Moving Forward Together: Improving Access to Services for Vulnerable People

Over the past quarter, two Moving Forward Together community clinics, held in the Edmundston and Grand-Sault regions, provided a range of essential services to people experiencing homelessness or living in situations of significant vulnerability.

On site, participants were able to access health and social services in one location and receive support navigating government processes such as filing income tax returns or replacing essential documents.

The initiative was jointly coordinated by Service Canada, the Northwest Regional Service Commission, and Vitalité Health Network Public Health, with support from many partners. These community clinics help reduce administrative barriers, strengthen access to public services, and promote greater social inclusion.

Several other Vitalité Health Network teams also played a key role, including:

• Public Health nurses, to provide vaccination services;
• Public Health dietitians, to offer nutrition counselling;
• The Community Mental Health team, to provide psychosocial support;
• The Addictions Treatment service, to support people facing substance use issues;
• Primary health care nurse practitioners, to conduct clinical assessments.

Thanks to the mobilization of municipal partners, the private sector, and the community, additional resources were also made available to meet immediate needs, including transportation for some individuals, healthy snacks and hot meals, pet food, warm clothing items, and backpacks containing hygiene and safety supplies.

The Network thanks all those involved in supporting people living in vulnerable situations across the province.