What this means for you

Government Service Integration is about making it easier to get the support you need from government programs and services. 

Right now:

• you will continue to access programs and services the same way you do today
• you will continue to work with the same service providers and departments
• there are no new application processes or access points

Over time:

• services will become more accessible and multiple programs and services will work together more smoothly
• you may experience fewer delays or repeated steps when seeking assistance from government services
• it will be easier to get the right support when your needs span more than one program

What is service integration?

Service integration is a way of coordinating government services so people can get support more easily, especially when they need help from more than one program or service.

What service integration does

Service integration improves how government services connect so support is more coordinated. It helps:

• identify and address barriers that make it harder to access services
• improve coordination when services need to work together

What service integration does not do

Service integration does not change how you access services:

• it does not create new programs or services
• it does not replace existing service providers
• it does not provide direct support or case management

Why this work starts with homelessness and preventing homelessness

Homelessness, and preventing homelessness, are urgent priorities in communities across the Northwest Territories. It is also an area where many services need to work together.

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness may need support from housing, health care, income support, justice, and community services at the same time. When these services are not as well connected as they can be, it can be harder to get the right support.

Starting with homelessness helps improve coordination in a complex area where the need is high. It also allows new approaches to be tested and improved before expanding to other priorities.

What is learned from this work will be applied to improve how services connect in other areas outside of homelessness.

How services improve over time

Service integration improves coordination by identifying and fixing barriers to accessing services. These barriers may include:

• complicated or repetitive application processes
• processes that don’t align across programs that people often access at the same time
• gaps between services
• challenges coordinating support
• poor communication between service providers

When a barrier is identified, it follows a clear process:

• the issue is documented and reviewed
• it is addressed where possible at the program level
• if needed, it is raised to decision-makers for further action
• changes are made to improve coordination

Example:

A person needs support from both housing and income support, but the application steps don’t line up, causing delays. By identifying this as a barrier, departments can adjust processes so support can be provided more smoothly.

Not all barriers can be resolved right away. Some barriers take longer to resolve, especially when they require changes to regulations or legislation. As these issues are addressed, services become easier to navigate.

The following sections explain how this work happens and who is involved.

Service Integration Teams

Service Integration Teams bring together staff from different departments to identify and address barriers between services.

What Service Integration Teams do:

• Identify barriers that make it hard for residents to access services, and for service providers to work together
• Review issues and figure out what may be causing barriers
• Help resolve problems where possible
• Send issues that need higher-level decisions or changes to decision makers

What they do not do:

• They do not provide direct services or support to residents
• They do not manage individual cases
• They do not replace existing programs or service providers

Service Integration Teams focus on improving the system, so that services are easier to navigate for everyone.

Service Integration Teams are currently in:

• Yellowknife
• Inuvik
• Hay River
• Fort Simpson
• Behchokǫ̀

Who is involved

Improving how services work together involves people across government and in communities.

This work brings together:

• Government departments, who deliver programs and services
• Service Integration Teams, who help identify and address barriers
• Regional Coordinators, who support teams and help raise issues that need broader decisions

It also includes collaboration with:

• Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations
• Community organizations and service providers (e.g. NGOs, Indigenous Governments)

Each group continues its existing role while contributing to better coordination across services.

Contact Us

General inquiries: gsi@gov.nt.ca