The Supportive Outreach Services program (SOS) in Grey County has earned accolades at the Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Awards.
SOS took home the award in the Population Health category. The awards are a new event that celebrate achievements in the Ontario health system.
“Ontario is grappling with numerous health care challenges including the opioid crisis, mental health issues and homelessness, and chronic diseases,” said Kevin McNab, Director of Paramedic Services with Grey County and Co-Chair of the SOS program. "SOS faces these challenges from a rural lens, with strategic, patient-centred interventions that are effectively helping patients who face significant barriers to accessing healthcare in traditional ways."
The SOS program formed following a COVID-19 outbreak at a rooming house in 2021, which showed the need to address health equity for marginalized residents.
“The Support Outreach Service (SOS) program has truly revolutionized the way we support our most vulnerable community members,” said Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of the United Way Grey Bruce and SOS Co-Chair. “It is a groundbreaking initiative that provides not only immediate medical assistance but also long-term support and hope. This innovative program is not just changing lives; it’s saving them. It serves as a model of compassion and effectiveness for communities across the province, demonstrating how tailored, responsive care can transform the landscape of public health and safety.”
From February 2022 to June 2024, nearly 4,000 interactions were completed, providing 12,000 services ranging from meals to medical interventions to referrals to other services. She added it's become indispensable.
"So, I've often had calls from somebody who's reaching out for help," said Dobbyn. "And my first instinct is, okay, where's SOS today? And I say, Okay, can you get to the Hanover Civic Center? Because SOS is there from one to three, and they have the staff there that can help you navigate all of this."
But Dobbyn says more could be done.
"So we have this amazing SOS program, but it only runs Monday to Thursday, and it's only available in Grey County," she added. "We need to go seven days a week, and we need to cover Bruce County. But again, the funding has to be there."
Dobbyn said they need $250,000 for a dedicated medical needs van and an additional $500,000 per year to expand SOS from four to seven days a week.
SOS is a partnership between addiction medicine physicians, Brightshores Health Systems, the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, Grey County Paramedic Services, the United Way, OSHARE and the Salvation Army. The mobile team includes a paramedic, nurse practitioner, two mental health counselors, and a social navigator. Partner organizations include Grey Bruce Public Health, family health teams, municipalities, police, housing and social services, and charitable organizations.