|
Grandview - Woodland |
|
Health & Social Services—Needs |
|
Needs 1. Youth Safe Houses: In response to growing number of homeless people and people marginally in Grandview Woodland, at least two community leaders expressed an immediate need of safe houses for street- and/or drug-involved youth under the age of 18 (Murray & Condon, 2005). Although there are resources for this age group, they require the youths to “be clean and sober for entry” (Murray & Condon, 2005). For those who fail to meet these requirements, they are redirected to a rather unsafe environment, such as alternative housings particularly for young adults (Murray & Condon, 2005). In addition, a significant number of younger people, “often coming from out of province or who for whatever reason do not have an open file” with the ministry of child and family development are ineligible for admission to safe houses (Murray & Condon, 2005). Therefore, this community is in high need of safe houses for the youths who are ineligible for admission to current resources for this age group. 2. Local shelter and basic services for people who lives on the street: According to community survey conducted by Strathcona Research Group (2006), about 90% of local residents and businesses said that “24 hour services would be…useful in addressing drug and alcohol problems in the neighborhood” (Strathcona Research Group, 2006). 82% agreed that shelters would be useful as well (Strathcona Research Group, 2006). In addition, the survey also revealed lack of basic services for people who lives on the street (Strathcona Research Group, 2006). The examples of the basic services recommended by many of the focus group participants are accesses to shower, laundry, storage facilities, payphones, and public bathrooms (Strathcona Research Group, 2006). 3. More Mental Health Services in the Community: Due to “the cumulative nature of eligibility restrictions on access to welfare and disability benefits and other health and social services,” the well beings of people with mental illness are severely impacted (Murray & Condon, 2005). Reported by the mental health workers, there are “more people that are very ill with mental illness” (Murray & Condon, 2005). The mental health team is unable to keep up with the “increasing caseloads in all areas,” such as services for adult, family and children, and older adult (Murray & Condon, 2005). For example, some children with mental illness do not receive treatment right away and are put on a wait list instead (Murray & Condon, 2005). Besides, for those with mental conditions that are not regarded as serious or persistent, their cases are not even eligible for specific services such as “housing, financial aid and crisis support” (Murray & Condon, 2005). Situated “between employability and disability,” they are falling through cracks of the mental health service system (Murray& Condon, 2005; Bird & Peat, 2007). For this reason, more services and assistance for people with mental illness are needed in this community. |