Yellowknife (Mar 28/03) - From the outside it looks like any other house. But the white and green duplex beside Northern United Place is anything but usual.

For the past 10 years the home, owned by Colleen Chartrand and Serge Pilote, has been a haven for people with psychiatric ailments.

Chartrand, a psychiatric nurse and life skills coach, has dedicated 24 years -- 10 years in Yellowknife -- helping psychiatric patients cope with everything from depression to emotional trauma and schizophrenia.

She operates several group homes, has 26 regular clients, manages up to 15 staff while trying to help clients lead productive lives.

Under the parenting model she and Serge offer day programs, culturally based activities and a life skills program in addition to regular counselling and support.

But as of Monday, Chartrand no longer has a contract with Yellowknife Health and Social Services. She said she dropped the contract because she couldn't continue operating under the current one.

"I kept going in the hole," she said.

Last year Stanton paid for a $4,000 review of her services at the end of her contract. The review recommendations suggested Chartrand hire a human resources person and provide individual bedrooms for the six clients she presently lives with in her home.

"That costs houses," she said, adding Social Services wasn't prepared to pay for the recommendations.

When her three-year contract was up last December, Chartrand was offered one more year at the same amount.

Her current budget is $859,875 a year. Social Services offered an additional 2.9 per cent -- $6,000.

Although that looks like a lot of money, Chartrand said, she could barely make ends meet and was making only a few dollars an hour for 24-hour care.

"At three bucks an hour I can't hire staff for that," she said.

Instead Chartrand asked for a 60 per cent budget increase -- about $55,000, said Al Woods, interim chief executive officer for Stanton Territorial Hospital.

"We were unable to give her that level of funding," he said.

Addressing concerns

Yellowknife is on the road to bigger and better things for psychiatric care, said Woods.

"I really see this as providing more options on the service delivery side," said Woods. "After we get through this we'll have more options for the future."

Ten years ago there was nothing available for psychiatric patients, said Chartrand.

"It's nice to see more acceptance now than 10 years ago when I first came," she said.

Woods and Chartrand have been trying to keep clients together in the new placements. Stanton has also hired an extra social worker to help with the transition, said Woods.

"If there is a bright side to this we will build bigger opportunities in the community to deal with clients with these kinds of needs," said Woods.

"These changes may have had to be made at some point," he said adding there was no one to replace Chartrand if something happened to her.

Although money was an issue between Chartrand Homes and Stanton, Woods admits the transition may initially cost a bit more.

"It may not cost us any less and may cost us slightly more."

By the end of April client payments will be made under a new rate review which focuses on client needs and provides more flexibility, said Woods. Right now the rates are fixed, regardless of the client's needs.

"There are some clients who deserve more and some who require less services," said Woods, adding the new rates may also save money.

Some of Chartrand's clients have been placed through the Yellowknife Women's Centre Association, while others remain in their independent living situations or group home facilities scattered around the city.