Since 2002, Ontario has permitted bridges and other highway structures to be dedicated in memory of fallen police officers. Seventy-six provincial highway structures have been dedicated to fallen police officers to date. This Spring two bridges have been dedicated. Our OPPA Board of Directors were honoured to be in attendance at both.
May 1, 2024 at Elk Lake Bridge Dedication (photo Jayne van der Veen)
On May 1, 2024 OPPA Director Dave Dube and OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique were in attendance at Elk Lake, Ontario where a bridge was dedicated to OPP Provincial Constable Vaughn B. McKay who died in the line of duty from injuries sustained from an on-duty vehicle collision that occurred in July 1973. Constable McKay died on December 20th, 1973 as a result of complications from his injuries sustained in the crash. At the time of his death Constable McKay was married with one son. A second son was born in 1974 after his death. His widow, Darlene McKay attended the ceremony and fondly recalled growing up with her high school sweetheart, describing him as “a great guy, super sports person of very good character, very funny, a fellow who would tease all the time.”
Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique stated, “Provincial Constable McKay will continue to be remembered for the profound sacrifice that he made.”
Dave Dube stated that McKay was “a Hero In Life, Not Death.”
A CTV Northern story was published online complete with video reporting on the event.
On May 3, 2024 a bridge in Peterborough, Ontario was officially dedicated in memory of OPP Provincial Constable Norman F. Maker who was tragically killed from a gunshot wound on May 3, 1928. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Muriel, and their two daughters: three-year-old Norma and three-month-old Connie. Many family members attended the event to honour Constable Maker.
OPPA Vice President David Sabatini was honoured to be in attendance in Peterbourough at the event along with OPPA 8 Branch President Rob Mahaffy. In a statement about the two bridge dedication events this spring Sabatini stated,
“The OPPA now has 113 police officers on the Honour Roll who have died in the line of duty. We never forget their service and sacrifice. Constables McKay and Maker died while honourably serving the citizens of the Province of Ontario. We will always be remembered them as Heroes In Life, Not Death.”
OPP Provincial Constable Norman F. Maker Bridge Dedication (photo Jayne van der Veen)
Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique stated, “The dedication and commitment of Ontario’s police officers to their communities is exemplary. This bridge stands as a testament to honour Provincial Constable Maker’s memory. We vow to never forget his sacrifice, and this tribute will serve as a perpetual reminder of his legacy.”
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner stated, “Today we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by Constable Norman F. Maker. Each day, police officers across Ontario put themselves in harm’s way to serve and safeguard their communities. We recognize and honour this steadfast commitment to duty and service.”
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation stated, “It is only fitting this bridge will now be a tribute to a hero who served his community. We will always remember Constable Maker for his selflessness and the example he set.”
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is one-stop approach to mental healthcare that provides OPPA members with timely access to confidential, effective, and safe mental health support and services along a continuum of care including: mental health counselling, psychological assessments or psychiatric consultations, and referrals to intensive treatment programs including residential programs. Over the coming weeks we will profile some of these residential treatment programs.
The team at Encompas follow a thorough, standardized vetting process for all the treatment programs that it refers to, ensuring connection to safe and attuned services based on unique and individual needs. Many have First Responder-specific expertise and treatment.
When it comes to taking time away from work and family to receive treatment, attending a residential treatment program is a significant and courageous commitment, and for many, an important step on their journey to healing and wellness. Our Care Management Team is here to support you on this journey – please reach out to the Encompas Care Management Team 24/7/365 and they will assist you in this process of connecting with the treatment that is right for you. 1-866-794-9117 or encompascare.ca.
Residential treatment programs require participants to engage in an immersive experience towards mental and physical wellness. Support and care can be offered for a variety of challenges including trauma, substance use/addiction, behavioural addiction, and/or mood disorders that impact a person’s ability to thrive in their daily life at home and/or at work. Treatment programs may be available within a person’s community or may require travel to facilitate access to residential care.
Residential treatment programs offer specialized and intensive therapeutic interventions, structure, a daily routine, and consistency – all of which support positive change and growth. This type of treatment approach offers a safe environment and supervision from a team of professionals, often from a variety of disciplines, who work collaboratively to coordinate a customized plan of care.
The Encompas program adheres to a thorough, standardized vetting process for all the treatment programs to which it refers. As a result, these programs offer safe and attuned services to support our Members’ unique and specific needs.
A vetted and accredited provider, Bellwood Health Services in Toronto, has been offering inpatient (residential) and outpatient treatment programming for over 35 years, in support of individuals experiencing PTSD and trauma-related disorders, plus addiction, mental health disorders, eating disorders, OCD, and concurrent challenges. Their treatment includes evidence-based approaches, peer support groups, aftercare, and a family program to support recovery. There is also an Onsite Detox capability. Depending on the program, inpatient programs range between 7 (seven) and 12 (twelve) weeks. These programs include members of the general population.
To learn more about Bellwood Health Services and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers, available 24/7/365, who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted accredited provider, Gateway Recovery Centre, treats addiction, trauma, and mental health for military, veterans, First Responders, and frontline healthcare workers. This program offers support to First Responders exclusively. Their expertise includes treating substance use disorders and trauma programs, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries (OSI) with or without a concurrent addiction disorder. Depending upon need, the inpatient programs are either 7 or 9 weeks. Medical detox is available onsite. Aftercare for up to one (1) year is also included for all eligible patients who complete an inpatient program, and they offer a Family Program to help loved ones better understand addiction, trauma, and mental illness.
Gateway also offers an intensive online outpatient program.
To learn more about Gateway Recovery Centre and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted accredited provider, GreeneStone, was founded in 2011 and is part of the CATC (Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres) national support network for substance use disorder — the largest in Canada. They are located on a beautiful property in Muskoka and provide treatment for addiction, concurrent mental health conditions and provide supervised detox for a variety of substances. Master’s-level therapists provide custom-tailored one-on-one and group therapy, alongside family supports and a full suite of services that promote successful recovery. They also offer a new general mental health support program. GreeneStone has a military stream for group treatment; however, the facility treats the general population.
Depending upon client needs, programs are either 30, 60 or 90 days in length. Their expertise includes treating substance use disorders and trauma, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries (OSI) with or without a concurrent addiction disorder. Medical detox is available onsite. Treatment may include a psychiatric assessment, individual and group therapy, educational sessions, spiritual therapy including a sweat lodge, relapse prevention and coaching, and wellness activities. Core modalities include CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Humanistic and other approaches.
Aftercare programs are available for life including 4-6 individual counselling sessions, and ongoing group treatment within the Recovery Alumni Program. They also provide Sober Companion Services – live-in support to provide one-on-one assistance to help clients move through difficulties as they arise.
CATC employs individuals in recovery and/or with lived experience, these roles include Recovery Coaches and our Recovery Coordinators. The vision behind this philosophy is to have those with lived expertise as well as professional qualifications to ensure our programming and approach are as effective as possible for all the clients we support.
To learn more about GreeneStone and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
As a vetted and accredited provider, Homewood Health Centre, provides a range of residential programs for addiction, mood disorders, eating disorders, and trauma. Onsite medical detox is available. They also offer treatment programs for uniformed professionals, including the nine (9) week Guardians Program, designed for First Responders, military, and veterans who have experienced unique challenges. Homewood’s evidence-based treatment recognizes the unique needs of these individuals, including exposure to trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction, and provides a safe forum for discussing issues that may be difficult to disclose in the presence of civilians. Those attending the Guardian’s Program would access shared common areas. Depending on the program, inpatient treatment ranges from 6 (six) to 9 (nine) weeks. Programs are co-ed and an Aftercare Program provides 52 (fifty-two) weeks of group-based recovery management to further develop relapse prevention strategies.
To learn more about Homewood Health Centre and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
Renascent is a vetted and accredited provider and has been a national leader in abstinence-based treatment for substance use disorders since 1970. They offer gender-specific inpatient treatment in four centers in Ontario, using evidence-based and trauma-informed care that addresses concurrent mental health issues. Their abstinence-based model integrates 12-step facilitation with other best practices in clinical and medical approaches and offers a range of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness principles, to provide a holistic approach to lifelong recovery. Inpatient programs range in length from 28-42 days. Many of the staff bring lived experience with substance use challenges. Programs are not First Responder-specific. Aftercare is available for 20 (twenty) weeks after discharge.
To learn more about Renascent and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted and accredited First Responder treatment provider, The Stable Grounds, offers a range of treatment options and focused care on a sprawling yet intimate farm in Rodney, Ontario. Their residential programs provide comprehensive treatment to address the identified challenges and allows guests to work through the healing journey without interruption and with ongoing support. They recognize the importance of helping those who provide essential services to others and offer priority treatment to support the recovery process through a unique range of therapeutic options. Cohorts may be mixed or gender-specific depending on availability.
To learn more about The Stable Grounds and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
A vetted and accredited treatment provider, Trafalgar offers addiction treatment in a serene and home-like residential setting, focusing on the treatment of underlying mental health issues within a 45-day intensive inpatient program. This facility, Canada’s largest support network for addictions, provides customized therapeutic addiction treatment for substance abuse and process addictions, and concurrent mental health disorders like PTSD and depression. Clients receive one-on-one and group therapy with Master’s level therapists, along with a full suite of supportive services. In addition, Trafalgar specializes in supporting First Responders, military personnel and the victim’s services population, offering an exclusive First Responder group programming within their broader addictions and mental health program. Clients benefit from ongoing support with a 2 (two) month aftercare program.
Trafalgar also offers medically supervised detox services at its sister facility, Neworld Medical Detox. Clients enjoy seamless transportation and case management between these two sites.
Trafalgar employs individuals in recovery and/or with lived experience. The vision behind this philosophy is to have those with lived expertise as well as professional qualifications to ensure our programming and approach are as effective as possible for all the clients supported.
To learn more about Trafalgar and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
Wounded Warriors Canada, utilizes clinical best practices and evidence-based care to create an environment of compassion, resiliency, and hope for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Their team of accredited professionals provides a range of group-based therapy programs benefiting individuals, couples, and children affected by the impacts of operational stress injuries. Programs include a 3–4-day Trauma Resiliency Program as well as a 5 (five) day couples course called COPE (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday) and a 4 (four) day Couples Resiliency Program to assist couples impacted by PTOS and a Surviving Spouses Program for those who have lost their partners in the line of duty or by suicide.
To learn more about Wounded Warriors Canada and other providers that Encompas has vetted, please visit: encompascare.ca or call to speak with one of our Care Managers available 24/7/365 who can help guide you with your care plan.
If you or a family member need mental health support, please visit encompascare.ca or call 1-866-794-9117.