January 2011 - In Addition…

The Ontario Public Health Convention (TOPHC)

OPHA, the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP), and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), will be hosting the inaugural Ontario Public Health Convention (TOPHC) in Toronto from April 5-8, 2011.

Registration is now open. Early bird registration is available until March 4, 2011 and includes the following:

  • Access to all sessions
  • Breakfast on Thursday April 7th, and Friday April 8th, 2011
  • Lunch and coffee/nutrition breaks scheduled between April 6th – 8th, 2011

For the latest information, please visit the TOPHC website.

 

Social Determinants and Community Food Advisors

NRC Program Coordinator Elizabeth Smith will be presenting a poster at the Ryerson University Conference Promoting Health Equity: Action on the Social Determinants of Health, February 11-12th, 2011, at the Marriott Eaton Centre.

 

New Round of Healthy Community Grants

The guidelines and applications for local/regional and provincial Healthy Communities Grant Fund (HCF) grants are now available on the website of the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport. The deadline for local/regional grant applications is Monday, February 14, 2011. Expressions of interest for provincial grants were due January 14th.

All HCF grant projects must address at least two of the six health promotion priorities and outcomes as outlined in the application guidelines. Applicants requiring assistance with this integrated approach can contact the Healthy Communities Consortium or a Regional Advisor as outlined on the MHPS website. All applicants must consult with a Ministry Regional Advisor or Ministry Program Coordinator before submitting their application.

 

Healthy Schools Recognition Program

The Healthy Schools Recognition Program promotes and celebrates healthy behaviours and practices in Ontario's schools. Schools pledge to take on a healthy activity in their school – and receive recognition for it. Schools can start a new activity or build on an existing one.

The Premier and the Minister of Education will recognize participating schools with a certificate and pennant. A list of participating schools is posted on the Ministry of Education's website.

Now in its fifth year, the Healthy Schools Recognition Program encourages school communities to pledge to do something healthy, such as:

  • Planting a vegetable garden on school grounds
  • Establishing a daily running or walking club
  • Starting a recycling or composting program
  • Inviting health professionals to speak with students about fitness and teen health.

Schools have until April 8, 2011 to submit their pledge.