Bruce County launches Community Outreach And Support Team (COAST)

Bruce County is expanding the services and supports that it offers residents with the launch of a Community Outreach And Support Team (COAST). Building off the success of Bruce County Outreach, COAST is a mobile multidisciplinary team.

The team will provide care and support to residents needing assistance with mental health, addictions, and housing needs. COAST will operate throughout Bruce County, including in our most rural communities.

Funding for COAST is through a contribution agreement with Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund. The funding targets programs for prevention of opioid overdoses and harm reduction access.
“COAST offers us the opportunity to build on the great work of Bruce County Outreach, while expanding supports to the most vulnerable members of our community. Leveraging strategic partnerships and collaborating on innovative local ideas is proving that we can reduce barriers to care and improve access to supports in our communities”, says Steve Schaus, director and chief of paramedic services.

Partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce, COAST will consist of a Harm Reduction Counsellor and Peer Worker, as well as a Community Support Coordinator from Bruce County Human Services, and a Community Paramedic from Bruce County Paramedic Services. By offering low-barrier access to mental health and addictions supports, healthcare, and social services, COAST seeks to expand the reach and capacity of Bruce County Outreach with this dedicated team.
COAST will:

• track local drug poisonings and provide targeted intervention with support from community partners;
• host routine pop-up style outreach events;
• assist in making contact and providing care for the underhoused population;
• and engage with the broader public on harm reduction awareness. 

“Addressing complex social challenges requires innovation and strong local collaboration,” commented Ian Hanney, director of human services. “Through COAST, we are expanding our ability to reach individuals who need assistance. This is another important step toward improving outcomes for some of Bruce County’s most vulnerable residents through trusted local partnerships.” 

Chief Executive Officer with CMHA Grey Bruce Stephen Musehl echoed Schaus and Hanney, saying, “CMHA Grey Bruce is proud to partner with Bruce County on the Community Outreach and Support Team. This investment will help bring low-barrier mental health, addictions, peer support and social service supports directly to people where they are, especially those who face the greatest barriers to care. By working together through mobile outreach, we can build trust, reduce substance-use related harms, and support safer, healthier communities across Bruce County.”

“Addressing the drug and overdose crisis is complex and requires us all to work together to save lives. Community-led solutions like COAST bring mental health, substance use, housing, peer support and harm reduction services directly to residents. This work will reduce barriers, strengthen local partnerships and support safer, healthier communities,” said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

Alex Ruff, MP Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound, also commented, “Bruce County’s rural communities need solutions that recognize the realities of distance, transportation barriers, and limited access to services. The COAST program is an important example of how federal funding can support local partners in delivering mobile, low-barrier care. By expanding access to mental health, addictions, housing, peer support, and harm reduction services, this initiative will help strengthen community-based support across the region.”  
COAST is now available in local communities across Bruce County and will run until March 31, 2027. More information is available on our Get Support webpage.