Report No. 035-12

TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Health
FROM: Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health
DATE: 2012 March 22

Middlesex-London Healthy Community Partnership

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Middlesex-London Board of Health endorse the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Healthy Communities Fund Partnership Stream funding agreement attached as Appendix A to Report No. 035-12.

Background

The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport (MHPS) initiated the Healthy Community Fund (HCF) initiative in 2009.  The premise for the Healthy Community Fund was to achieve the Ministry’s vision of Healthy Communities working together and Ontarians leading healthy and active lives.  The HCF has three components: the grant projects stream; the resource stream; and the partnership stream.  Health Units were requested to take the lead on the partnership stream to promote coordinated planning and action among community groups to create local policies that make it easier for Ontarians to be healthy. 

The Middlesex-London Healthy Community Partnership (HCP) was formed and, through community consultations from September 2009 to February 2010, two policy priority areas were identified - physical activity and mental health promotion. Two work plans, one in each priority area, were submitted to the MHPS in April 2010.   Shortly after the initial work plans were approved, the MHPS put a hold on the HCF initiative. 

In November 2011, a reorganization of provincial ministries resulted in the health promotion activities of the MHPS moving to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC).  In January 2011, public health units were notified by MOHLTC staff that the HCP was continuing and funding was available until March 31^st, 2012.  Those health units interested could resubmit their work plans and funding requests by mid-February, but only work plans falling under 2 priority areas, healthy eating and physical activity, would be eligible for funding. 

Physical Activity Policy Action Team

The original work plan in the physical activity priority area, approved in April 2010, involved the specific objective of having local municipalities endorse the international Toronto Charter for Physical Activity.

During the time that the HCP was on hold, the Physical Activity Policy Action Team (PAPAT) was formed and continued its work toward achieving this objective.  Therefore, when the MOHLTC put out the call for resubmitting work plans, Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) with the support from the PAPAT, was in a good position to fine tune the previous work plan for resubmission and requested up to $35,500 as one time funding to be spent by March 31^st, 2012.

Health Unit staff members were notified on February 15^th that the work plan has been approved by the MOHLTC and the agreement supporting the funding has since been forwarded.  For this project, the Health Unit will function as the project steward responsible for administration and project management, partner development, community mobilization, and communication with the community and the MOHLTC.

Conclusion

This Healthy Communities Fund one time funding opportunity from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care enhances the ability of Health Unit staff to be successful in the areas of partnership development, community mobilization and, in particular, local policy development. These activities are within the scope of public health and are known to support the enhancement of a healthy community for all. The physical activity focus of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care approved funding submission also falls within the objectives of the Board of Health Strategic Plan Direction for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.

This report was prepared by Ms. Mary Lou Albanese, Manager, Healthy Communities and Injury Prevention Team, Environmental Health and Chronic Disease Prevention Services.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health

This report addresses the following requirement(s) of the Ontario Public Health Standards:
Chronic Diseases and Injuries Program Standards of Chronic Disease Prevention 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12 and that of Prevention of Injury and Substance Misuse 2, 4, 5.
and the 2011 MLHU Strategic Direction: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.