Timiskaming Healthy Communities

Background

In 2009 the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion (MPH) launched the Healthy Communities Framework, an integrated and holistic approach to health promotion .

Goals

• To create a culture of health and well being
• Increased coordinated action to build healthy communities
• Increase policies and programs that make it easier for Ontarians to be healthy
• Increase the capacity of leaders to work together to strengthen healthy living

Healthy Communities Fund Components

• Grants Project Stream: Provides funding to local and provincial organizations for projects in priority risk factor areas. The Healthy Community Fund combined a number of former community funding programs related to health promotion. Eligible organizations are required to work in partnership and to take an integrated approach to improving health and wellness at the community level. For more information about the Healthy Communities Fund see www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/healthy-communities/hcf/default.asp
  
• Partnership Stream: Promotes coordinated planning and action among community partners to create policies that make it easier for Ontarians to be healthy. The Healthy Community Partnerships have built on the structures of the 37 former Heart Health Partnerships across the province.
  
• Resource Centre: Builds capacity of Healthy Community Partnerships and communities by providing training and support. This component is carried out by the Healthy Communities Consortium, a collaboration of four health promotion resource centres: OHCC, Health Nexus, the Heart Health Resource Centre and the Drug Awareness Partnership. For more information about the Consortium see www.ohcc-ccso.ca/en/healthy-communities-consortium

Guiding Principles

The Timiskaming Healthy Communities Partnership believes that...

• Empowers communities using a shared decision-making model
• Strengthens partnerships within and between communities and between local and provincial partners
• Engages a variety of community partners and sectors to mobilize for change
• Focuses on those at risk for poor health to reduce disparities
• Builds on research, evidence and experience
• Accountable to communities and the ministry through measurable outcomes
• Works toward sustainable programs and strategies

Priorities and Outcomes

Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation

• access to recreation and physical activity
• support active transportation & improve the built environment

 Injury Prevention

• promote safe environments that prevent injury

 Healthy Eating

• access to healthier food
• educate and develop food skills

 Tobacco Use / Exposure

• access to tobacco free environments and smoking cessation services
• educate the public about the risks of tobacco use

 Substance & Alcohol Misuse

• increase resiliency in youth
• engage youth in alcohol misuse prevention strategies

 Mental Health

• increase resiliency in youth