The Health Outreach Mobile Engagement (H.O.M.E) Program
The H.O.M.E Program provides a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral mobile response to improve the health outcomes and health equity of highly marginalized individuals in London.
The H.O.M.E Program is for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, or are insecurely housed, or are clients rostered with the London InterCommunity Health Centre
People who use drugs are experts:
People who use drugs are knowledgeable about the culture of drug use and their own goals and needs. Collaborating with people who use drugs is critical to developing successful programs and strategies to address the overdose crisis.
Participant-led and participant centred care delivery:
The program will aim to support people to meet their current goals in the safest way possible. Our aim is to provide compassionate and equitable healthcare to people.
Harm reduction:
The program recognizes that drug-related harms are largely driven by criminalization of drugs and the people who use them. Team members will respect people’s autonomy and choices around substance use and accessing healthcare.
Low-barrier care:
The program is meant to be as accessible as possible. Team members will strive to meet client needs and ensure access to care through flexibility, problem solving, and collaboration.
Non-punitive approach:
The program recognizes that our clients’ lives are complicated. All challenges will be addressed through dialogue and support and will not result in discharge from the program.
Two days a week, services are offered from a Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Special Operations Bus that has been outfitted to deliver multiple health services. Three days a week, an emergency support SUV will be deployed to assist the H.O.M.E team in providing care to clients.
The H.O.M.E Program is a mobile service. Locations and hours of operation are based on site availability and community-identified need.
An evaluation of the H.O.M.E Program was conducted to explore the impacts from the first year of program implementation.
Through the evaluation process, stories were gathered that demonstrate the impact the H.O.M.E Program has had on individuals accessing the program.
The H.O.M.E Program receives financial support from the Government of Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program. Financial support for the H.O.M.E Program is also provided by Ontario Health West.
Len Hughes
Email: lhughes@lihc.on.ca
Phone: 519-660-0874 ext.1340
Cassidy Morris
Email: cmorris@lihc.on.ca
Phone: 519-660-0874 ext. 1395