Referrals start with the participant.
ELM is a participant-led, self-directed service. Participants can refer themselves at any time. Where it helps, a family member, community agency, or DSP Care Coordinator (EFA, IPSC, or LAC) can complete the referral alongside the participant. This page explains how that works.
At a glance
- Provider typeFor-profit Nova Scotia corporation
- DSP statusDSP Approved Service Provider — Individualized Funding
- Service offeringDirect support services; housing navigation support; IF management
- Service areaHalifax Regional Municipality (Central Zone)
- Area of strongest experienceParticipants whose disability intersects with mental health, substance use, justice involvement, trauma, housing instability and institutionalization
- Areas outside ELM's primary scopeMobility-impairment-led support needs; participants whose plan requires residential or congregate-care settings
- 24/7 on-callYes
- Primary contactLeisha Seymour, Managing Director — info@elmprograms.ca
How to refer
Participants can reach out to ELM directly. Where a family member, community agency, or DSP Care Coordinator is supporting a participant with their referral, we ask that you make first contact alongside the participant whenever possible. We aim to acknowledge inquiries within two business days.
Whether you’re a participant reaching out for yourself or someone supporting a participant’s referral, the following information helps us respond well:
- The participant’s funding level (A through D) and any approved supplements.
- Current housing status and stability.
- Primary support priorities, in the participant’s own words where possible.
- Any prior DSP service providers and how that experience went.
- Any safety considerations relevant to ELM staff or to the participant.
- The participant’s consent for ELM to engage.
- We will be transparent about our current intake capacity.
- We will be honest about whether ELM is the right match for the participant. Where ELM is not the right match, we will say so and help identify alternatives.
- Where the match is good, we will meet with the participant promptly and co-develop an Individualized Support Plan with them. Where a DSP Care Coordinator is involved, authorized supports are confirmed with them before service begins.
- We keep the participant in the lead throughout. Where a referring agency or Care Coordinator is involved, the Managing Director is copied on substantive correspondence; both the participant and the referrer hear from us before significant changes are made.
