Action Table Calgary (ATC) is a collaborative initiative designed to provide coordinated interventions for Calgarians facing complex situations involving multiple risk factors and safety concerns. ATC follows the Situation Table model, a structured, multi-sectoral approach that brings together agencies from various sectors to respond swiftly to individuals and families experiencing Acutely Elevated Risk (AER). The goal of ATC is to prevent crises before they escalate, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate wraparound supports in a timely manner.

ATC operates as a weekly action-oriented meeting, where representatives from social services, healthcare, housing, education, law enforcement, and other community organizations come together to review and respond to cases where an individual, family, or group is at Acutely Elevated Risk. These cases involve situations where the likelihood of victimization, harm, or crisis is extremely high, requiring an urgent, coordinated response.

To ensure that information is shared responsibly while protecting individual privacy, ATC follows a structured four-phase process that guides case identification, intervention planning, and follow-up.

Clients are identified by those at the table as meeting the ‘Acutely Elevated Risk’ threshold. This threshold indicates that imminent risk of serious harm to individuals, families, or the community requires immediate, coordinated support to mitigate crises and prevent escalation.

Action Table Calgary is a partnership between United Way of Calgary and Area, the Calgary Police Service and The City of Calgary. We have also engaged more than 55 community partners to sit at the table and provide support and services. These span diverse sectors such as Health and Wellness, Addictions, Housing, Social and Family Services, Justice and Public Safety, Animal Welfare, Education and Learning, Basic Needs, Immigration, Multiculturalism, Domestic Violence, and Indigenous services.

Action Table Calgary is an effective way of addressing cases with imminent, elevated risk so they don’t turn into crises. It helps address complex cases in the community, coordinates support and services, and ensures the right people are receiving the right resource at the right time.

The first ATC table meeting took place on January 31, 2024. The model is based on a successful situation table called FOCUS Toronto, which has been running for over 10 years, as well as other situation tables across Canada.

No, all cases are brought forward by agencies and organizations who sit at the table. The table members determine the threshold of risk and need and come up with a plan to move forward.

Action Table works with de-identified information, allowing the agencies to have a discussion about the case without sharing names, specific ages, or specific locations.

Consent is typically obtained from clients by presenting agencies, adhering to privacy policies and the agencies’ best practices. In crisis situations, agencies follow established protocols, prioritizing client consent whenever feasible. Clients may decline participation or services at any time.

As of June 9, 2025, there are currently 57 active partners at the table:

• Alex, The
• Alpha House
• Big Hill Haven
• Bridge to Oasis
• Calgary Alternative Support Services
• Calgary Board of Education (CBE)
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
• Calgary Counselling Centre
• Calgary Drop-In Centre
• Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network (CFAN)
• Calgary Food Bank
• Calgary Heritage Housing Foundation
• Calgary Housing Company
• Calgary Humane Society
• Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)
• Calgary John Howard Society
• Calgary Police Service
• Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS)
• Canadian Centre for Men and Families
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
• Carya
• Centre for Newcomers
• Centre for Sexuality
• Centre for Suicide Prevention
• Children’s Cottage Society
• Closer to Home Community Services
• Distress Centre Calgary
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary
• Enviros
• Families Matter
• FearIsNotLove
• Government of Alberta-Disability Services
• Home Front
• Hope Mission
• Hull Services
• Immigrant Education Society, The (TIES)
• Inn from the Cold
• Jewish Family Services Calgary
• Kindred Connections Society
• Lion Heart Foundation
• Miskanawah
• Mustard Seed, The
• Northeast Addiction and Mental Health Centre for Holistic Recovery
• Parachutes for Pets
• Primary Care Network-Calgary and Area
• Primary Care Network-Foothills
• Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS)
• Recovery Alberta
• Rise Calgary
• Rowan House
• SafeLink Alberta
• Somali Canadian Society of Calgary
• Trellis Society
• Unison at Kerby Centre
• Veterans Affairs Canada
• Women In Need Society (WINS)
• Wood’s Homes

Action Table Calgary completed the one-year pilot in December of 2024. With the pilot now complete, Action Table Calgary continues its work, addressing service gaps and strengthening coordinated care through data collection, leadership and system-wide collaboration. In its 2024 Community Safety Investment Framework, The City of Calgary committed to extending the program, funding it for a further two years.