Concurrent Disorders Support Services (CDSS) is an access centre that is tailored to the needs of a Concurrent Disorder (CD) and complex population.

While CDSS maintains the typical characteristics of an access centre–receiving applications, screening, opening files and data tracking–it also tries to assist clients in linking to and continuing in appropriate service.

• Flexibility: Given the transience of a homeless/ high risk population, the flexibility of intake procedures is important. CDSS may receive applications from partners’ workers by fax or mail, fill out applications by phone or meet with workers and clients by speaker phone or at their work site.

• Timeliness: Quick or prioritized access, both at the point of application and referral to service may help to reduce the high rate of missed appointments in this population. CDSS has a standard call-back of 24 hours to and from referring workers and most partners provide prioritized service to CDSS clients.

• Service plan: CDSS discusses with the referring worker a client’s current request, needs and overall service/ discharge plan, which may extend beyond CDSS services. CDSS continually monitors requests for services that are appropriate to a CD-complex population. CDSS currently has around 30 services.

• Case facilitation: CDSS provides short-term transitional supports. To increase the continuity in service, CDSS assigns a case facilitator (usually the referring worker, but sometimes from CDSS) to assist in linkage to service. The case facilitator collaborates with CDSS to plan the service, attend case conferences (if necessary), accompany the client and continue/ discharge service after CDSS service is terminated.

• Access supports: CDSS supports access to service through accompaniment and funding for transportation, interpretation and other supports.

• Reduction of barriers to access: CDSS and partners are committed to a continuing dialogue to reduce barriers both in accessing and maintaining service.