TLAnnualReport2023-2024 - Flipbook - Page 12
AFTER-HOURS CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
Turning Leaf’s After-hours Crisis Response Team (CRT) is a clinically-driven program equipped to
support vulnerable individuals living with mental health and intellectual disabilities outside of regular
business hours, providing compassionate, wrap-around care. The goal of the CRT is to provide all
participants with triaged crisis supports that respond in a person-centered manner. The individuals
we support are actively struggling with addictions, involvement with the justice system, engagement
with sex work, transient lifestyles, and other at-risk behaviours. The CRT’s support is delivered with a
harm reduction approach and a commitment to meeting people where they are at.
The CRT is trained in Suicide Prevention, De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations, Mental Health
First Aid, and in-house trainings on Naloxone administration and overdose prevention, among others.
We know that consistency and routine are integral when working with individuals who exhibit chronic
behavioral issues, so the CRT collaborates with our Clinical Health Program to ensure our
approaches are congruent with programs across the agency.
A fundamental aspect of the work of the CRT, is liaising and collaborating with police, hospitals,
crisis response centres, and shelters. We are often the first call from these community resources
when a participant engages them - a testament to our participants’ trust of and meaningful
relationships with their support team. Because our participants often struggle with discrimination
and stigma from people in positions of authority who lack the training to effectively support someone
in a mental health crisis, we continue to build bridges and engage in ongoing advocacy with law
enforcement and healthcare workers.
This year the CRT was recognized by justice officials, including judges and lawyers, who voiced - in
open court - how our services have impacted their clients and how Turning Leaf has positively
contributed to the reduction in reoffending rates. Turning Leaf was invited to sit with members of the
Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis (ARCC) program - a service provided by Winnipeg Police
Services - to inquire about how we’ve been so successful. Their hope was to gain an understanding
of our approach to support after they observed a drastic decline in calls, directly following our
launch of the After-Hours Crisis Response Team.
A critical development this year was the addition of a dispatch service. This new process has been
instrumental in effectively triaging crises based on need and risk level, while being able to manage
the high volume of calls in an orderly, prioritized manner.
The After-Hours Crisis Response Team is excited for the year ahead and new opportunities to
continue enhancing and expanding our supports for vulnerable individuals in crisis.
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