MERIT Multiagency Early Risk Intervention Tables Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Cst Ryan McEachran 19 May 2015
Collaborative Risk Driven Community Safety & Wellness
Foundation and Ontario Context • Collaborative Risk Driven Community Safety & Wellness • ‘HUB’ in Glasgow Scotland & Prince Albert Saskatchewan • Safety, Health, & Social service professionals targeting; • Individuals and families who exhibit signs of ‘ acutely elevated risk ’ and require services of multiple agencies
Acutely Elevated Risk “Any situation facing individuals, families, or the community where circumstances, as viewed from multiple human service perspectives, indicate there is a high probability of the occurrence of harm, victimization, or criminality . If left untended these situations may require targeted enforcement, emergency response, or intensive support from social services. The “acute” nature of these situations is an indicator that either chronic conditions have accumulated to the point where a crisis is imminent, or new circumstances have contributed to severely increased risks of victimization”
MERIT Threshold: Criteria for Referrals 1) Significant community interest at stake? 2) Probability of Harm Occurring? (There is a reasonable expectation of harm to individuals if nothing is done.) 3) Significant Intensity of Harm Occurring? (The harm would constitute damage or detriment and not mere inconvenience to the individual. It is reasonable to assume that disclosure to MERIT would help minimize or prevent the anticipated harm.) 4) Multidisciplinary nature of the risk? (The risk factors are beyond the Originating Agency’s scope/mandate to mitigate the elevated level of risk. Operating risk factors cut across multiple human service disciplines. Traditional inter-agency approaches have been considered/attempted.)
Collaborative Outcomes • Reductions witnessed across a number of key indicators such as child protection cases, emergency room admissions, violent crime and criminality, public disorder, etc. • Improved provision and prioritization of local community safety, social, and health related services • Community Outreach via increased vigilance and awareness • Qualitative outcomes – partnership working, etc. • Breaking Silos: Privacy & formalized information sharing
Adherence to Privacy: 4 Filter Process AGENCIES PRESENT A SITUATION OF AER IN A MASKED AND BANDED WAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRE-SET RISK VARIABLES. The MERIT agencies then decide if the situation is in fact AER as a “consensus of experts.” The originating agency then reveals more information about the situation in order to deem which agencies will be best suited to take part in an intervention. Once the Lead and Supporting agency has been identified, all conversation stops, and only those agencies share information off-line in order to conduct the intervention
MERIT Governance Model
MERIT Pilot – South Ottawa
MERIT Contacts MERIT Business Owner Supt Samir Bhatnagar BhatnagarS@ottawapolice.ca (613) 236-1222 x 4600 MERIT Operations Cst Ryan McEachran Mceachranr@ottawapolice.ca (613) 236-1222 x 5988
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