Integrated Case Management (ICM) Pilot Project

Brief Description

The Integrated Case Management (ICM) Pilot Project in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT) is a collaborative approach that supports the successful implementation of the Wellness Court.^Footnote1 ICM adopts a client-centered, multi-departmental model that focuses on clients with complex needs including high risk clients with mental health and addictions needs. The ICM pilot project aims to create, foster and deliver a coordinated, collaborative, multi-departmental and client-centered approach that removes system barriers and service gaps for individuals with complex needs.

Administered by the Department of Justice, the ICM pilot project is an interdepartmental program that includes the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS), the NWT Health and Social Services Authority (Yellowknife Region), the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) and the NWT Housing Corporation. These partners make up the ICM Working Group, which meets monthly to oversee the direction of the program, including discussions on system barriers being identified in Government of NWT social program services delivery.

The program is currently offered to residents of Yellowknife, N’dilo and Dettah in the NWT.

Goals

The main goals of the ICM pilot project are to:

• Implement stronger integrated service delivery, management, and interdepartmental collaboration;
• Encourage collaboration to identify and address service gaps and barriers; and
• Provide client-centered and culturally-safe services that help meet the unique needs of clients.

Clientele

The appropriate clientele for the ICM Pilot Project is high-risk individuals with two or more complex needs such as mental health and addictions who reside in Yellowknife, Dettagh, or N’dilo and who require supports that do not duplicate existing services. Clients typically face barriers to obtaining needed services from two or more of the participating departments.

To participate in the program, potential participants are screened for eligibility and suitability by an ICM case manager, also known as an ICM Pathfinder. ICM case managers work with clients to access client centered services and individualized service plans in conjunction with the ICM Working Group with representatives of all partnerships.

Core Components

The duration of the programs implemented by the ICM Pilot Project varies depending on the complex needs of the client and what services are provided to them. The program components include the following:

• Provide streamlined service provision for individuals with complex needs through systems navigation;
• Identify barriers and gaps in policy and service delivery through enhanced communication and collaboration; and
• Service delivery through Integrated Service planning, while ICM staff help develop an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) that is participant-centered, strength-based, and holistic.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: ICM case managers conduct assessments on clients, develop individualized service plans, navigate within and between service systems, act as a fixed point of contact for clients and integrate essential elements of assessment organizations. ICM case managers also ensure accountability and work with communities and service providers to support the focus on individual needs as well as opportunities and innovation. Local programming availabilities are needed to meet the unique needs of clients.
• Partnerships: The ICM Pilot project relies on interdepartmental collaboration for effective implementation. The Government of the Northwest Territories’ ICM Pilot Project is led by the Department of Justice in partnership with the departments of Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, as well as the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority and the NWT Housing Corporation.
• Training and technical assistance: ICM case managers typically require a degree in a Social Science related field combined with 1 year of current case management experience in the Corrections and/or Social Services field. All referred programming and services are implemented by qualified professionals in their own field who have received training and experience specific towards those services.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The ICM pilot project has been implemented in the Northwest Territories since October 2015 by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

In 2020, a social return on investment (SROI) was conducted on the ICM Pilot Project. The findings from this study have shown the following:

• For every dollar the Government of the Northwest Territories invested in the ICM program, it resulted in at least $4.50 CAD of value.
• Most of this value is returned to ICM participants (56% or $2.52 CAD) but a significant portion is returned to the Government of the Northwest Territories as well (29% or $1.31 CAD), with additional value generated for children and families of ICM participants (14% or $0.66 CAD) as well.

References

Data Sciences Inc. (2020). Final Report - SROI: Integrated Case Management. Department of Justice of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Available from: https://www.ntassembly.ca/sites/assembly/files/td_139-192.pdf

For more information on this program, contact:

Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
4903 49th Street
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 2N4
Telephone: (867)767-9262, ext.82272

E-mail: trish_bullis@gov.nt.ca

Website: http://www.gov.nt.ca/