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Annapolis Valley Coordinated Access System

*Please note the Portal is password protected.

When should I access the Coordinated Access System?

You should reach out to services if you live in West Hants, Kings, Annapolis or Digby County and…

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.

Pillars of a Coordinated Access System include: 

1. The By Name List helps capture important information of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

2. 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.

3. Coordinated Access streamlines individuals into housing support services based on their needs, area and program space and availability.

4. Coordinated Access uses collaborative case-conferencing to ensure that individuals with complex needs are prioritized in a fair and equitable way

5. Coordinated Access uses a prioritization matrix which ensures that folks who are most in need, and most vulnerable, will be served first. Some demographic questions will be asked during your intake and those questions may or may not be included in the matrix based on the identified needs of the community.

Populations which are prioritized in some way within this system include: Those with significant mental health barriers, people with disabilities, seniors, youth, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, individuals belonging to BIPOC communities

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. 

Image Courtesy of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

What does the process look like?

Step 1 – Entry to the Coordinated Access System 

AVCAS is working diligently to set up access points across the Annapolis Valley, from West Hants County to Digby County, inclusive. 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.

Formal Access Points have a physical space where you can meet with a support worker who will complete an intake and add your name to the By Name List if you are eligible for longer term supports.

At Informal Access Points, you will have to ask for long term supports by asking a worker to add your name to the By Name List.

Informal and Formal Access Points:  

Open Arms Outreach Drop-in Center (Serving Kings County and Middleton, all ages)
35 Webster Street, Suite 103, Kentville
Mondays 9-11am
Wednesdays 11-1pm
Fridays 1-3pm

Formal Access Point

Open Arms Shelter and Individual Support (Serving Kings County and Middleton, all ages)
32 Bridge st, Kentville

Formal Access Point

The Portal Youth Outreach Association (Serving Annapolis Valley, ages 16-24)
440 Main St, Kentville
Monday-Friday, 9-4pm

Informal Access Point

Kids Action Program (Serving Kings County, families and seniors)
Box 893
Kentville, Nova Scotia
B4N 4H8

Informal Access Point

West Hants County Family Resource Centre (West Hants County, all ages)
61 Morison Dr, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0
(902) 798-5961

Informal Access Point

Project H.O.P.E (Serving Annapolis Valley from Digby County to Kings County inclusive, all ages)
Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30pm

Informal Access Point

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: 

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?

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

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

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

Can I bring someone?

** 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/

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