C.O.A.S.T. (Community Outreach and Support Team)

The primary function of a police officer assigned to the Community Outreach and Support Team is to work in partnership with medical care professionals in the assessment and treatment of the mentally ill.  This includes linking individuals during and following a crisis with the necessary community resources and support systems to prevent further crisis.  This also includes being a resource for information for other officers, assisting to reduce the workload on the front line officer and keeping statistics on the impact this program has in reducing police-related calls.

Community Outreach poster outlining when to call 911 and when to call COAST

C.O.A.S.T. is…

  • a joint program between the LaSalle Police Service and Hotel Dieu Grace Health Care.
  • a team consisting of a plainclothes Police Officer and a Social Worker.
  • provides in-home assessments and support to individuals with mental health and addiction needs to persons aged 16 or over residing in LaSalle.
  • facilitates access to community services and supports to divert from the criminal justice system and/or hospital emergency departments.

C.O.A.S.T. is not…

  • an emergency / rapid response service.
  • crisis negotiators
  • a response to violent individuals or individuals in possession of weapons
  • first responders

Who can be referred to C.O.A.S.T.?

  • Someone who has a history of chronic and persistent mental illness with frequent police and/or emergency room visits
  • Someone who is at risk of arrest or hospitalization because of inappropriate or unusual behaviour
  • Someone who is experiencing a decline in mental health that negatively affects day-to-day functioning.  Often includes isolating from family, friends and service providers
  • Someone who is reluctant or unable to access services and no longer has contact with a health support system

Goals of C.O.A.S.T.

  • To prevent further crises and facilitate referrals to appropriate community service providers
  • To divert from the criminal justice system and when necessary to facilitate court support service
  • To divert from hospital emergency departments

Please contact the LaSalle Police Service Community Outreach And Support Team if you have any questions or concerns regarding a family member or loved one.

Call 911 for immediate assistance in emergency situations.

Team members:

Senior Constable Bonnie Racine

519-969-5210 Ext. 2541

bracine@lasallepolice.ca

H.D.G.H. Social Worker Stephanie Robinson

519 250-5048

LaSalleCOAST@hdgh.org

Mental Health Support Resources

AgencyPhoneExt.EmailWebsite
Community Crisis Centre519-973-4435
Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA) (519) 969-2112www.bana.ca
New Beginnings519-254-2363www.newbeginningswindsor.com
Brentwood Recovery Home519-253-2441www.brentwoodrecovery.com
Essex County Youth Diversion519-253-3340www.ecyouthdiversion.ca
Windsor Essex Community Health Centre - Teen Health Centre519-253-8481www.wechc.org
Maryvale519-258-0484
www.maryvale.ca
Family Services Windsor Essex519-966-5010www.familyserviceswe.ca
The Inn of Windsor519-252-7768 www.theinnofwindsor.com
Home and Community Care Erie St. Clair LHIN 519-258-8211Home and Community Care Erie St. Clair LHIN
Canadian Mental Health Association519-255-7440 www.windsoressex.cmha.ca
Mental Health Connections519-256-4854www.mentalhealthconnections.ca
House of Sophrosyne 519-252-2711House of Sophrosyne
Windsor Residence for Young Men226-221-8464www.wrym.ca
Windsor Youth Centre519-563-9271 www.thewindsoryouthcentre.org
BounceBack®1-866-345-0224info@ontario.cmha.caBounce Back Ontario
We help First
Mental Health Assistance for first responders and their families
519-255-7440info-referral@cmha-wecb.on.caWe Help First CMHA
Windsor Essex Community Health Centre - Sandwich519-258-6002https://wechc.org/
Regional Children's Centre519-257-5215https://www.hdgh.org/rccservices