More than two million dollars have been doled out to area organizations for mental health and justice programs.
Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services is receiving almost $1.2 million to continue support services for victims of human trafficking.
The Fort Frances Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association gets $834-thousand to expand a mobile crisis response team and fund a modified safe bed program.
Rainy River District Social Services Board is receiving $106-thousand to help the area’s homelessness.
Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, made the announcement Monday.
“These investments will enhance our local programs and help CMHA Fort Frances continue to make a difference in our community,” says Rickford. “This investment will increase capacity for mobile crisis services that involve police-partnered response teams to support people in crisis and minimize their interactions with the criminal justice system.”
The funding for CMHA will allow it to hire an additional full-time support worker to work in the Atikokan area, with increased resources added to Fort Frances, Emo and Rainy River.
“CMHA is overjoyed with the announcement to fund a modified safe bed program. The program will further support and enhance the current Rainy River District Mobile Crisis Response Team with our OPP partners,” says Sheila Shaw, Executive Director, CMHA, Fort Frances.
CMHA Fort Frances will also receive rent supplement funding from the Ministry for an additional eight supportive housing units.
The Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services funding goes to its Anti-Human Trafficking project to support prevention, intervention and aftercare services for children and youth aged 12 and up.
“At Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services (FFTSHS), we aspire to create an organization that forges a path to wellness by integrating programs that are rooted in the resiliencies and strengths of our Anishinaabe people. FFTAHS is beyond grateful to have received the support from the Anti-human Trafficking Indigenous-led Initiatives Fund,” says Kayla Caul-Chartier, Chief Executive Officer of Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services.
The funding for the Rainy River DDSSAB is to be used to improve the delivery of services to protect homeless shelter staff and residents, renovate and purchase shelter facilities and/or create long-term housing solutions and support plans for potential emergencies.
“The RRDSSB is extremely pleased to receive an additional $106,600 through the Social Service Relief Fund from the Province of Ontario,” says Dan McCormick, Chief Administrative Officer for the RRDSSAB.
