STAR Program Helping Reduce Emergency Calls & Improve Safety in Grey-Bruce
STAR Program Helping Reduce Emergency Calls & Improve Safety in Grey-Bruce
Grey and Bruce counties report that the collaborative program is helping reduce emergency calls and save public funds by providing immediate support to individuals in high-risk situations.
A local program aimed at preventing emergencies before they happen is making a big difference in Grey-Bruce, according to media releases received from both counties.
The Situation Table for Acutely Elevated Risk (STAR), which brings together over 35 partners from police, health services, and community organizations, is working to reduce the risk of harm for people in urgent situations. The counties report that in 2023, STAR helped reduce emergency 911 calls and saved thousands of dollars in public resources.
One key example involved an individual who had made 53 emergency calls in just 2.5 months. After STAR stepped in and provided support, the number of calls dropped to just 6 in the following 2.5 months—a decrease of 89%.
By connecting this person with the right health and social services, STAR improved their well-being and saved more than $15,000 in police and EMS costs. This is just one of the 25 situations STAR helped resolve last year.
What is STAR?
STAR is a team made up of professionals from different services—like the police, mental health organizations, and social workers—who come together to quickly intervene when someone is at high risk of serious harm.
These risks might involve things like mental health crises, addiction, domestic violence, or homelessness. Instead of handling the problem through one organization, STAR combines the expertise of all its members to find the best solution.
How Does STAR Protect Privacy?
When STAR members meet to discuss cases, they follow strict rules to protect people’s privacy. The program uses guidelines created by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to ensure that personal information is shared only when absolutely necessary and handled with care.
Part of a Bigger Plan
STAR is a part of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP) for Grey-Bruce, which focuses on preventing problems like crime, poverty, and poor health before they happen.
This plan involves 78 partners across the region who work together to create safer, healthier communities by addressing the root causes of these issues.
According to both counties, the success of STAR shows how a collaborative, proactive approach can prevent emergencies, reduce pressure on emergency services, and improve overall community well-being in Grey-Bruce.