New joint intervention team EMIPIC launched in Maniwaki

Tashi Farmilo

The Centre Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) of the Outaouais and la Sûreté du Québec (SQ) have taken a progressive step forward by officially introducing the new Joint Intervention Team (EMIPIC) to the Maniwaki region. This initiative, already operational for several months, is a collaborative effort that includes the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Maniwaki and the Lake Barrière community. EMIPIC is tailored to serve the MRC of the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the area’s vulnerable and indigenous populations by providing culturally sensitive services.

The EMIPIC team, composed of two patrol officers and a psychosocial worker from the CISSS of Outaouais, leverages the expertise of Indigenous partners from the Outaouais region to enhance their outreach. The primary aim is to swiftly connect individuals in distress with a broad spectrum of public, community, and indigenous support resources, thereby improving service access and reducing criminalization among the clientele.

This interdisciplinary team extends its services through various stages of crisis — from prevention to post-crisis support — and actively engages in preventative measures targeting issues prevalent among vulnerable groups. This collaborative model not only bolsters timely responses but also fosters prevention initiatives.

Lieutenant Eric Sylvestre of la Sûreté du Québec praised the EMIPIC's impact, acknowledging its vital role in fostering better service practices and expressing pride in the team’s innovative and proactive approach. The positive repercussions of their work have been felt across the territory, proving to be a significant community asset.

Simona Hudema of the CISSS of Outaouais emphasized the importance of EMIPIC’s role in facilitating service access and highlighted the invaluable contributions of a social worker who has been instrumental in understanding and building trust within the community through dedicated service.

The program's effectiveness was illustrated by a case followed by Vincent Courteau, a social worker at the Maniwaki Indigenous Friendship Center, under the Songideye Program. A client with multiple challenges, including domestic violence and mental health issues, received comprehensive support and intervention from EMIPIC and CISSS of Outaouais. This collaborative approach ensured the individual’s long-term safety and addressed her needs holistically.

EMIPIC stands as a testament to the power of collaborative, culturally competent, and community-focused initiatives in improving the lives of the most vulnerable, setting a precedent for future programs across the region.

EMIPIC: Improvements to intervention with vulnerable clients with a mixed team of psychosocial and police services in Maniwaki. 

Photo credit: Courtesy of CISSS