CUPS perspective: care coordination
From the first point of contact for clients as they come through the doors at CUPS, to their partner on a journey towards resilience, the care coordinators at CUPS are at the forefront of integrated care.
Integrated care at CUPS is as much about connections as it is about the journey. While the initial assessment allows us to use the brain story to figure out what support clients need and how effective the support is over time, it’s the connections to care that start a client down a new road to a more resilient future.
Kevin Fulton was part of the care team who recently supported a 28-year-old woman, Susanne*, who was single and had no children. Kevin describes her as an amazing, motivated and hard-working client who has been through so many changes.
“When she started in the Graduated Housing Program and Employment, Education and Training Program in 2019, she felt lost, dealing with addictions. One goal was to see if she could stay at a job for three months and make it in on time.”
Building a new road together
It was that simple goal and streamlined focus that helped this young woman begin to find her way forward. It was Kevin and a multi-disciplinary team of experts that helped her begin to build back a strong foundation.
Not only has she worked hard to deal with past trauma and relationships, she’s actively learned about boundaries, how to tackle her addictions and explored opportunities to find consistent employment and go back to school.
“She’s gone to detox, seen an equine therapist, recently started with Rapid Care Counselling, has a sponsor, goes to addictions meetings and has started positive self-care activities,” says Kevin.
Susanne’s experience with CUPS highlights the importance of the Integrated Care model. While her initial introduction to the organization was for housing support, she has accessed a wide range of services in the last few years. In addition to counselling and healthcare services, she also received support to get Identification, accessed the Mobile Community Development program and the Crisis intervention Fund.
Susanne has now completed the Women in Trades pre-employment program through eMpower and SAIT, and has applied for Finning’s apprenticeship program as a heavy-duty mechanic. Along her way she continues to keep in touch with Kevin, as her care coordinator, and knows she has people behind her.
It’s the care coordinators, like Kevin, who are leading the way with Integrated Care. They are breaking down barriers, building connections and becoming a valuable ally for each and every client on their journey to a more resilient future.
*Name has been changed to protect anonymity