The Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program has seen successful results in its infancy. The program pairs a Community Services Officer with an outreach worker from either ASK Wellness or the Canadian Mental Health Association Kamloops—both key partners in delivering this service. The purpose of this program is to establish and build relationships with unsheltered people experiencing homelessness and provide them with a connection to shelter and support services. 

In January 2023, the Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program:

• Created 156 new files created where people interacted with the Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program for the first time or the first time since their previous file connected with a Community Services Officer and agency team member was closed. This is a key step in building relationships and trust. 
• Connected 82 people to shelters for accommodation.
• Connected one person to heath services either in the emergency room, primary care, preventative care, pharmaceutical care, prenatal care, mental health, substance use support, and/or wound care.
• Referred 27 people to the Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program by a Community Services Officer or agency team member for services to provide housing navigation, supportive housing, income and funding, recovery, rent subsidies, relocation and reconnection, supportive employment, food security, or legal aid.
• Referred 55 people externally to agencies that are not directly partnered on the Community Services Officer Outreach and Response Program for services such as housing navigation, supportive housing, income and funding, recovery, rent subsidies, relocation and reconnection, supportive employment, food security, or legal aid.

The program operates 16 hours per day (8:00 am to midnight), seven days a week. To connect with or report a situation for the Community Services Officer Outreach and Response team to attend, call Community Services at 250-828-3409.