Taking Action
From consultation to coordinated action — how SCAA is making a difference in Saskatoon.
Steps Taken
The SCAA moved quickly from consultation to concrete action, establishing working groups and launching targeted initiatives within months of formation.
Consultation Phase
One-on-one meetings were held with 34 individuals from 28 Saskatoon agencies that deal with issues relating to community safety and well-being. The level of interest throughout all the meetings was a strong mandate for creating an alliance.
Defining Priorities
All of the groups met again to refine the SCAA mandate, identify priorities, and identify the priority issues that a co-ordinated approach should address first. Clear consensus emerged around crystal meth and housing as the top two priorities.
Establishing Working Groups
SCAA defined its top two priorities — dealing with the escalating crystal meth issue and determining strategies to increase the level of housing options available to those in need. Two working groups were established to lead these efforts.
Partnership Group Formation
The Partnership Group, to operate in support of the SCAA group, met and formed a structure that will provide needed assistance on initiatives designed by SCAA to deal with crystal meth and housing options.
Launching Concrete Actions
Actions were launched on the crystal meth issue — including a training program for staff safety and a detailed service access mapping process — and on the housing availability issue, including evaluating managed alcohol programs and coordinating housing referral services.
Active Focus Areas
Crystal Meth Response
Coordinating a city-wide response to the methamphetamine crisis, including staff training programs, service access mapping, and inter-agency information sharing to support frontline workers and those in crisis.
Housing Solutions
Evaluating housing options including managed alcohol programs, coordinating housing referral services, and advocating for increased availability of safe, supportive housing for Saskatoon's most vulnerable residents.