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SUCCESS The CNSC – CE provides coordination and linkages to supports to adults

STORIES with a developmental disability and high support and complex care needs
(HSCCN) in Simcoe, York, Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge.

Clinical Justice Program
The Community Networks of Specialized Care – Central East (CNSC-CE) Clinical Justice Program received a referral for an adult with a diagnosis of Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who was facing charges for assault and assault with a weapon. Initially a referral was mobilized for the support of a
Dual Diagnosis Justice Coordinator (DDJC) to help navigate the criminal justice system. Upon assessment, it was recognized by the DDJC that this client
would benefit from the support of numerous pillars in the CNSC-CE Clinical Justice Program: the Justice Clinic, the Adapted - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
(A-DBT) Justice Group and the Justice App. This triggered a referral to the Behaviour Consultant/Justice Specialist as well as the A-DBT Justice Group to
assist with resolving his court matters in a way that ensured meaningful access to the justice system. The Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Justice Plan
implemented by the Behaviour Consultant/Justice Specialist assisted the client to understand what a peace bond was and his specific conditions to ensure
he was prepared for court. The A-DBT Justice Group further supported the client by teaching him skills and strategies to assist with regulating emotions,
tolerating stress and coping with the long wait times in virtual court. At one court appearance the client was signed on to virtual court with his support staff
and the DDJC supporting him remotely. The client was getting frustrated with the lengthy court proceedings and the DDJC had to step in and prompt his
A-DBT strategies to ensure he remained in court. The client’s matter was presented; he was able to answer all the questions regarding the peace bond posed
by the judge,entered into a peace bond and his charges were withdrawn. This example highlights how the multiple pillars of the Clinical Justice Program can
work in tandem to provide individualized comprehensive support to justice involved clients who have high support and complex care needs.

Justice App
The Justice App created by the Community Networks of Specialized Care - Central East (CNSC-CE) in
partnership with CLH Developmental Support Services and Mackenzie Health was launched provincially in
November 2021 as a resource to help clients and support persons navigating the criminal justice system.
Since its inception, there is qualitative and quantitative data that supports its usage, and it has shown success
in both the developmental and legal sectors. For example, the Justice App was recently used as a resource
to instruct the mother of a youth client on how to prepare her son for his fingerprinting appointment. This
helped alleviate the tremendous amount of anxiety this young gentleman was experiencing. Ultimately, he
was able to successfully complete his fingerprinting appointment. In another example, the Justice App was
highlighted for its effectiveness as a resource to be used in any setting. For example, the Dual Diagnosis
Justice Coordinator (DDJC) was able to remotely access the Justice App in an appointment with a client’s
lawyer to explain different sentencing outcomes that were not initially part of the meeting’s agenda. The
lawyer provided feedback after the appointment stating that the Justice App was paramount to the client’s
understanding of the information. These examples are just two of many that highlight the usability of the
Justice App, making it an effective and comprehensive resource that is readily accessible by all.

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