New Service Launched to Assist Individuals Isolating with COVID-19

Timmins, ON – Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) and the City of Timmins have teamed up with 211 Ontario – Northern Region to offer a new service for Cochrane District. The goal of the service is to provide support for individuals who are required to isolate, but may not have the social supports in place to do so effectively.

Beginning today, individuals identified as COVID positive or who have been identified as high-risk close contacts and are required to isolate, can call 2-1-1 for help to receive groceries or essential household items, medication delivery, mental health services, and more.

As COVID-19 cases surged within the region, finding a solution to allow for safe and comfortable patient isolation was a priority, but with that came the concern of how to manage food distribution and essential services for those in need of assistance.

“211 presents an ideal solution,” says Carole Duguay, Manager of Community Services, CDSSAB. “The system is designed around client and issue management and can quickly provide an appropriate response. Our partner organizations like the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) were already addressing some of these concerns, but by centralizing it through 211 Ontario, we’re freeing up time for our frontline response and better coordinating services.”

211 is a community and social services helpline available to the public that can be accessed by phone, email, and online at https://211ontario.ca. Its purpose is to help individuals navigate and connect with a variety of social services that deal with a variety of concerns from access to health care, emergency crisis, family services and more.