PROPOSED COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE GETS FUNDING
BROCKVILLE _ A $3 million capital grant from
the Ontario government will allow coordination
of community mental health and addictions services
at one location, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman
announced today.
Runciman met with Belia Brandow, executive
director, and John McTavish, chair, of the Leeds
and Grenville Rehabilitation and Counselling
Services to discuss the project that will involve
expansion and reconstruction of the Brockville
Public Utility Commission building on Front
Avenue to house the new facility. Runciman made
the funding announcement on behalf of the Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care.
A tentative deal has been negotiated between
the community group and Hydro One for the property
that was made surplus with the sale of the city’s
electrical distribution business.
“The new Community Mental Health and
Addictions Resource Centre will provide a single
point of entry and access to a range of community-based
health services,” said Brandow.
Runciman said the new facility will play an
important role in offering complete mental health
care services to the area. Some of the programs
in the new building will be transferred from
the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital.
The Resource Centre will be home to agencies
such as the Leeds and Grenville Rehabilitation
and Counselling Services, Elmgrove Outpatient
and Crisis Services,Canadian Mental Health Association
and the Assertive Community Treatment Team of
Leeds, Grenville and south Lanark.
“The Community Resource Centre will build
on existing partnerships, strengthening coordination
and cooperation,” said Brandow. “Sharing
facilities will eliminate potential duplication
of services and provide opportunities to share
resources.”
Increased funding for current community mental
health programs has made existing spaces too
small to accommodate enhanced services and programs
along with an approximate staff complement of
110.
The proposed center fits the model set by Community
Mental Health Reforms and directions set out
by the South Eastern Mental Health Task Force.
“The Community Resource Centre is part
of the overall structure envisioned to provide
effective and efficient mental health services
in this area,” said Runciman.
