Item - 2017.CD22.7

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and all five Local Health Integration Networks that service the City of Toronto identify opportunities to invest in the implementation of the Coordinated Hoarding Response System for the City of Toronto and to further increase access to evidence-based mental health supports for vulnerable residents, including those with lived experience with hoarding.

2.  City Council direct the Executive Director of Social Development Finance and Administration to ensure best practices identified from the Specialized Program for Interdivisional Enhanced Responsiveness (SPIDER) and long-term care for vulnerable seniors with mental health and addictions issues be reflected and prioritized in implementation of the Toronto Seniors Strategy 2.0.

3.  City Council request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and all five Local Health Integration Networks that service the City of Toronto prioritize the development of Hospital and Community processes to create seamless transition from hospital to community and to consider the referral source as part of the circle of care to advance integrated service delivery for vulnerable populations.

4.  City Council forward these recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, The Toronto Board of Health, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the United Way of Toronto and York Region, and other relevant groups to request support for our community partners to enhance their capacity and have the appropriate resources available to provide necessary psychological health and safety supports to their staff who deal with heightened vulnerability and trauma.

5.  City Council forward the report (August 25, 2017) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards and the Medical Officer of Health, for consideration, to the Toronto Board of Health; Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation; the Toronto Police Services Board; the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario; the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee; the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services; the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network; United Way Toronto and York Region and the Toronto Hoarding Support Network.

On December 9, 2015, City Council directed the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to implement the Specialized Program for Interdivisional Enhanced Responsiveness (SPIDER) on an ongoing basis. Since that time, SPIDER continues to strengthen the effectiveness of coordinated City and Community services to improve safety and well-being for vulnerable individuals and the communities they live in.

In essence, complex situations that could not be resolved by individual City divisions or involved community partners have been brought to resolution through SPIDER due to  the efficient manner in which situations of elevated risk are assessed at the SPIDER Situation Table, and the committed and professional mobilization in response to these situations by Community-based organizations and City divisions, timely risk resolutions have been achieved and in most situations, vulnerable residents have been helped to remain living at home safely, with appropriate supports.

The collaboration that SPIDER fosters continues to enhance coordination across City services and with third party service providers has benefitted City service delivery outside of SPIDER.

SPIDER continues to work to align City policies and procedures for responding to vulnerability. Through the leadership of City Clerks, interdivisional information-sharing protocols have been solidified. In partnership with other Divisions and Community Agencies, staff training in vulnerability, targeted engagement and open dialogues have increased awareness about situations impacting vulnerable Torontonians and the programs and services available. These collaborations have also helped build networks across the service sector and created opportunities for operation and systemic level innovation.  As a result, system-level policy changes to improve responsiveness to vulnerable residents have been identified, recommended and advanced.

This report will provide an update about SPIDER.