The Association of Ontario Health Centres: The Provincial Association for Community Governed Primary Health Care An Introduction September 2014

Who is AOHC AOHC is the voice of community governed primary care We are your voice at provincial tables ensuring you have the policies and resources to improve the health of the people and communities you serve AOHC incorporated in years ago. We hold an annual conference to bring our members together to work on common issues. Association of Ontario Health Centres2

All our members are community governed Association of Ontario Health Centres3 – 75 or 100% of Community Health Centres (CHCs) – 10 or 100% of Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs) – 15 Community Family Health Teams (CFHTs) – 13 Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics (NPLCs) 3

AOHC Vision Association of Ontario Health Centres4 4

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AOHC Mission Association of Ontario Health Centres6 As the voice of community governed primary health care, AOHC works: 1.To promote healthy public policy. 2.To advocate for the elimination of systemic barriers to health. 3.To promote system-wide innovations in primary health care. 4.To support our members. 5.To advocate for the protection and improvement of Medicare. 6

Values and Principles that unite us: Highest Quality Health and Wellbeing People and Community Centred Health Equity and Social Justice Community Vitality and Belonging Association of Ontario Health Centres7

Model of Health & Wellbeing 8 Association of Ontario Health Centres8 Attributes: Accessible Anti-oppressive and culturally safe Interprofessional, integrated and Coordinated Based on the Determinants of Health Community-Governed Ground in a Community Development Approach Accountable and Efficient.

Health Equity Charter “We will be bold, strategic and relentless.” A commitment to action by the AOHC and its members to recognize and confront barriers to equitable health. Association of Ontario Health Centres9

10 AOHC Strategic Plan: Association of Ontario Health Centres

Strategic Direction #1: Healthy Public Policy Advancing health equity, healthy public policy and the elimination of systemic barriers to health Examples: – Advocating for affordable, accessible oral health – Poverty as a determinant of health: advocating for improvements to minimum wage, social assistant rates, assisted housing – Shifting the conversation to health and wellbeing using the Canadian Index of Wellbeing – Advocating for policies for Refugee health – Advocating for a program and funds for Healthcare for Migrant Farmworkers – In partnership, developing a rural health strategy Association of Ontario Health Centres11

Strategic Direction #2: Quality Primary Healthcare Champion equitable people and community-centred quality primary health care that fulfills its mandate as the foundation of the health system. Examples: – Influencing the need for Population needs based planning – Influencing and participating in Healthy Kids Strategy – Supporting our members in Quality Improvement Plans – Reporting and monitoring the Six Commitments – Working with members to increase panel size (number of people seen by NPs and MDs) Association of Ontario Health Centres12

Strategic Direction #3: Integrated and Coordinated Promote comprehensive, integrated, coordinated health and social services Examples: – Support members in Health Links – Ensure policies and funding is in place for system navigation with social services and care for people who need it. – Ensure members data is connected to health system so they can track clients (i.e. connecting to labs and hospitals) Association of Ontario Health Centres13

Enabling Direction #1: Supporting Member Centres Support members to build capacity to continuously improve the quality and efficiency of their services. Examples: – Advocating for: Retention and Recruitment Strategies (compensation) Capital funds and policies Operational funds (base increases, funds for IM) Appropriate M-SAA and funding agreements – Deploying a common EMR to CHCs, AHACs and some NPLCs – Providing NPLC governance training – Providing education and professional learning groups for staff Association of Ontario Health Centres14

Enabling Direction #2: Research and Evaluation Lead and participate in data-driven, evidence informed research and evaluation initiatives to assess the impact of the model of health and well being on client and community outcomes. Examples of studies underway: – Complexity of Care studies – Practice profile data – Cost modelling – Team Study Association of Ontario Health Centres15

Enabling Direction #3: Strengthening AOHC AOHC will ensure it is sufficiently resourced, aligned with partners and positioned in the larger health and political environment to be an effective leader in community-governed primary health care. Examples – Strong committed staff Talent Map Review Performance Appraisals – Ensure proper Risk management – Refresh AOHC IT strategy – Robust financial strategy Association of Ontario Health Centres16

AOHC’s Board: Total 16 Directors 10 elected by regions 1 elected by Aboriginal constituency 1 elected by Francophone constituency 1 elected by CFHT constituency 3 members at large elected by AGM. – NOTE: 1 member at large brings the voice of the NPLCs to the Board. Association of Ontario Health Centres17

The role of the AOHC Board 1.Be accountable to and represent our members and AOHC’s priority populations by proactively communicating and acting on your behalf and reporting back 2.Lead the organization: determine the strategic directions. 3.Evaluate and monitor the organization 4.Use a sound governance system AOHC’s priority populations: Aboriginal peoples, Francophones, people living in poverty, racialized, new immigrants, rural, LGBT and people living with disabilities. Association of Ontario Health Centres18

Engaging with our Members 1.Through your board members 2.Through constituency meetings held 2 times per year in your LHIN area 3.Through Board to Board report issued 2 times per year 4.Through webinars (currently on an ad hoc basis) 5.Through the Annual General Membership meeting. Association of Ontario Health Centres19

For more information Association of Ontario Health Centres20