Health Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME) provides mobile support, harm reduction supplies, access to basic needs, and resource navigation to people in Guelph-Wellington who are struggling with their substance use and experiencing homelessness or precariously housed.
As a mobile program, we meet people where they are, overcoming common barriers to traditional health care. This program is an urgent response to drug poisoning deaths and other harms from substance use. HOME also helps to fill the gap left by the closure or transition of previous harm reduction services in our communities.
How does it work?
The HOME team operates from an outreach vehicle in the City of Guelph. We also offer referrals to ‘place-based’ (not mobile) health supports.
Our team is made up of outreach workers and peer workers who engage with community members throughout the Guelph community. By building relationships and meeting people where they are, the team strives to improve access to social and health services.
Services offered:
- Low-barrier access to mobile health care
- Real-time peer support
- Education on harm reduction and drug poisoning prevention
- Harm reduction support (equipment, supplies, services, and information)
- Naloxone kit distribution and training
- Connections to housing, health, income, and food supports
- Connection and/or referrals to substance use counselling, addiction medicine, treatment, and recovery supports
- Crisis de-escalation and connection to crisis counselling and supports
Partners
Health Outreach Mobile Engagement is part of a joint initiative between Guelph CHC, the City of Guelph, Sanguen Health Centre, and the Mount Forest Family Health Team. The initiative is funded through Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund.
