Leeds Grenville gets $3.6M for mental health and addictions services

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Leeds and Grenville partners have secured $3.6 million in funding from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to expand community-led initiatives that address substance use and addiction.

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The Summit Integrated Care initiative (Summit) offers a single point of access to health-care and referral services through a multidisciplinary team of community paramedics, health system navigators, and a nurse practitioner. 

Operating under a harm-reduction model, Summit provides flexible service hours, including evenings and weekends, so participants can have access to resources and education that support stabilization, safety, and recovery.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing the overdose crisis, and no community can solve it alone,” said federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel in a prepared statement. “By investing in community-driven, inclusive, and evidence-based initiatives, we are making sure people have access to the care and support they need.”

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Day-to-day Summit operations are being led by the Leeds Grenville Community Paramedic Program – Summit Integrated Outreach Team. 

Southeast Public Health will oversee financial management and data reporting through March 2028.

“The Summit program is designed to support harm reduction in the realm of education on overdose prevention strategies and personal safety, withdrawal and treatment supports, supply of biohazard disposal/containers (sharps disposal), clean equipment supplies, drug testing, medication assisted withdrawal treatment, STI testing and prevention, Naloxone supply, basic needs supplies (hygiene supplies, minor wound care supplies, nutrition) in support of general health promotion, direct connection to primary care through a nurse practitioner, acute wound care, supportive connection to social services and housing, public health promotion and anti-stigma education,” officials at the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville said in a statement of their own.

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According to the United Counties, since its launch in April 2025, Summit has enrolled 239 participants, with numbers continuing to grow through referrals and proactive outreach.

The counties add that services specifically exclude any safe consumption sites or safe supply, and the associated contribution agreement does not support or allow for such services.

“The program is actively collaborating with the soon-to-be operational HART Hub in Brockville and area, and ongoing planning is in place to support outreach services to support the positive potential of future HART Hub services,” said counties officials in their statement.

“The program also works in collaboration with the joint UCLG Supportive Cabins initiative to ensure additional supports are in place for successful connection, placement and ongoing access to services.”

Counties officials add that the program works closely with community partners to ensure collaboration and care are delivered where individuals need it most.

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