Concurrent Disorders Support Services (CDSS) is a program of the Concurrent Disorders Transitional Support Partnership, a network of 21 agencies operating in Toronto.

These agencies came out of two service sectors – either mental health or addictions – each with its own funding, professions, bases of knowledge and services. Traditionally, people with a concurrent disorder (both mental health and addictions) have been treated in one sector and often excluded from the other.

As it has long been known that there is considerable cross-over between the two populations, these agencies collaborated to build an innovative program (CDSS), which is currently limited to the partners’ clients and workers (see note below). Their purpose was to:

• Build a service network that can treat both issues together.
• Give short-term timely service to clients who are most in need.
• Reduce barriers to service.
• Build the knowledge of workers around concurrent disorders.

The partnership utilizes a collaborative agreement to outline mutually beneficial service commitments between autonomous, self-governing organizations. The agreement has no legalistic connotations.

Note: In 2009, CDSS is experimenting with a very limited community referral of 10 specific agencies (non-partners). This pilot will be evaluated by March 2010.