An innovative outreach program aimed at helping people experiencing homelessness across Chatham-Kent is making a difference and it has national recognition to prove it.
Pathway2Care (P2C), led by Chatham-Kent (CK) EMS, has received the 2026 Paramedic Chiefs of Canada Award of Excellence for Innovative Treatment and Technology this past week in Calgary.
The collaborative model provides coordinated outreach, healthcare navigation, and support for individuals aged 16 and older experiencing homelessness.
It connects people directly to health, housing, and social services, helping them access care in the right place and avoid crisis situations.
CK EMS said the program addresses a growing need and is having a "real impact" in the community addressing individuals with significant health and mental health challenges, a cycle of houselessness and frequent hospital visits, and the inability to follow treatment plans after hospital discharge.
In just its first two years, CK EMS reported Pathway2Care has completed 955 patient assessments through community and encampment outreach, achieved a 77 per cent reduction in 9-1-1 calls among clients, diverted 132 emergency department visits, and made 292 referrals to housing, health, and social supports.
The team made up of a paramedic, a housing stability worker, and a peer-to-peer leader was assembled after local partners raised concerns about the growing population experiencing houselessness in Chatham-Kent putting an increased strain on healthcare and housing services.
"These discussions led to the formation of the Pathway2Care Team, with a primary objective of improving the health and well being of individuals experiencing houselessness. By addressing health inequities and tackling the root causes of illness, the P2C team focuses on delivering comprehensive support to this vulnerable population in Chatham-Kent, " said the CK Ontario Health Team (CK OHT).
The CK OHT noted the number of individuals experiencing houselessness has increased by 171 per cent since 2019 and the affordable housing crisis has intensified, with wait lists at an all-time high, leaving many without stable shelter.
Many individuals cycling through emergency rooms and social services are unable to secure permanent housing, leading to worsening health outcomes and increased system strain, said CK OHT.
"Early exploratory work highlighted the importance of building a trusting relationship between the P2C Team and community members, recognizing that meeting people where they are both physically and mentally and empowering them to take a lead in their own care are crucial to the program’s success," added CK OHT.
During outreach sessions, the team regularly assesses service delivery and data collection to improve engagement with community members experiencing houselessness. Feedback from these sessions is then analyzed to identify areas for improvement, such as the effectiveness of support services and the number of emergency department diversions.
The program is built on local partnerships, including the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Reach Out Chatham-Kent, CMHA Lambton Kent, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, and the CK Ontario Health Team.
