Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO)
About the CHO Program The Community Homes for Opportunity Program offers more than just a place to live. It provides supportive housing with 24-hour supervision in a group home setting for individuals with serious mental health issues. CHO staff will ensure that each client’s unique needs and choices are assessed and addressed.The CHO Program in Huron Perth is accountable to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and services are provided by and administered through CMHA-HP. Homes within the CHO Program are independently owned and operated, however they are inspected annually by Fire, Public Health, and the CMHA staff. The ministry will then issue licenses based on the CHO Program Manager/Agencies recommendations. The CHO homes are in both a rural and urban area in Perth County located in St. Mary’s Ontario.
Referral Eligibility
•Minimum age of 18 years
•Diagnosis of a serious mental illness
•Voluntary agreement to enter the CHO Program
•Compliant with prescribed medication and follow-up
•Not abusing alcohol, drugs, or other substances
•Not requiring complex care normally associated with Long-Term Care facilities
•Medically stable
•Must be followed by a psychiatrist
•No recent history of uncontrolled violence that poses a safety risk to others
•No history of behaviors that poses a serious fire hazard
•Priority will be given to clients currently in hospital or individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
View the CHO Information Package
Case Management Clinics
Welcome to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Huron Perth Branch’s Case Management program! To assist you in your recovery goals that you have identified in your Application for Service, or with our Intake Worker, you have the option to access our weekly Case Management Clinics.
Case Management clinics are offered at the following sites.
Clients are encouraged to drop in for supports.
Every WEDNESDAY from 1:00pm-4:00pm
STRATFORD CLINIC: CMHA HP office (540 Huron Street, Stratford ON. N5A 5T9)
The 1St WEDNESDAY of each month
LISTOWEL CLINIC: North Perth Library (260 Main Street West, Listowel ON. N4W 1A1 – upper level program room)
The 3rd WEDNESDAY of each month
WINGHAM CLINIC: Centre for Employment & Learning (152 Josephine Street, Wingham ON. N0G 2W0 – upper level boardroom)
Every THURSDAY from 1:00pm-4:00pm
GODERICH CLINIC: CMHA HP office (52 Newgate Street, Goderich ON. N7A 1P1)
The 1st and 3rd THURSDAY of each month
SEAFORTH CLINIC: CMHA HP office (92 Goderich Street West, Seaforth ON. N0K 1W0)
What do our drop-in clinics involve?
Brief time spent with a one-to-one Case Manager
Information on resources available to you
Education and tools to support you with your mental health concerns
Assistance with phone calls, applications, and referrals that may contribute to your recovery goals
You can contact our office at 1-888-875-2944 ext. 0 (speak with reception) if you have further questions.
View the Case Management Flyer.
Case Management
- community connections
- housing
- advocacy
- income and budgeting
- support in treatment plans
- family relationships
- education about mental illness
- connection to drug and alcohol addiction treatment
Peer Support
- social and recreation programs and activities
- peer friendships
- one on one support with a peer mentor
Education
- workshops and presentations
- books, videos and brochures
- speakers and promotion
Family Support
- individual support to family members
- monthly support group for family members
Supported Housing
- subsidized permanent rental housing
- transitional housing
- assistance with housing searches and applications
Court Support
- assistance for people with a mental illness in conflict with the law
- attending court
- court diversion/pre-charge diversion
- release from detention
- consultation with others in the justice system
How to obtain Case Management from CMHA?
CMHA services are available to anyone 16 years of age or older who is experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Case Management provides ongoing support to stabilize mental health, achieve personal goals and improve a person’s quality of life. Case Management may be provided for a number of weeks or months, and in some cases several years. The length of time that a person receives services is determined by the needs of each person. Being accepted in the Case Management Program is a prerequisite to obtain subsidized supported housing. Assignment to a Case Manager generally takes place within two or three weeks after contact with the CMHA office. Support is available to you as soon as you contact our office.
When you call the CMHA office you will be asked to complete an application for service. We require some basic information about you and your situation. Another agency may also make a referral on your behalf.
Once you provide this information, you will be contacted by the Intake Co-ordinator to schedule a personal meeting. We will meet with you in the community in which you live. We will discuss what mental health supports you require and goals you hope to accomplish. CMHA works in collaboration with other agencies to meet your needs. If you wish to enter the Case Management Program and meet the criteria for eligibility, you will be assigned a Case Manager who will begin to work with you during a regular schedule of appointments. Appointments may take place in your home, a community location or a CMHA office close to your home.
Applications For Service
If you have a mental illness and would like help in improving your quality of life through CMHA HP services, please complete the appropriate form(s) and return by mail, fax or email. To apply for Transitional Housing please contact Cynthia Miller, Transitional Housing Coordinator at 519-273-1391 x 308 or cynthiamiller@cmha-hp.on.ca.