April 2010 - Program Updates

Heart Health Resource Centre

Since 1993 the Heart Health Resource Centre (HHRC) has provided capacity-building supports and resources to community partners and public health professionals working in the Ontario Heart Health Program (OHHP). In May 2009, the Ministry for Health Promotion (MHP) announced the creation of the Healthy Communities Fund, changing the provincial health promotion landscape. Former community partnerships under the OHHP will form Healthy Communities Partnerships, with a broadened mandate and partnership base to build healthy communities.

The former Ontario Health Promotion Resource System (OHPRS) is also undergoing a transformation. At the direction of the MHP, the HHRC, Healthy Communities Support Services, the Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership, and the Health Promotion Hub have formed the Healthy Communities Consortium/Consortium pour la promotion des communautés en santé. The mandate of the Consortium is to increase the capacity of those working within the Healthy Communities Fund: Grant and Partnerships streams.

The Consortium offers a comprehensive mix of services including consultations, webinars, regional workshops, resources, networking, referrals and information and knowledge exchange. Clients can access the services of any Consortium member through the website www.hcconsortium.ca (en français www.consortiumcs.ca) and by phone 1-800-766-3418.

Through this time of transition, the HHRC has provided support to local Partnerships through one-on-one coaching sessions, on-site consultation, and the development of several electronic resources. Recently the HHRC held a provincial training event titled “Building Blocks for Community Planning” which was attended by more than 150 people. Looking ahead, the HHRC will offer several webinars on policy development and governance models as well as develop accompanying resources. Please visit www.hhrc.net to learn more about our resources, webinars, and services.

Over the next few months, Consortium members, the MHP, and a consulting firm will be working together to determine how the Consortium will move forward within the Healthy Communities Ontario approach. We look forward to working together to support communities in becoming Healthy Communities.