1. 1 Program Overview Welcome!

2. 2 The Design Team: Marg Taylor, Program Director, YWCA Hamilton Vicki Edwards, Public Health Nutritionist, Public Health and Community Services Marni McFadden, Dietitian, North Hamilton Community Health Centre Maria Carreiro, Public Health Nurse, Public Health and Community Services Marilyn Kennedy, Public Health Nurse, Public Health and Community Services

3. 3 Agenda 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Background information Overview of the CPAA position Overview of the training program Application process Certification process First 18 months of CPAA program activity Lesson learned Questions

4. 4 Topic Objectives By the end of this session you will understand: The purpose of the program. The role played by CPAAs and how it contributes to the overall program mission. How CPAAs are trained, certified, and what they do. What CPAAs are not responsible for doing. How the program is administered. The successes and lessons learned to date.

5. 5 CPAA Program Introduction First of its kind in the region. Spearheaded by the Women and Families Work Group of Healthy Living Hamilton (formerly Heart Health Hamilton Wentworth). (www.doitwell.com)www.doitwell.com Includes representation from a variety of organizations.

6. 6 Program Rationale Community interest and media attention. Increased awareness of the health risks of sedentary living. Lack of consistent messaging regarding the amount and type of activity required for health. Lack of understanding of the difference between health benefits and fitness-related health benefits of various types/intensities of activity.

7. 7 CPAA Program Mission “Encourage Hamiltonians to make healthier active lifestyle choices by providing accurate and consistent education about physical activity and its benefits using a trained volunteer base. This will be accomplished through forums such as community presentations, workshops, exhibits, and energizers.”

8. 8 CPAA Program is Committed to… – Providing excellence in its training and certification program for its volunteers; – Being a high quality program; – Providing accurate, reliable and current information; – Meeting community needs; – Working in partnerships; – Developing and involving volunteers; – Developing the leadership skills of individuals and groups.

9. 9 Volunteer Peer Education Peer educators can be effective than professionals because: Their familiarity with life situations can make them empathetic and understanding of the needs of a particular target group. They can be a powerful role model for behaviour change. They understand their community and often know what strategies will be most effective. They have a broad outreach, which means more people can benefit from the services they offer.

10. 10 Who? – CPAA Qualifications An interest and an ability to learn and share information about physical activity and its benefits. Physically active on a regular basis – a good role model. Basic knowledge about maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. An ability to assist individuals and groups learn. Time to participate in the program. Ability to read and speak English. Speaking a second language is an asset. Experience in community work, leadership, or as a volunteer is an asset. CPR/First Aid training is an asset.

11. 11 Who? - Position Commitments Becoming a certified Community Physical Activity Advisor by attending an initial 10 week, 20 hour training program and successfully completing its written and practical testing components. Attending CPAA group meetings. Completing periodic refresher training and testing. Facilitating two volunteer placements per year.

12. 12 What? – Position Placements 1. Deliver Presentations/Workshops 2. Deliver Energizers 3. Attend Exhibits at Various Health Events/Fairs

13. 13 Physical Activity Generalists CPAAs are physical activity generalists – not personal trainers or specialists. CPAAs provide general recommendations to the public based largely on the recommendations in Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living.

14. 14 When? – Timing of Placements Based on personal availability and requests received from the community. Take part in a minimum of two placements over one year term. A central resource person accepts requests and circulates to the CPAAs.

15. 15 Where? – Location of Placements Placements will occur in a variety of settings within the City of Hamilton, including: – workplaces, – conferences, – meetings, – group homes and – health events/ fairs.

16. 16 Audiences Will vary from setting to setting. In general, CPAAs present to adults who are not currently living active lifestyles. This may include groups that are in need such as some immigrants and refugees.

17. 17 How?– Available Resources A central resource person responsible for receiving and assigning consumer requests to specific CPAAs. Various information resources, including Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living, and the CPAA Handbook (with associated instructional material and templates). Tools and materials needed to facilitate presentations (e.g. handouts, exhibits). The Women and Families Work Group of Healthy Living Hamilton.

18. 18 Why? – Key Results The CPAA helps to achieve the overall goals of the program by: Increasing awareness of physical activity and its benefits amongst consumers. Increasing awareness and access to physical activity information resources. Increasing awareness of Healthy Living Hamilton and its activities. Producing informative and enjoyable sessions. Encouraging consumers to be more active. Helping to increase the number of people volunteering to be CPAAs.

19. 19 CPAA Certification 50%Orientation Program Participation/ Home Assignment Completion 30%Tests for Part I and Part II of the Training (where 80% is a passing grade) 20%Practice Placement (to take place following orientation)

20. 20 Volunteer Agreement Once certified, each CPAA must sign a volunteer agreement. This signifies formal recognition of the position parameters and commitments. A copy is included in the CPAA Handbook.

21. 21 Training Program Details Twenty hours spread over ten sessions. 2 hour sessions with a 15-minute break. Pilot project March – June 2004.

22. 22 CPAA Program Mission Provide participants in the Community Physical Activity Advisor Program with the information, skills and tools they will need to effectively carry out their placements in the community.

23. 23 Program Agenda An Introduction to the Program Exploring Active Living Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living Transtheoretical Model of Change Adult Learning Principles Preparing Effective Presentations Preparing Effective Workshops Preparing an Energizer Understanding Exhibits and Transitioning to the Community

24. 24 Training Format A variety of training methods were utilized throughout the course, including: – lecture, – large and small group work, – group discussion, – brainstorming, – games and – case studies.

25. 25 Application Package CPAA position description Application form Volunteer agreement

26. 26 Application Process Complete Application Form (use space provided) with: – Current resume – Signed CPAA Volunteer Agreement Submitted by March 1, 2004

27. 27 Selection Review team screened applications. Interviews scheduled week of March 10 Reference checks completed by March 14. Successful candidates notified by March 14. Training program started Mar. 31.

28. 28 June 2004 - present 14 CPAAs completed the training program. 2 examination re-writes were required; both successful; used one-on-one coaching. 3 CPAAs have withdrawn – 1 displeased with pace of initiative (too slow) – 2 for person reasons

29. 29 June 2004 - present Of 11 current CPAAs: – 1 on temporary leave due to new child in the family – 1 has not completed any placements – 1 has completed only 1 placement – 8 have completed 24 placements – 84 placement hours completed – 1500 (+ 3500) contacts

30. 30 Evaluation Evaluation of immediate reactions only, and not lifestyle change. Utilize evaluation sheets for workshops and presentations, and energizers. Feedback has been extremely positive. More difficult to evaluate involvement at health fairs.

31. 31 Administration YWCA Hamilton: – Central administration for requests/information. – Storage and distribution of related resources. – Coordination and hosting of CPAA meetings. – Coordination volunteer recognition. – Legal entity for volunteer program. – 2 year commitment.

32. 32 Lessons Learned Recommendations: Increase session length to 2.5 or 3 hours. Enhance practical elements. Enhance energizer component. Provide specific list of activities for energizers. Enhance early and ongoing promotion of CPAA service within the community.

33. 33 QUESTIONS???

34. 34 THANKS YOU! Marg Taylor Manager, Health, Fitness, Recreation YWCA Hamilton 75 MacNab St. S. Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1 Tel: 905-522-9922 ext. 103 Fax: 905-522-1870 Email: mtaylor@ywcahamilton.org