Coordinated Access

Mission Statement: The Annapolis Valley Coordinated Access System addresses homelessness in the Annapolis Valley and surrounding areas at a client-focused, systems level. We do this by collaborating with community partners including those with lived/living experience to simplify access to services for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless so they are connected with the appropriate services.

Vision Statement: The Annapolis Valley Coordinated Access System (AVCAS) envisions a community where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Are you a Partner?

*Please note the Portal is password protected.

What is Coordinated Access: Coordinated Access is a system that community agencies use to support people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.

[Image by Employment and Social Development Canada]

A Coordinated Access system places the person in need at the center of their care and provides support based on needs they identify. This is called a person-centered approach.  

The goal of the Annapolis Valley Coordinated Access System (AVCAS) is to prioritize individuals by assessing their strengths, vulnerabilities and risk of re-entering homelessness. This ensures that individuals with higher needs and priority populations are served first. 

Priority Populations include:  

• Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
• Those with significant mental health barriers to housing
• People with disabilities
• Seniors
• Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
• Individuals belonging to BIPOC communities

Defining features of this system include: 

• Coordinated Access uses a By Name List to help capture important information of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Homeless-serving agencies and community partners use a common assessment tool to help identify the needs, strengths and vulnerabilities of an individual so they are better able to be connected to proper housing services.
• Coordinated Access uses collaborative case-conferencing to ensure that individuals with complex needs are prioritized in a fair and equitable way.
• Coordinated Access streamlines individuals into housing support services based on their needs, area and program space and availability.

Keep in mind…

• Coordinated Access is not a guarantee of services.
• Coordinated Access does not provide funds. Through the Coordinated Access system, a client may be connected to a housing support worker. Housing support workers have access to an eviction prevention fund based on identified needs.  
• Coordinated Access is not an emergency service. [In an emergency, an individual should call either 911, their local police department, the mobile mental health crisis line, or local shelters depending on the situation.]  

Who can access the Coordinated Access System:  

The Coordinated Access system currently serves individuals and families in the Annapolis Valley who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. The Coordinated Access System connects individuals to support services and housing within the housing continuum, when it becomes available.

Why do we use this system: Coordinated Access was developed to meet the evolving needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness. 

Those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness may benefit from this system because they are not left to navigate the growing list of resources by themselves. Participating agencies also benefit from having access to collaborative case conferencing which identifies client-focused action items so services are not duplicated.

Image Courtesy of Innfromthecold.org

Step 1 – Entry to the Coordinated Access System 

AVCAS is working diligently to set up access points across the Annapolis Valley, including in the Tri-County area. In the interim, there are informal access points where you can seek help by asking for a housing support worker or an emergency shelter bed. You can access these supports directly based on your need and demographic.

Informal Access Points:  

• On Mondays beginning October 21st from 7am-1pm, a temporary Access Point will be available at the Visitor Information Center in Wolfville.
• The Portal Youth Outreach Association (Serving Annapolis Valley, ages 16-24)
• Open Arms Shelter and Individual Support (Serving Kings County, all ages)
• Kids Action Program (Serving Kings and East Hants Counties, families and seniors)
• Hants County Family Resource Centre (West Hants County, all ages)
• Project H.O.P.E (Serving Annapolis Valley, all ages except youth 16-24)

Step 2 – Intake | Immediate needs assessment  

You will meet with a support worker and be asked to complete an intake form with them (called the By Name registration form). At this time the worker will also connect you with services to meet any immediate needs not being addressed including access to food, clothing and other basic human needs.  

The intake form will include questions about the following: 

• Your current housing situation and if you have received an eviction notice 
• Your name (and any nicknames)
• Your date of birth 

• Your phone number / email address
• Your income [NOTE: We do not require any documentation about income at this point]  
• Other service providers you may be connected with [e.g.: food bank, tenancy board, shelter services, etc.] 

Please Note: All information is voluntary. 

Step 3 – Detailed Assessment  (if applicable)

Some information about the assessment:

Coordinated Access currently uses the Vulnerability Assessment (VAT) as it’s common assessment tool.

Do I have to do this assessment?

• The Vulnerability Assessment (VAT) is completely voluntary, so if you choose not to participate in the assessment, none of your services will be negatively affected.
• Not everyone will require an assessment. The assessment we use is called the Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT). Please tell your intake worker if you have already completed an assessment within the past year.
• Only individuals 18 and above who are currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness are eligible to have the assessment done.

How do I know if an assessment has been booked for me?

• An email will be sent to your inbox from [email protected] with the information on this page along with the time/date and location of your appointment.
• You are asked to please confirm your appointment by responding to the email, however, the spot will be held for you even if you do not confirm. It is important that you cancel by calling (782)232-2695 if you know you will not be able to attend.

Where do I go if I choose to complete the VAT? How long is it?

• The assessment will be with myself, Alison Coldwell (AVCAS Manager) or with Shauna Brousseau, the AVCAS Assessment Specialist at 10 Webster St (Kentville Center Square)
• If trained to do so, your housing support worker may also be able to complete the assessment with you. Please ask them if you would feel more comfortable having them complete this with you.
• The assessment takes about 45 minutes to complete, depending on how many sections are relevant to your experience.

What is the assessment like? How will it be used?

• During the assessment I will ask many questions about your barriers to housing, and some information surrounding your needs and experiences. These questions can be very personal, but we ask you to please be honest.
• The VAT is used to case conference with other service providers so we can pool our resources to try to help house you in an appropriate place or program. The consent form you sign features the agencies who sometimes attend these meetings. 
• The VAT will be used to prioritize individuals into programs and housing across all parts of the housing continuum, as programs and housing are built.

Can I bring someone?

• If you have a trusted service provider you would like to bring along, they are more than welcome to come.
• We ask that you not bring family/friends. Some questions are very personal and you may not want to talk openly in front of family/friends.

** With your permission, the results of the Vulnerability Assessment are entered into a central database. **  

Step 4 – Connection to Services 

The support worker will match and connect you with services to address your needs and help you meet your goals.  

Step 5 – Follow up  

For more information about Coordinated Access, contact Alison Coldwell at [email protected]

The Coordinated Access Program is generously supported by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia  https://www.ahans.ca/