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By rdnewsNOW staff

Alberta

Province announces next steps in refocused mental health, addiction care

Jun 11, 2024 | 1:37 PM

Alberta’s government is moving forward with establishing Recovery Alberta and the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence.

In April 2024, Alberta’s government announced it was creating two new organizations to improve mental health and addiction care as part of refocusing health care in Alberta. Provincial officials say Recovery Alberta will be the new provincial health agency to deliver mental health, addiction and correctional health services currently provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS). The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) will also be established to support Alberta’s government with data analysis, program evaluation and research of global best practices to support evidence-based mental health and addiction services.

Officials note the provincial government tabled legislation to create both organizations during the spring session and, in May, the Alberta legislature passed both the Health Statutes Amendment Act and the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence Act, enabling government to move forward with establishing Recovery Alberta and CoRE.

“The establishment of Recovery Alberta and CoRE are the next steps in refocusing our health care system and improving services available to those facing mental health challenges or suffering from addiction,” says Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. “We are going to ensure the best services are available to Albertans to support them in their pursuit of recovery.”

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Once the final legislative processes are complete, provincial officials note that Recovery Alberta is expected to be a legal entity as of July 1. Kerry Bales, Recovery Alberta’s incoming chief executive officer is then expected to establish a senior leadership team and begin implementing the corporate policies and processes required to facilitate the transition of Mental Health and Addiction, and Correctional Health Services from AHS to Recovery Alberta.

Officials say Alberta’s government has been engaging with staff on the frontlines in leadership positions following the introduction and passing of the Health Statutes Amendment Act, and in response to that engagement, has updated the transition timeline. It is now expected programs and staff will transition to Recovery Alberta on Sept. 1, 2024. The government says staff will continue to be engaged throughout this transition period and information will be shared as it becomes available.

“As Recovery Alberta nears establishment, I am reflecting on all the people who made it possible to create an agency completely dedicated to mental health, addiction and correctional health services,” shares Kerry Bales, chief executive officer (incoming), Recovery Alberta. “It will be a landmark moment in our efforts to support Albertans, and I look forward to working with our staff and clinicians across the province to embrace the opportunities this renewed focus brings.”

The government says frontline workers and service providers remain essential to care for Albertans, adding there will be no changes to terms of employment for current AHS staff transitioning to Recovery Alberta. Officials say an agreement in principle has been reached with the United Nurses of Alberta on the transition of registered nurses to Recovery Alberta. Additionally, the government says there will be no changes to grants or contracts for service providers currently under agreement with AHS upon establishment of Recovery Alberta.

According to provincial officials, the creation of Recovery Alberta prioritizes mental health and addiction services and ensures these services receive the attention and oversight needed to address the addiction crisis and better support those struggling with mental health challenges. Alberta’s government says it will be able to better direct resources and improve the patient experience across the continuum of care, including prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.

Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence

In the past five years, the government says Alberta has made significant strides in creating a system focused on recovery. Alberta’s government says it has removed user fees for treatment, increased publicly funded treatment capacity and opened two recovery communities with nine more on the way. The province says it has also paved the way for helping those with addiction achieve recovery by making same day treatment and medication available at no cost across the province through the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program.

“The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence is the first of its kind in Canada – an organization dedicated to advancing research and program evaluation on recovery-oriented systems of care,” explains Kym Kaufmann, chief executive officer (incoming), Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence. “We are looking forward to building our team over the upcoming weeks and getting started on this important work to determine the most effective means to help individuals with mental health and addiction recover.”

The government says the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence is being established to improve mental health and addiction services through data analysis, program evaluation, research and advice to government. Following the completion of legislative processes, CoRE is expected to be established by the end of the month.

Alberta government quick facts

$1.55 billion is being invested in 2024-25 to continue building the Alberta Recovery Model.

• This includes a $1.13-billion funding transfer from Health to Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) for mental health and addiction services currently delivered by Alberta Health Services.
• $5 million is being invested in 2024-25 to establish the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence.
• Virtual engagement sessions for AHS staff and service providers were held in April and recordings can be listened to online.
• Additional engagement for AHS Mental Health and Addiction and Correctional Health Services staff is being planned over the summer months.