Alzheimer Society of York Region, CHATS, York Support Services Network
Nominator Comments:
We foster a sense of common purpose by creating an innovative community based healthcare “hub” for the provision of co-ordinated, community based service delivery by three like minded community services agencies whose programs and activities compliment each other and the respective clients that we serve. The community base, healthcare “hub” model was supported by the landlord who adjusted office configurations and time frames that would be conducive to maximizing service coordination and delivery.
Champion their cause at all times: Healthcare advocates stress the need for greater efficiencies through enhanced service coordination and back office integration. Our hub has become a positive role model within our Local Health Integration Network, as well as with the Deputy Minister of Health, who recently toured our joint facility to observe coordinated services and meet with caregivers.
Actively support other team members: Support for team members is demonstrated in joint training opportunities for all staff from the three service agencies. The three organizations share best practice and program standard methods with each other.
The co-location “hub” relationship provides excellent support for clients in transitions of care, programming and accessibility. Co-location has encouraged the three organizations to interact on a more frequent basis, and has reinforced the exploration of partnership opportunities for initiatives that will better support the community and clients they serve.
Background
CHATS – Community & Home Assistance to Seniors, Alzheimer Society of York Region (AS York) and York Support Services Network (YSSN) were stand alone agencies, each searching for new, more ideal facilities for program growth and innovation, staff consolidation, greater accessibility and a more accommodating financial arrangement. Their respective searches coincided with each other. The Edward Street site was identified and the concept of developing a community healthcare “hub” was initiated.
Priorities and Outcome Objectives:
1) Seamless support in managing transitions of care for shared clients and caregivers
2) Knowledge transfer and project innovation, such support for accreditation process, coordination of best practices and joint staff to staff learning sessions
3) Opportunities to work with the private sector
4) Coordinating Health Links partnerships – a healthcare project of the Ministry of Health
Why now:
1) Healthcare advocates stress the need for greater efficiencies through enhanced service coordination and back office integration.
2)The timing as identified in “Background” was conducive for the creation of the community healthcare “Hub”.
The three organizations have a history of working together in the community.
Examples that illustrate this include:
1) AS York social workers are embedded in CHATS day programs, providing continuity of service and support to help families navigate through the disease process.
2) AS York and CHATS have established a standardized admission and assessment process for program admission and have eliminated the potential for competition for clients through a seamless support for mutual client needs.
3) CHATS and YSSN partner in the implementation of a Tenancy Risk Reduction service for seniors with hoarding behaviors
The co-location within a community service health care “hub” within one facility will only intensify, compliment and enhance the existing multi-agency collaboration that currently exists out in the community among the three community service organizations.
Benefits (the community) include:
1) A “One Stop Access Point” for community supports to clients and patients.
2) Seamless support in managing transitions of care for shared clients and caregivers.
3) Coordinating Health Links partnerships – a healthcare initiative of the Ministry of Health
4) Coordinating efforts to advocate for services generates increased attention to the issues affecting like minded clients and patients.
Benefits (the partners) include: ) Knowledge transfer and project innovation, such as support for the accreditation process, co-ordination of best practices and joint staff to staff learning sessions
2) Opportunities to work together in fundraising initiatives with the private sector, sharing donor support and contacts
3) Back office integration which reduces administration burdens
4) Sharing of overall costs reduces financial challenges for each agency in the hub.
The “hub” effect is demonstrated through numerous examples including:
1) CHATS facilitating Health Link “community rounds” group and committees – impact: brings the “patient experience” closer to health service providers
2) YSSN providing space for provincial committee meetings and training opportunities – impact: access to centralized meeting space for all involved
3) AS York being the location for the Behavioral Supports Ontario initiative for physician engagement sessions and by the Community Social Services Network for steering committee meetings – impact: physicians learn about dementia-focused programming to provide their patients
4) CHATS provides space for the United Way of York Region as a meeting location for Major Gifts committee – impact: assists the United Way to reach fundraising targets
And as previously mentioned,
5) the “hub” is seen as a “One Stop Access Point” for community – impact: increased support to clients and patients
6) The seamless support in managing transitions of care for shared clients and caregivers – impact: increased support to clients and patients
7) Coordinating efforts to advocate for services generates increased attention to the issues affecting like minded clients and patients – impact: better community awareness of our areas of support
8) Knowledge transfer and project innovation, such as support for the accreditation process, co-ordination of best practices and joint staff to staff learning sessions – impact: improved organization and staff betterment opportunities
Future Opportunities
CHATS, AS York and YSSN see ourselves as a bit ahead of the curve or ‘out of the gate’ on the “hub” initiative, particularly in respect of the recent Provincial announcement of the appointment of Karen Pitre as Special Advisor on Community Hubs. The recent visit by the Deputy Minister of Health to view our hub model, positions us to participate well in this initiative.
We also plan to participate in a local community hub working group (CHWG) based in Newmarket with United Way as a current partner, whose focus is conducting a literature review and environmental scan in this area.
As previously identified, other areas of continued hub development opportunities include the OTN (Ontario Telemedicine Network), our involvement with SSNYR Health Link “community rounds” group and committees, YSSN hosting committee meetings and training opportunities, AS York facilitating physician engagement sessions for the BSO and expanded back office coordination.
