The Nanaimo Acute Response Table (N-ART), or situation table, is designed to help alleviate the stress on local RCMP while trying to get those in need the assistance they require. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

acute response table

Nanaimo situation table connecting those in need to local social services

Jan 19, 2024 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — About a year into operations, the Nanaimo Acute Response Table (N-ART), or situation table, is making strides in helping to protect vulnerable community members.

A situation table is a multi-agency team consisting of front-line staff from public safety, health, and social services to address specific situations where a vulnerable individual or family may be in imminent harm, and was first announced for Nanaimo in March 2021.

Manager of social planning and table co-chair Christy Wood, said since the first meeting last year they’ve received 28 total referrals and assisted 15 individuals by connecting them to services or personal support.

“Partners at this table share information about vulnerable individuals or families…which allows our front-line professionals to design and deliver in-person intervention to connect individuals to service, and the goal is always to try and connect individuals and families to services within 24-48 hours.”

Out of the 28 referrals received, the most common risk factors for referral include drug use, mental health issues, lack of or access to appropriate housing, alcohol use, and criminal involvement.

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Twenty of the referrals were identified as male, with seven identified as female and one for a family.

Co-chair of N-ART Dr. Lauren Mayes, criminology professor at VIU, said people aged 30-39 were the most common group referred to the 21 local partner social service agencies.

“We have seen the mean age being in the 30’s, but we are seeing a lot of younger people coming to our table, as young as 12, 13, 14 in some very urgent situations. We have a couple of youth in particular who are perpetually at very high risk and are very well known.”

Mayes said they do continue to face some challenges, including a lack of capacity and resources from service providers, and not having sustained funding from the province.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges…was this idea of, ‘ok this person is in acutely elevated level of risk, but so are 50 other people on my caseload, how am I bringing this person forward and not all these other people?'”

The City received $30,000 in provincial grant money to establish the N-ART, used to acquire equipment and train members of the situation table.

City council unanimously approved a recommendation to enter into an Integrated Program Agreement with the province to support the activities of the N-ART, a requirement from the ministry of public safety and solicitor general as the hosting municipality.

Current provincial supports for the over 30 situation tables in B.C. include community outreach and engagement, providing complimentary operational training for situation tables, and ensuring confidential information on referrals is kept private.

There are no financial implications for the City to proceed with the IPA for N-ART, besides approximately eight hours of weekly staff time.

Local service providers partnered with the N-ART. (City of Nanaimo)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow