Collaborate Barrie is a multi-agency intervention (Situation Table) focusing on addressing the onset and potential escalation of criminal and antisocial behaviour through a twice weekly, multi-sectoral discussion. It identifies individuals, or families, experiencing “acutely elevated risk” behaviour, and gives the agencies present at the table the ability and collaborative responsibility to intervene before the risk escalates.

Collaborate Barrie is not a service delivery agency or mechanism, but rather a way of utilizing and mobilizing existing systems and resources in a coordinated and collaborative way.

Collaborate Barrie Partners

A community partnership representing key sectors in the human services system of Barrie that have come together with a common passion and goal of responding collaboratively to the needs of those in high risk or crisis situations.

Collaborate Barrie currently has 21 primary members at the Situation Table each week including:

• Barrie Police Services
• Barrie Community Health Team and MVP Clinic
• Barrie Native Friendship Centre
• Barrie OPP
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Catulpa Community Supports
• David Busby Centre
• Huronia West OPP
• Kinark Child and Family Services
• Nottawasaga OPP
• Ontario Works
• Paramedic Services Simcoe County
• Probation (Adult and Youth)
• Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
• Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions
• Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie
• YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka
• Youth Haven

Additional community agencies have been identified as critical to the success of Collaborate Barrie, based on their involvement in situations of risk and their ability to provide services and supports.

The “Situation Table”

The Situation Table is one component of Collaborate Barrie. The Situation Table is a discussion. Twice a week, participants from partner agencies meet at the Situation Table to collaboratively identify and plan responses to situations of acutely elevated risk. These meetings enable service providers to work together efficiently and effectively – connecting those at risk with the supports that can help. The first Table discussion took place on June 9, 2015.

The importance of early interventions

Once a situation has been identified as an acutely elevated risk, it is imperative to respond within 24 – 48 hours to lower the risk to manageable levels and intervene while a situation is still a potential risk rather than once an actual incident has occurred.

How partner agencies share information

In Ontario, a multi-sector Ontario Working Group conducted a lengthy study on existing policies. The widely adopted Four Filter process, used in these Situation Table models, has been reviewed by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) and it has been found that this approach stands up to the highest levels of scrutiny. It ensures that ONLY situations of acutely elevated risk are discussed, that MINIMAL identifying personal information is disclosed, and then only to those agencies DIRECTLY involved in an active service delivery role.

How Collaborate Barrie serves the Community

Collaborative responses across multi-sectors quickly connect individuals and families with appropriate services. Responses are risk-driven and occur within 24 – 48 hours.
Rates of crime and victimization, ED visits and calls to Emergency Services and school truancy rates have all been lowered in other areas using this model.