March 2009 - Program Updates

Public Health Core Competency Performance Management Project

by Tina Wadham, Program Coordinator

The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) — in partnership with the City of Hamilton Public Health Services, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and Toronto Public Health — is working on a Health Force Ontario project to develop a performance management framework for Public Health Core Competencies and accompanying competency-based performance management tools to both build and strengthen capacity among public health units across Ontario.

Environmental Scanning

Work began on this project in October of 2008. Results from a survey of public health units, conducted in December 2008 indicated that just over 50% of responding units had taken steps to integrate Public Health Core Competencies in their performance and development processes and tools. Health units were at different levels of preparedness with the majority in the development and implementation phases. Among the discipline-specific associations, work was focused primarily on the development of discipline-specific competencies.

The scan also identified barriers to implementing Public Health Core Competencies. Barriers that were shared by all groups, including: time, competing organizational priorities, lack of resources to implement, the capacity to implement, the need to align with mandated systems, and having varying levels of understanding of the core competencies. Despite these barriers, there was great interest in the prospect of integrating the Public Health Core Competencies further. There was a consistent need expressed for the development of competency-based performance management tools including: performance assessment resources, performance planning, and performance development resources.

Shaping a Competencies-Based Performance Management Framework

On February 13, 2009 a group of project stakeholders convened in Toronto to engage in a discussion and help the project partners shape the development of a competency-based performance management framework and tools. Participants identified three priorities for tool development: a competency-based performance management appraisal tool, a competency dictionary, and a competency-based learning, and a development planner. They recommended that the tools be easy to use, available electronically, and be adaptable so as to fit within existing performance management systems.

Tools Development and Pilot Testing

A human resources consultant has been hired to develop the tools. OPHA and its project partners will continue to engage stakeholders in activities that will help to validate and test these tools. A consensus meeting will be held on April 15th with OPHA Constituent Societies and project partners. The draft competency-based performance management framework and related tools will be discussed. By the end of May, selective pilot testing will begin at a limited number of public health units.

Anticipated products

At project completion, a competency-based performance management toolkit will be available for use across Ontario public health unit. It will include:

  • a guidebook;
  • an employee self assessment tool;
  • a performance planner;
  • an interim performance review tool;
  • an annual performance evaluation tool; and
  • a development/learning planner.

While some public health units may use the toolkit in its entirety, others may choose to use individual tools that complement their existing performance management systems. We are developing the tools in a format that will allow for individual public health unit customization.

By making these competency-based performance management tools available for use, we hope to strengthen the Ontario public health workforce and increase our capacity to serve the Ontario population.

 

TVOKids Don’t Sit Still Tour: Promoting Healthy Bodies and Minds

by Mary Ellen Prange, Program Coordinator, Healthy Eating and Active Living, Nutrition Resource Centre

Through a grant received from the Ministry of Health Promotion, OPHA, through its Nutrition Resource Centre, is administering sponsorship funding and assisting with the execution of the TVOKids Don't Sit Still Tour 2009. (Download the press release [PDF]).

As the official sponsor of the DSSTour, EatRight Ontario — one of the key initiatives of Ontario's Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) — will receive both on-air and on-site recognition. The Nutrition Resource Centre, also funded by the HEAL Action Plan, plays a key role in promoting EatRight Ontario and its services.

Now entering its eighth year, the DSSTour is an interactive, high-energy, live stage show that encourages children to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Based on the TVOKids Don’t Sit Still television and on-line brand, the DSSTour features the popular TVOKids’ television personalities and travels to communities across Ontario. This grassroots initiative spreads the message to thousands of children about the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle in a fun and engaging way. Children and their parents will enjoy new songs, new dance moves, and non-stop opportunities to join in and follow along.

Beginning February 21 with shows in Oshawa and Peterborough and wrapping up in November, the 2009 DSSTour includes 21 shows and is expected to attract 10,000 parents and kids. Admission is free and all kids will receive a free Don't Sit Still give-away bag filled with fun activities. The show is targeted to kids aged 5 to12 years old, but younger kids are welcome to join in with their older brothers and sisters!

Click here for a listing of Don't Sit Still Tour dates and locations.

Don't Sit Still Promotional Image.