybe Child Family Services or police. And they give the services right to that individual," she outlined. "We have emergency shelters get involved for individuals, and financial support, depending on what program. We also ensure that it's culturally inclusive so we have our indigenous partners at the table."
The group meets at least weekly. In 2023, 23 individuals had their acutely elevated risk lowered, which was a 68 per cent success rate. Year to date, in 2024 the program has seen 62 people who have had their acutely elevated risk lowered, which is a 90 per cent success rate
The STAR program follows a 4-filter approach developed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to ensure the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.