Supporting Client Power in 2024

The power of client resilience shines through…

the Program Managers’ monthly reports in 2024. Also shining through is GSS staff commitment to do whatever it takes, over and over, to help clients recognize and use their power. What better way to close out the year than to celebrate program examples of client successes and the teams who nurture those successes?

It’s also a perfect time to acknowledge the life changing support that happens across GSS over the year. Congratulations to all GSS staff who directly and indirectly contributed to the many amazing participant successes through 2024.

 Balwin Supportive Housing & the Health Support Team

One of our complex participants had been refusing hospitalization for the past few months, despite experiencing anaphylactic reactions and requiring staff-administered epinephrine. Even after consulting with her family doctor, she continued to refuse hospital care. This month, she fell seriously ill with a respiratory virus, prompting staff to call EMS, who insisted that hospitalization was necessary. With support from the HST and Balwin staff, we were able to persuade her to go to the hospital, which was a significant breakthrough given her declining health. Upon arrival, she was noncompliant with treatments. Our staff visited her daily, providing reassurance to help her feel safe and encourage her cooperation with the medical team. After a few visits, she began to comply with the nurses' requests, taking her medications and undergoing necessary medical tests. The hospital staff expressed their gratitude for our ongoing support. Thanks to her cooperation, she made a full recovery and was discharged after two weeks.

 Clinical Access Team

This month we would like to highlight an incredibly hardworking and dedicated participant. This individual came to us when her depression and substance use was at an all-time high. She struggled to engage at first with her Case Lead and conversations were often very emotional.  A significant amount of time was spent just building her relationship with the program. Fast forward 12+ months and she has now graduated from her diploma program, completed the Lives In Transition program, and has a full-time job. Her dedication and discipline have seen her through the difficulties of mental health, and she has come out on top!

Cloverleaf Intensive Supports Program (now Canora Program)

A client that recently had a lower leg amputation has struggled to get motivated to move from just using a wheelchair to also using a walker. Mid-way through the month we saw a positive change after the client went on an outing with his brother. When the client returned from the outing, he was using his walker and walked from the parking lot to his suite. Since then, the client has been using his walker more often each day.

 George’s House

We successfully reconnected a patient with his two sons after years of separation. He celebrated his birthday at George’s House with his sons and was gifted a guitar, which he played until his passing, leaving it to his son to continue their jam sessions. A patient from our waitlist was thrilled to join George’s House. She uses her scooter to explore the neighborhood and participates in cultural activities with Kokum’s helper. Her son spends a lot of time with her, and they organized a celebration of life party attended by 50 to 70 people.

Human-centered Engagement and Liaison Partnership Unit (HELP) and Diversion & Desistance (D&D) Teams

HELP: HELP was asked to attend a domestic violence call for a woman and her child who didn’t have a safe place to go. The HELP Branch Navigator found all domestic violence shelters were full but was able to connect with the Women in Need (WIN) House Manager who created a temporary emergency space for this individual and her child. Follow-up has been completed with Alberta Works emergency funding applied for and HELP planning to assist with housing.  

 D&D: A recent success story was how the team was able to ensure a client received their needed medication despite several barriers. This client was released from the Edmonton Remand Center without any medication or an active prescription, a common barrier D&D faces. D&D LPNs were able to get a new prescription for the individual’s medication via a tele-health appointment with Century Medical Clinic. The team also arranged for emergency prescription coverage, so the client was able to receive their medication on the day of release. 

Housing First

One of our participants was living in a 5 x 7 shed for nearly two years before connecting with our team. He was struggling with serious health concerns and untreated mental health, which led our Housing Outreach Worker to bring in one of the LPNs on the Health Support Team to assist. Since having both supports in place, the participant has been able to get a doctor, complete all necessary blood work/screens/x-rays, get a referral for a mental health assessment, and be housed successfully at Prairie Manor. He has been thriving at Prairie Manor, making friends, practicing self-care, and focusing on his healing journey.

 Medically Supported Detox

A former client came to the Detox gate one evening stating he wanted to say thank you and goodbye to the staff. The client had been evicted from a sober living home after missing curfew and was expressing suicidal intent. The staff brought the client inside to de-escalate and offer support. Staff called EMS and the client was agreeable to this support. Staff noted there was one bed opening the next morning, and due to this situational crisis, advised the client and hospital staff he would be able to transfer to the MSD upon discharge from the hospital. This transfer was completed the next morning. The client is doing well in MSD and has an interview for a recovery centre in Calgary. This not only speaks to the safety and security that community members feel with this agency, but also the exemplary care and skill of the staff in that moment.

 Recovery Treatment Team

A participant expressed interest in volunteering but was unsure how to get started. Her Family Support Worker (FSW) connected her to a Society where she found several volunteering opportunities. She committed to showing up for every shift, demonstrating reliability and growth. Shortly after she began, she encountered some challenges with transportation, so her FSW planned to support her by taking the bus with her to help her feel comfortable with the commute. Despite a setback when the bus was canceled that morning, the FSW helped her navigate the situation, ensuring she arrived at the volunteering location on time. Volunteering has provided the participant with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, playing a key role in her recovery journey thus far and she is excited to continue her progress toward one year of sobriety. 

Supervised Consumption Service

 After a year of working with one of our clients, our team was finally able to gain his trust. Staff were able to assist him in getting his ID for the first time in years then helped him set up a bank account and get connected to a Housing Worker. The client is now living in transitional housing in the new trailers with Niginan Housing Ventures. Our team was also able to get a couple that were sleeping rough for many years into the same trailers.

 Unity Manor Supportive Housing

A client was consuming a 60 oz of vodka every 3 days. He spent most of his money on alcohol and weed. This month he started an informal Managed Alcohol Program with the support of his Case Manager. He also got Meals on Wheels and is budgeting with his Case Manager. After a month, he is feeling better physically and mentally. He is no longer experiencing withdrawals because he always has the alcohol. He is bragging to everyone about budgeting with his Case Manager and his Managed Alcohol Program to all the participants. WAY TO GO!