Women’s Intensive Case Management Team launched on the Downtown Eastside
DTES women’s-only services provide safety and support to clients with complex needs
“Women living in the Downtown Eastside often face barriers in accessing traditional health care services, but have great need for both primary care services as well as access to substance use and mental health programs,” says Smadar Levinson, Team Leader – Women’s ICMT, Vancouver Community.
The new Women’s Intensive Case Management Team (ICMT) was launched on February 1st in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), and is specifically designed for clients who face high levels of marginalization, are unable to access existing VCH health services, face multiple barriers to care, and who have problematic substance use and/or mental health challenges.
The interdisciplinary model of the women’s ICMT includes social workers, outreach nurses, nurse practitioners, health care workers and a Peer with lived experience. This reflects VCH-Vancouver’s commitment to plan and deliver services around clients’ needs, so as to reduce barriers and improve access to services. This includes reaching out to connect with our clients – and the community services that support them – where they are at. Working with clients “where they are” can improve equitable access to appropriate health care.
“Safety is a key concern for many women living in the DTES, including a variety of physical, emotional and cultural issues. The Women’s ICMT will provide same-gender care, including peers wherever possible, to help develop trusting relationships and get sooner to better health outcomes,” says Levinson. “Our clinicians are an incredible group who practice through the lens of social justice and understand inequities in our lives caused by trauma.”
The implementation of the Women’s ICMT is part of VCH-Vancouver’s larger DTES 2nd Generation Strategy and, specifically, the recommendations outlined in the Women’s Health and Safety Companion Paper, in collaboration with VCH-Vancouver staff, clients and community stakeholders.
The Women’s ICMT is one of several initiatives designed specifically for women in the DTES. VCH also recently announced a women’s Overdose Response Site and 38 substance use transition beds in partnership with Atira Women’s Resource Society, in addition to a Women’s Mobile Health Services van (coming this spring).
The new Women’s ICMT was made possible through a $3 million donation to the VGH/UBCH Foundation.
For more information about new health care services for women through the DTES 2nd Generation Strategy: