Abstract
Background: Place-based partnerships serving the most vulnerable youth ages 6-24 in our community that have complex health and social needs and are experiencing homelessness.
Approach: The Whole of Community System Response initiative for Health and Homelessness in London, Ontario, is a locally-driven transformational effort. The Hubs implementation plan was developed by over 200 individuals from 70 organizations across various sectors, including community health, social services, healthcare institutions, education, emergency services, business, government, and more. Through extensive community engagement, which garnered thousands of inputs, the initiative was shaped by the voices of Londoners, particularly those with lived experience. This collaborative process led to the establishment of a hub by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) on London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) hospital property and is now the partnership is extending beyond hospital grounds to other YOU locations. By co-locating expertise from both organizations, marginalized youth gain access to tailored medical, social, and housing support, fostering progress towards a fulfilling life aligned with their values. Using Kotter change management principles and user-centric design methodology, our partnership evolves from pilots of exploration and mobilization into operation this Fall 2024.
Results: Through our ) current exploration and pilot of a place-based partnership improving access to tailored and specialized mental health therapy in the community and 2) the planning and construction of a youth homeless hub on hospital property, we expect to facilitate person-centered care, accessibility, and address barriers to care while enhancing health equity. This partnership promotes better coordination and delivery of services across the health and social sectors, fostering collaboration and optimizing each other's resources while extending impact.
Implications: This oral paper will generate valuable insights into the intricacies of place-based partnerships, informing policy, legal, communication, and community engagement strategies. These efforts aim to address the unique needs of youth while enhancing collaboration between organizations and sectors, ultimately contributing to more effective and sustainable solutions in the community.