In 2023, the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) undertook a comprehensive analysis of its client demographic, revealing that 25% of its caseload had been on social assistance for five years or more. This deep dive into the reasons for the prolonged need for social assistance identified significant health barriers, including physical impairments, mental illnesses, and addiction issues, which impede clients’ success.
The data further showed that 57% of the clients on social assistance for more than five years may not have access to a healthcare practitioner. To address these challenges, CDSB launched a pilot project in 2024 aimed at enhancing client access to healthcare practitioners.