Public Health Pilot Project
Project Goals:
- To develop First Nations public health service delivery models that include defining what public health in First Nations communities is;
- The protection of community health through legislation and increased capacity to undertake disease surveillance; and,
- To develop governance structure models that reflect local First Nations structures and highlights the interrelationship that First Nations public health has with provincial, municipal boards of health and federal partners, regulators and external organizations.
Health Needs and Priorities
- Interim Report
- Provides overview of community profiles, community services, issues related to these services, and next steps for streamlining services.
- Provides overview of external service providers, community driven services and funders.
- Gaps identified by Service Providers on and off Reserve.
- Gaps identified by Community on and off Reserve.
- Services funded and/or delivered by more than one Service Provider in the community.
- Identification of number of services.
- Services further identified by the community.
Service Delivery Agreements
- Memorandums of understanding developed that address communication issues in service delivery and outlines roles and responsibilities of external service providers.
- Each community has 4 MOUs – one with each of the following service providers
- Kenora Chiefs Advisory
- Northwestern health Unit
- First Nations Inuit Health
- Kenora Area Health Access Centre
First Nations Public Health Act/Bylaws
- This section of the Community Public Health Plan is for future planning and development as a Public Health Infrastructure at the community level is developed.
- Include First Nation By-Laws as they are developed that address community public health concerns and issues.
- Possible direction:
- Modify Ontario Public Health Act to meet the needs of the community (capacity, infrastructure and enforcement).
- Formally adopt Ontario Public Health Act.
Administrative Structure
- Information on First Nations own health structure, including policies and procedures.
- Please note: Some communities still have not accessed health infrastructure support from FNIH and are operating under Band Administration policies and procedures.
Work Plans
- Community delivered health service work plans are included in the community health plan as well as the community public health plan.
Medical Officer of Health and Environmental Health
- Policy Outlining how, why and when communities access the above services is included.
Confidentiality of Health Records
- This is typically included in a community health plan.
- It is imperative for communities to be mindful of the importance of having a process of collecting, maintaining and storing information on clients.
- Having health data will ensure accurate health surveillance and assist in future health planning.
Training Plans
- Training Plans developed for community health services personnel.
- Plans outline the current level of training of the community staff, short-term and long-term training goals.
Emergency Response/Pandemic Plan
- Community’s emergency response and pandemic plans included.
Evaluation Plan
- Evaluation Plan outlines process in which community ensure accountability to community members.
Next Steps
- Based on gaps of each community’s public health plan, priorities are identified.
Work Plan 2009-2010
- Evaluate the steering committee MOU, process and membership.
- Establish year 3 Steering Committee.
- Develop a Community Public Health priority assessment tool and complete Public Health priority assessments in each KCA community.
- Develop Strategy to address Public Health Priorities in each community.
- Continue to develop a First Nation Traditional Healing Framework.
- Develop a draft Public Health Service partnership and professional support framework