Riverside, CMHA team up

The boards of directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association Fort Frances Branch (CMHA FF) and Riverside Health Care (RHC) have unanimously approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The MOU was selected to demonstrate each organization’s commitment to open communication, information sharing and collaborative efforts to improve access to the mental health system in the area.

CMHA FF and RHC have developed and maintained a strong working partnership over many years to enhance the continuum of mental health care for the residents of Rainy River District.
Together, the organizations offer an impressive range of mental health care programs and services including case management, housing, treatment and counselling, public education, health promotion, community development, information and referral, outreach, older adult, court support and other important support services.
Together, the partners share the vision of a client- and patient-centred, integrated delivery model in the community.
“CMHA FF and Riverside have a long history of working together to serve Rainy River residents requiring mental health care,” said CMHA Fort Frances president Trudy McCormick.
“This forward-looking memorandum of understanding is a pro-active measure by both organizations aimed specifically at enhancing the continuum of mental health services available in the community,” she added.
“This review aligns with Ontario’s Action Plan For Health Care to develop a patient-centred system that is better integrated and allows people to move more seamlessly from one care setting to another and the North West LHIN’s ten-year Health Services Blueprint that aims to develop an integrated delivery network in Rainy River District,” said Michelle Marinaro, chair of the Riverside Health Care board of directors.
Both partners acknowledge that this collaboration is a best practice which must be continued into the future for the benefit of all who use these important mental health services.
A copy of the signed Memorandum of Understanding is available on both organizations’ websites:
•Riverside Health Care: www.riversidehealthcare.ca
•Canadian Mental Health Association Fort Frances: www.cmhaff.ca