Community Safety & Well-Being Plan
The Townships of Asphodel-Norwood, Cavan Monaghan, and Otonabee-South Monaghan have partnered together to develop a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP).
A CSWBP is the result of when local governments, police, organizations, and residents discuss local issues and then commit to working together in new ways to create a safer, healthier communities. The intention for this plan is to redirect local efforts and investments from short-term, reactive, 'band-aid' responses to long-term, preventative, and risk mitigating social development.
The ultimate goal is to foster sustainable communities where inhabitants feel safe, have a sense of belonging, and access to services; and where their needs for education, health, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression can be met.
The Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan’s Community Safety & Well-Being Plan was adopted by Council at the June 20th, 2022 Council Meeting.
We would like to thank everyone for their invaluable commitment to this project as we are now one step closer to putting our collaborative vision into action.
The goal of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is to achieve a sustainable community where everyone feels safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate, and where individuals and families are able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression.
Our plan provides the framework for promoting safety and well-being while setting local priorities and establishing framework for decision-making. It also recognizes that the work extends beyond just policing to address complex social issues that are often contributors to crime and poor health. While many of the identified priority areas lie outside the scope of municipalities, this plan endeavours to improve access, build upon supports, and strengthen connections; because addressing complex social issues requires action from all levels of government.
Plan Priorities and Goals
| Access to Health |
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Goal: Improve access to mental and physical health supports
Supporting Actions:
- Liaise with the Peterborough Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee to stay informed of ongoing efforts for physician recruitment for unattached patients in the region
- Advocate for expanded health care services including health care providers and facility upgrades (i.e. New Medical Centre)
- Support and advocate for expansion and sustainability of the Family Health Team structure in each Township
- Advocate for a consistent transportation source for residents to access medical services in the City of Peterborough
- Work with the relevant agencies on informative communication plans to support those struggling with mental health and/or addictions and their familial supports
- Provide private space for residents to access internet for virtual medical appointments
- Promote the TALK NOW Mental Health & Addictions clinic
- Ensure no municipal barriers are in place for physical health opportunities
- Support and encourage rural outreach for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s new Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinic
- Continued promotion of crisis line services and supports
- Update or Adopt Master Recreation Plan to ensure a focus on physical health opportunities and programming
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| Community Belongings |
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Goal: Enhance community engagement and sense of connection
Supporting Actions:
- Establish or support existing community hubs that act as an access point and make it easier for residents to access the health, social, cultural, recreational, educational, and any other resources they may need in one spot
- Launch a community education campaign on local programs and services available (i.e. 211 Ontario, Connex Ontario)
- Collaborate with community partners, user groups, and public libraries for social inclusion opportunities
- Support, enhance, and promote community initiatives and programming for all demographics
- Provide ongoing public engagement occasions
- Encourage community volunteerism and participation
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| Community Supports |
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Goal: Improve access to community support services and programs
Supporting Actions:
- Identify community support services and programs that are available
- Identify areas of opportunity or improvement for services and programs
- Improve accessibility and access to support services and programs within the community
- Advocate for a consistent transportation source for residents to access local and surrounding amenities and social opportunities
- Research the possibility of establishing a mechanism to distribute free personal hygiene kits for individuals in need
- Continue to work collaboratively to build long lasting relationships with community partners and organizations
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| Housing Security |
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Goal: Increase access to affordable, safe, and adequate housing
Supporting Actions:
- Work with community partners to support the vision identified in the Peterborough Housing and Homelessness Plan (2019)
- Promote supports available through Peterborough Social Services and Ontario 211
- Advocate for diverse and innovative housing options
- Ensure no municipal barriers are in place to support responsible growth
- Improve service navigation
- Promote secondary dwelling unit legislation (More Homes, More Choices Act, 2019)
- Explore opportunities to support diverse housing options (i.e. tiny homes, multi-residential units)
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