Cranbrook city council has given their backing to a grant application meant to help fund a planned Situation Table.
The grant application is seeking $57,000 from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to help cover training, technology, community engagement, and operation expenses.
Mayor Wayne Price explained what the planned Situation Table will do when it becomes a reality.
“It’s really a collaboration between the City of Cranbrook’s Social Development Coordinator and the RCMP Mental Health Leason,” said Price. “They would work in coordination with the municipal, provincial and federal governments and all the non-profit agencies who are dealing with all the social issues we have in town right now.”
City officials said the Situation Table is meant to ease pressure off emergency services by helping out vulnerable residents in the community.
“A Situation Table is a strategic alliance of human services, guided by common principles and processes in order to mitigate risk situations in a timely manner, usually within 24-48 hours,” said city officials. “The term ‘Table’ highlights that it is a meeting, which convenes regularly, with police and other human service professionals from a variety of organizations.”
Price said this approach to cooperation and assistance could help improve outcomes for residents in tough situations.
“The table will get the parties together for regular communication and collaboration between the different services that are out there and will decrease the duplication,” said Price.