Sophia House
May 1, 2012
ICCS Announces The Closure Of Sophia House
We are sad to announce that Sophia House will close its doors on May 31st 2012.
The decision was made after a careful assessment of the program at the financial year end.
A portion of funding for Sophia House comes from the Ministry of Social Development and is tied directly to client stays. Under this funding model as client placements drop, so does income. Occupancy rates for the program were significantly below sustainable levels for part of the year, leading to a funding deficit. Restructuring of the program to widen the client base, while helpful, did not fully compensate for the loss of revenue.
After discussions with our main funding agency, the Vancouver Island Health Authority, we together agreed that the program does not fit those clients with the most acute needs in the community and therefore the program will be curtailed.
ICCS recognizes the ongoing need for supportive recovery on Vancouver Island and remains open to opportunities for creating such programs through a variety of funding options.
The program did see invaluable successes for individuals who stayed at Sophia House and we extend our heartfelt thanks to our Sophia House staff, our community partners, and our funding agencies. It was an honour to work with you on this project. We look forward to new opportunities to support and encourage recovery and mental health in our community.
Below is the description of services Sophia House will continue to provide untill it closes it's doors at the end of the month.
5 Supportive Recovery beds in Nanaimo, BC
This supportive recovery residential program for women provides individualized personal plans that map each client’s unique needs and goals. All clients have gone through a social or medical detoxification process from alcohol and/or drugs and may or may not have a co-occurring mental illness.
In house support workers encourage residents in their choice to live a full life without substance misuse. Individual work follows an integrated curriculum of life skills, personal development, and leisure exploration.
Clinical support is provided by health authority case workers and addiction counsellors. Each client follows an addiction treatment plan designed by her and her addictions counsellor.
The house philosophy is based on choice, abstinence, personal empowerment, work/contribution, community, and the biopsycho- social-spiritual model of development. The length of stay is to a maximum of 60 days.
Referrals
Referrals to Sophia House are made through Nanaimo Mental Health and Addiction Services. Admission must be made as part of a person's active recovery plan, in consultation with a Vancouver Island Health Authority Case Manager or Addictions Counsellor. Members of the public interested in being referred to Sophia House should contact their Case Manager or Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Mental Health and Addiction Services can be accessed in Nanaimo through Adult Community Support Services at Brooks Landing. The walk in crisis counselling clinic is located on the back of the building directly off of Departure Bay Road. The address is: #201 - 2000 Island Highway.