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photo courtesy of OPP Photographer Jayne Van De Veen

OPPA President Rob Stinson was honoured to attend in Shelburne Ontario Friday March 11, 2022 along with community partners, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Dufferin Detachment Commander Terry Ward and the Police Association of Ontario for a $4M funding announcement for expanding mobile crisis response teams and supporting additional mental health & addictions crisis workers.

The news release from the Solitor General can be read below. 

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Expanding Mobile Crisis Response Teams

$4 million investment for additional mental health and addictions crisis workers

March 11, 2022

Ministry of the Solicitor General

SHELBURNE — The Ontario government is improving public safety and supports for people in crisis by investing more than $4 million over two years to expand Mobile Crisis Response Teams. Police services in 28 communities will receive grant funding to increase their capacity to respond to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. The investment will enable police services to add mental health and addictions crisis workers to existing Mobile Crisis Response Teams and help ensure these specialized resources are available where and when needed.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams are best positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and to de-escalate situations that could pose a risk to public safety,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “At a time when police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in acute crisis situations, this new grant program will expand their ability to deliver appropriate services and underlines our government’s commitment to public safety.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers determine whether an individual in crisis should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and are equipped to provide connections to community programming and supports to address an individual’s physical and mental well-being over the longer term.

Our government is investing in the safety of our dedicated women and men on the frontlines, while ensuring those in crisis have easier access to high-quality mental health supports, where and when they need them,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Through this expansion of specialized resources, we are taking critical steps toward providing better supports for individuals living with mental health and addictions challenges, including supports to help reduce their interactions with police.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Dufferin County is among the 28 police services receiving grant funding. The detachment works in partnership with the Headwaters Health Care Centre to provide mobile crisis intervention and risk mitigation for mental health and addictions clients living in the community.

Since 2017, the OPP has observed a 42 per cent increase in mental health-related calls for service. Responding to 911 calls in tandem means that police and crisis workers can ensure everyone is safe while also providing necessary mental health support to the individual in crisis,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “On behalf of the OPP, I want to thank the Solicitor General and the Government of Ontario for this important and necessary investment in community safety and well-being.

The Mobile Crisis Response Teams Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and complements the government’s earlier commitments to protect people’s health and enhance mobile crisis intervention teams across the province to help build a province where all people feel safe and protected.

Click on image to register
Trigger Warning:
This session may contain discussion of suicide.
Please reach out to Encompas at 1-866-794-9117 if you need additional support at any time.

Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program

March 23rd, 2022 – 1000 – 1100 ET
Featuring Mary-Anne Bilodeau and Jacqueline Sbeyti from OPP Beyond the Blue

About the Speakers:
Mary-Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience. In 2017 her husband of 10 years, OPP Detective Constable Stephane Bilodeau died by suicide after a silent battle with mental illness.
 
Jacqueline grew up in a policing family and is married to a police officer. She has experienced life in a northern/remote community and understands the importance and value of a social network within ‘blue-line families’ when it comes to maintaining mental wellness and coping with the stresses inherent within First Responder relationships and families.

About the Session:
Please join us on Wednesday March 23rd from 10am – 11am for a conversation with Mary-Anne Bilodeau and Jacqueline Sbeyti from OPP Beyond the Blue. They are hoping to connect with OPP families who are looking for support, trusted resources, and a community of support. The session will discuss what led to Beyond the Blue and creating a chapter, benefits for families to connect with other families, why it’s important for First Responder family members to have an awareness of the resources available, supports that family members often need, and what to look for when seeking support.

Visit EncompasCare.ca to sign up for free and learn more.

Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.

All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca

OPPA #4 Branch Vice-President Dan Pyrah joins the 10-5 Podcast to talk about his journey to the OPP and the role of a Branch VP in the OPPA, including representing Members in matters with the Employer, staffing, scheduling changes and the OPPA Annual General Meeting.

Listen by clicking on the player above. Share with others to listen on the OPPA public website OPPA.ca/Media.

To listen on Apple, Google, Spotify and more click on the image above for all platform links.

If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.

Tuesday March 8, 2022 is International Women’s Day. It is an important day for all of us to celebrate.

On behalf of the OPP Association, I wish women everywhere Happy International Women’s Day. In particular I would like to thank my wife and daughters for their invaluable contribution every day to make our world a better place, and the women of the OPP who go above and beyond each and every day to serve and protect the citizens of our province.

Here at the OPP Association we are committed to a workplace and world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. We will do our part every day to have a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We are committed to a world where differences are valued, embraced and celebrated.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Break The Bias”.

I encourage everyone to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality today and every day.

Rob Stinson, President
Ontario Provincial Police Association

Learn More About Social Work Week 2022 Here

Social Work Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of social workers worldwide. Social Workers serve many roles in our society. They are mental health counsellors, problem solvers, educators and advocates for their clients and communities.

The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is proud to have a network of mental health professionals, including social workers, to support the mental health and wellness of OPPA members and their families.

The official hash tags for Social Work Week 2022 are #MoreThanEver and #SocialWorkWeek2022

The President of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), Mark Baxter, joins the podcast to talk about the 2022 PAO Police Hero of the Year Awards, including how members of the public can nominate someone for an award, the awards process, and OPPA members who won awards last year.

Listen on the OPPA public website on the player above or by clicking here for all episodes OPPA.ca/Media.

To listen on Apple, Google, Spotify and more click on the image above for all platform links. 

For additional information on 2022 PAO Police Hero of the Year Awards, please visit policehero.ca. Please note that nominations must come from a member of the public and nominations close March 14, 2022.

For more information on the PAO, please visit their website, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.

The OPP Association Head Office is flying the flag of Ukraine as a symbol of solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine during the unlawful invasion of Ukraine that started one week ago.

OPPA President Rob Stinson quietly raised a Ukrainian flag at the OPPA Head Office in Barrie late in the day on Wednesday March 2, 2022.

The OPP Association is proud to support the people of Ukraine in their fight for their homeland. We have many members of Ukrainian heritage. Many of our members have also been involved in UN Peacekeeping missions training police in the Ukraine. We have a long standing connection to the people of Ukraine. We thank the Consul General for the gift of the Ukrainian flag. We will fly it proudly, as we support our leaders in their efforts to restore peace to the people of Ukraine and the world.

The flag was gifted to the OPP Association from Amb. Olesksandr Shevchenko, Consul General of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto. The flag was presented to an OPPA staff member in Toronto minutes before Shevchenko joined in a Solidary March with thousands of citizens and dignitaries in Toronto on Sunday February 27, 2022. Rope grommets were hand sewn into the flag by the son of an OPPA staff member and the flag was delivered to OPPA Head Office. Our staff had previously tried to obtain a Ukrainian flag from our regular supplier, however Ukrainian flags were sold out with no supply expected for weeks. 

The OPP Association thanks all of the people involved in contributing to this special flag being proudly flown at our office.

As part of our ongoing series on retirement planning, OPP Association President Rob Stinson guest hosts the conclusion of “A Conversation on Retirement” with OPP Association Executive Office of Pension & Benefits, Lisa Hillstrom. Topics include early unreduced retirement dates, when to receive Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits, insured benefits and insurances in retirement, and termination payments at retirement.

Listen on the player below:

To listen on Apple, Google, Spotify and more click on the image above for all platform links.

The Ontario Pension Board can be reached at 1-800-668-6203, clientservice@opb.ca or visit their website.

For additional information on the OPPA’s Pre-Retirement Seminars, please visit our website (log in required).

Service Canada can be reached through their website by clicking here or by phone at 1-800-622-6232.

Ontario Shared Services (OSS) Contact Centre – 1-866-979-9300 or askOSS@ontario.ca – Note – Ask to speak with the Benefit Advisor for Retirement Planning Purposes.

Target Benefit Administrators can be reached at 1-888-660-6055 or by clicking here.

If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.

As unprovoked military action was taken overnight against the people and sovereign nation of Ukraine, the OPP Association stands with the country of Ukraine and the people of Ukraine.

We are thinking of our very own members of Ukrainian ancestry, and all Canadians with Ukrainian roots. Many of our members are of Ukrainian heritage, and an number of our members have been directly involved in peacekeeping and training with the police and military in Ukraine.  

Our thoughts are with our leaders, as the world works to come to a peaceful resolution of this hostile aggression. These times may be very triggering for our members and their families. We encourage our members to reach out 24/7 to the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program by calling 1-866-794-9117 or online at  EncompasCare.ca.

Rob Stinson
President
Ontario Provincial Police Association

ALAViDA, a trusted and vetted provider for substance use treatment for the Encompas Mental Health and Wellness Program, will be hosting a live webinar on today (February 22nd) about Mindfulness and Healthy Habits with Dr. Terry-Lynn MacKay, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Clinician, and Clinical Director of ALAViDA.

Mindfulness can promote better sleep, mood, and feelings of well being. It’s a supportive tool that can enhance your productivity improve your communication, increase connection, and promote intentional living. Plus, it’s simple!

To register for this webinar, . visit . A recording will be available afterwards at this link: try.alavida.co/encompas.

To ensure your anonymity, this ALAViDA webinar will not enable attendees to have the option of turning on their camera or microphone. They will be able to ask questions anonymously through text Q&A, and they won’t be able to see the name of other participants. Host, Dr. MacKay, will answer questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant.