Local agencies meet to help people at risk

RCMP, the City of Kelowna and a variety of local agencies are teaming up to help people at risk in the community.

The Kelowna Outreach and Support Table is modelled after a program created in Saskatchewan in 2011 and since adopted by municipalities across the country, including Surrey, Mission and Penticton.

Representatives from law enforcement, community corrections, public health, housing, social services, income assistance, public education, youth justice and the municipality will meet regularly to provide assistance to those in the community who are believed to be at risk.

“Our partners are already extremely collaborative and committed to helping our community,” said Cpl Carrie Seale. “Now we can be proactive in identifying those experiencing acutely elevated risk and reaching them sooner to prevent the need for a future emergency response.”

Participants in the table gathered for a training session Tuesday and developed plans for dealing with certain situations.

“With the recent training and launch of KOaST, there is now a mechanism in place in Kelowna to identify acute risk sooner and mitigate those risks, before having to activate an emergent response to an imminent crisis situation,” said trainer Brent Kalinowski, with Global Network for Community Safety.