CSWBP STAR Reducing Risk in Grey and Bruce Communities

The CSWBP Situation Table for Acutely Elevated Risk (STAR), is an evidence-informed initiative that involves over 35 partners from police services, human services, and other community agencies who work together to reduce the chance of imminent harm or victimization in situations where there is a combination of elevated risk factors.

The table works collaboratively to provide immediate interventions to individuals, families, neighborhoods, dwellings, and environments. The multidisciplinary partners use their combined expertise and experience to determine the threshold of Acutely Elevated Risk, to ensure risk is not only examined through one service provider's lens but all service representatives at the table.

STAR follows a 4-filter approach developed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to ensure the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.

What is Acutely Elevated Risk (AER)?
Acutely Elevated Risk (AER), is a situation that negatively affects the health and/or safety of an individual, family, group, or place where there is a high probability that there will be imminent and significant harm to self or others. The risk factors of these situations span across multiple human service disciplines.

2023 STAR Example
In 2023, STAR was able to support an individual with immediate wrap around support to provide them with the health and social services they required to improve their overall wellbeing and reduce their imminent risk of harm.

The intervention also reduced the individuals 911 calls from 53 in 2.5 months to 6 in the 2.5 months following the intervention, seeing an 89% reduction in 911 calls and over $15,000 in cost reduction to police and EMS services. This was just 1 of 25 situations the table reduced the Acutely Elevated Risk in during 2023.

What is the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP) Grey-Bruce?
Community Safety and Well Being Planning helps organizations improve the things that keep us healthy, happy, and safe. Together, we use research to create solutions focused on education, health care, food, housing, income, crime, and belonging. It is important that we create a welcoming community where problems are solved before they happen and where different professionals and community members come together to help people now and in the future.

The ongoing work of CSWBP is supported by an advisory committee representing over 78 partners from across Bruce and Grey who are working together to address crime prevention by investing in social development, prevention, and risk interventions. This upstream preventative model focuses on creating protective factors that make individuals less vulnerable to crime and victimization.