The Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) project has been awarded the Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Award for its success in improving health outcomes for marginalized people in the region. The awards are a new event recognizing and celebrating the achievements of individuals and teams in the Ontario health system. SOS took home the award in the Population Health category.

“Ontario is grappling with numerous health care challenges including the opioid crisis, mental health issues and homelessness, and chronic diseases. 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,” said Kevin McNab, Director of Paramedic Services with Grey County and Co-Chair of the SOS program.

SOS is a multidisciplinary mobile team of healthcare professionals that provide a range of services in the community from addiction medicine and mental health support to basic needs such as food and personal care supplies. The mobile team includes a paramedic, nurse practitioner, two mental health counselors and a social navigator. They are supported by over 20 partner organizations including an addictions specialist physician, public health, hospitals, family health teams, municipalities, police, housing and social services, and charitable organizations.

The SOS program formed following a COVID-19 outbreak at a rooming house in 2021. The outbreak highlighted the need to address health equity and health outcome gaps seen in highly marginalized individuals. A partnership was formed including addiction medicine physicians, Grey Bruce Health Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, Grey County Paramedic Services, the United Way, OSHARE and the Salvation Army. They are supported by several partner organizations including Grey Bruce Public Health, family health teams, municipalities, police, housing and social services, and charitable organizations.

Within months of SOS activating, the street involved community was responding positively and trust and relationships were building.  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. Clinics are held weekly in Owen Sound, bi-weekly in Hanover, and monthly in Meaford. More information on the SOS program can be found online at https://unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/sos-helps/.

“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.”

The Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Awards aim to become a tradition that annually celebrates the dedication, innovation, and excellence in Ontario’s health care system, fostering a culture of recognition and continuous improvement. More information about the awards can be found on the nomination website, https://ontariohealthsystemawards.awardsplatform.com/.

More information on the SOS program can be found online here.

Heather’s Remarks from her acceptance speech

It’s with immense gratitude that we accept the first Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Award. This recognition is not just a testament to our hard work but to the collective spirit of compassion and resilience that drives our mission.

Our mobile model of care has revolutionized how we serve the marginalized, vulnerable, and often overlooked unsheltered populations battling mental health and substance use disorders in the rural context of the County of Grey.

This is not merely a service; it is a holistic approach that embodies harm reduction principles and prioritizes dignity, respect, and empowerment. We have transformed traditional healthcare barriers into bridges of support, meeting individuals where they are, both literally and figuratively.

Our small team of women has shown that with creativity, grit, and a commitment to holistic care, we can change lives. Together, we have built a community where hope thrives, opiate related harms and deaths are reduced and recovery is possible.

Thank you to everyone who believed in this vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. This award belongs to all of you—dedicated harm-reduction teams across the province saving lives, our partners (Grey County, Brightshores Health System, CMHA, United Way, Grey Bruce PHU and so many others), and most importantly, the beautiful and resilient individuals we serve.

Let this be a reminder that when we innovate with compassion, we can create a healthier future for all. Thank you!

Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/CENrhdLTWd8?si=2RVVXSryCX0JEH5E&t=4150