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Our Voice in Action |
OPHA Takes Aim at Child Poverty
by Lorraine Telford1
OPHA, along with alPHa, took clear aim at the provincial candidates and parties to address one of the key determinants of health: poverty. Our joint Provincial Election Guide [PDF, 342kb] clearly stated our position that the government should reduce child poverty through income guarantees (social assistance and the $10 indexed minimum wage), as well as have a shelter and nutrition strategy. These structural changes are in line with the recommended approaches of the Campaign 2000 Partners — almost 100 agencies across Canada — of which OPHA is an active member (see www.campaign2000.ca - Summon to Stewardship, September, 2007).
Child and family poverty is an issue near and dear to the heart of the OPHA Child and Youth Health Workgroup. But, it is not an issue that is unique to our workgroup. As a determinant of health, poverty is being addressed by many of the OPHA workgroups, including the Food Security Workgroup, and we are working together to coordinate our advocacy efforts. We are also working to reach out to more organizations and individuals in Ontario about the health impacts of poverty on children in order to build support for a federal and provincial child poverty reduction plan that has measurable targets. Over the past year, the OPHA has responded to opinion editorials in key provincial newspapers and submitted letters to community papers to build support for the need to address poverty.
The messages are clear: "Low income families suffer … from the negative impacts of food insecurity; poor nutrition leads to increased risk for chronic and infectious diseases … We already know from the examples of the United Kingdom and Ireland, Québec and Newfoundland, poverty reduction strategies work (WHO, 2005)." (Aslanyan, G. OPHA President, Toronto Star, July 19, 2007)
Child poverty appears to be making its way slowly but surely to the policy makers' agenda. Consistent messaging and skilful advocacy will lead to the creation of an effective poverty reduction strategy. The Child and Youth Health Workgroup is focusing its energies on that goal.
1Lorraine Telford is a Public Health Nurse at Toronto Public Health.
The Ontario Public Health Volunteer Resources Management Network (VRMN)
Freshly invigorated from the successes of 2007, the Ontario Public Health Volunteer Resources Management Network (OPHVRMN) has begun to develop a work plan for 2008-09, and is inviting you to help.
Created in 2004, the OPHVRMN consists of managers of volunteer resources working in public health units across Ontario. The group has been advocating for volunteer involvement at the community, provincial and federal levels.
Lola Dubé–Quibell and Natalie Ferguson, co-chairs of the OPHVRMN agree that the group is firmly established and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
"Over the last three years, the Network has woven itself into the fabric of Public Health in Ontario, says Ms. Dubé–Quibell. "It has provided a forum for like-minded individuals to advocate for volunteer involvement in public health, discuss common challenges, provide peer support, and share best practices and resources." Mrs. Ferguson adds, "The shared learning opportunities have increased the competency level of managers of volunteer resources working within public health."
Since its inception, the group has developed a/an:
- Terms of Reference
- Environmental scan of public health units involving volunteers
- Salary/position title survey
- Standards of practice survey
- Invitation to join the network (sent to all public health units)
- Poster presentation advocating for volunteer engagement at public health units (accepted for display at the 2006 OPHA conference).
Advocacy initiatives include:
Capacity Report - The Network submitted a paper to the Capacity Review Committee in response to their Interim Report for Revitalizing Ontario’s Public Health Capacity. Some of their suggestions were integrated into the final report and the submission was formally recognised in the Final Report.
Mandatory Programs and Services Guidelines - The Network participated in the document review process by advocating for the inclusion and identification of volunteers and peer educators as human resources necessary for the most effective delivery of programs and services.
Canadian Code of Volunteer Involvement - The Canadian Code of Volunteer Involvement encourages organizations to discuss volunteer involvement and provides a framework for volunteer engagement. In 2004, only one health unit in Ontario had formally adopted the Code. Through our efforts, six additional health units and the OPHA have since adopted the Code. The Code was also presented to the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) for consideration.
National Public Health Standards and Accreditation - The Network has made a submission to the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation for consideration during the review of their standards.
Federal Cuts to the Canadian Voluntary Initiative - The Network supported Volunteer Canada by sending a letter to all members of the House of Commons.
"OPHA spearheaded the creation of the network and continues to play a significant role in our achievements," Ms. Dubé–Quibell says. The association funds the group's teleconferences and dedicates space on its website for information and resources related to volunteer management. "Furthermore, the OPHA executive has been extremely supportive of the position papers that were presented to the OPHA membership and most recently to the CPHA."
Additional support for the Network is provided by the Professional Administrators of Volunteer Resources – Ontario (PAVR-O). This association has provided meeting space for the annual face-to-face meetings and promoted the network in their 2006 conference materials.
Mrs. Ferguson says, "If you manage, supervise or coordinate volunteers in an Ontario health unit, join us!"
For more information about this network, please contact Natalie Ferguson by email at fergusonn [at] sdhu.com or by telephone (705) 522-9200, ext. 423.
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