Minoayawin Mobile Outreach Program
Health and Wellness for those who are struggling with housing in Thompson
The Minoayawin Mobile Outreach Program van, also known as The Minoayawin Van, is a community-driven initiative funded by the Province of Manitoba. Designed to provide essential primary care and harm reduction services directly to people who are struggling with housing in Thompson, we are committed to creating accessible, respectful, and effective healthcare solutions.
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Services Offered
- Harm Reduction Materials: Providing essentials like water, toiletries, other everyday basics, and other harm reduction initiatives.
- Naloxone Distribution: Offering lifesaving naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses
- Referral Services: Connecting individuals with the necessary resources, specialists, and additional support services to ensure comprehensive care.
- Everyday Health Support: Delivering basic health assessments, treatments and referrals
- Social Work and support: Connecting individuals to additional social and health services.
The Minoayawin Van Roles
Each member is crucial in delivering comprehensive and culturally attuned health and wellness services to the Thompson community and beyond. From strategic leadership to frontline care, our team is committed to providing accessible, respectful, and effective health care solutions. Below, you’ll find an overview of each team member’s role and responsibilities, highlighting how they contribute to our mission of enhancing health and wellness for our community members.
The director of the Mobile Outreach Program oversees program development and implementation, as well as the enhancement and quality improvement of services. This role is crucial in advancing primary care, harm reduction services, and wellness initiatives for the unhoused in Thompson and possibly surrounding First Nations communities. The Director provides guidance, support, and clinical supervision to the staff of KIM Inc.’s Minoayawin Van, including Knowledge Keepers, Peer Support Workers, Outreach Workers, BSWs, MDs, RNs, and LPNs. Additionally, the Director manages the administrative and financial aspects of the team, ensuring a welcoming, safe, and wellness-focused community space.
The Nurse Practitioner is vital to an integrated, multidisciplinary team providing health and mental wellness services. This role involves delivering primary care and collaborating closely with other healthcare providers, including Physicians, Registered Nurses, and other Nurse Practitioners, as well as Knowledge Keepers, Elders, Counsellors, Social Workers, and Peer Support Workers. The Nurse Practitioner will help ensure access to primary care, harm reduction services, and comprehensive physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care in a racism-free environment dedicated to serving the Minoayawin Van participants, their families, and communities.
The RN or LPN will be a key part of a multidisciplinary health services team, offering racism-free care to those accessing the Minoayawin Van. Working alongside primary care providers (Physicians and Nurse Practitioners) and allied health providers (Elders, Counselors, Social Workers, Peer Support Workers), the RN or LPN will enhance access to primary care, withdrawal management services, and Elder-led Indigenous-specific care provided by the MMOP.
The Social Worker is an essential member of an integrated, multidisciplinary health and mental wellness services team within the Minoayawin Mobile Outreach Program. This role is dedicated to providing high-quality, Indigenous-specific, racism-free community treatment and care to members accessing the Minoayawin Van. Working alongside primary care providers (Physicians and Nurse Practitioners) and allied health providers (Elders, Counsellors, Registered Nurses, and Peer Support Workers), the Social Worker facilitates access to a wide range of services, including health, mental wellness, social services, primary care, harm reduction, and Knowledge Keeper/Elder services in the community of Thompson and across First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba.
The Social Worker collaborates with a network of service providers to co-create a comprehensive wellness plan with program participants, addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. This plan is actively implemented and regularly evaluated to ensure its effectiveness. All activities and interactions are conducted within an Indigenous-specific, racism-free care environment, ensuring culturally sensitive and respectful service delivery.
The First Nations Wellness Support Worker (FNWSW) is a vital member of the MMOP team, providing anti-Indigenous specific racism wellness care through various roles. These duties include building relationships and facilitating access to care through community outreach, assisting Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and helping to create and maintain safe spaces for community members. The FNWSW also organizes and facilitates workshops, circles, land-based wellness outings, ceremonies, and community events. Additionally, the FNWSW handles logistical support such as preparing and caring for medicines and cultural materials, performing basic administrative and communication tasks like data entry, scheduling, tracking hours for Elders and Knowledge Keepers, supporting program activities, and preparing food.
The Medical Office Assistant (MOA) plays a vital role in the MMOP team, supporting both mobile and fixed clinic operations within the Thompson community. Responsibilities include managing referrals, maintaining medical supplies, updating Electronic Medical Records, and establishing solid relationships with community members. The MOA collaborates with care team members to deliver effective outreach-based primary care and anti-Indigenous racism care, ensuring smooth logistical support and efficient service delivery.