Calgary Refugee Health ProgramSettlement Division

Calgary Catholic Immigration SocietyFariborz Birjandian

RAP conference Vancouver February 2007

Airport Reception

Settlement Coordinator

MCRC Resident CaretakerMCRC

Operations Manager

Settlement Counselor Settlement Counselor

HousingAssistant

Reception Staff

HostVolunteer

CIC

Police HealthSchool Board

And ESLEmployment Other

Settlement Program

Health Program History

• Initial dialogue and MSDIF Proposal• Service Launch in summer 2002• Phase 1 - Orientation, Service Model• Phase 2 - Partnership and Program

Development, Operational Data Collection• Phase 3 - ARP and Infrastructure

Development• Phase 4 - Sustainability and Growth

Target Population

• Federally-sponsored refugees destined for Calgary

• Federally-sponsored refugees who relocate to Calgary within 1 year of arrival

• Refugee claimants

• Community-sponsored refugees

• Immigrants from refugee-like situations (family class immigrants)

Vision

A community where immigrants coming from refugee-like situations are supported in their resettlement through the pursuit of

optimal health.

Mission

To optimize the health of our clients through the provision of integrated transitional primary health care and

through enhanced access and coordination within the health system

Goals• To enhance access to and coordination of health system services

for new refugees• To provide transitional primary care to new refugees to Calgary • To increase appropriate disease prevention activities in new

refugees to Calgary • To enhance health protection services for refugees impacted by

public health or communicable disease conditions • To enhance and support health promotion strategies and initiatives

to address important refugee health issues • To advocate for and enhance responsiveness of the health system

to meet the health needs of refugees • To support health and settlement activities through improved

coordination of services and mutual support • To promote and develop the program in order to achieve its mission

Philosophy

• Successful settlement is the goal. Health services are in support of settlement.

• The health services are transitional. Clients are expected to integrate into society and the health system

• The emphasis is on enhancing access to and coordination of existing health system services rather than creating new services

Health Program Funding

– Medical Services Budget (FFS and ARP)

– Interim Federal Health

– Medical Services Delivery Innovation Fund

– Donations and in-kind contributions

Page 1

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Health Program Organizational Chart

Salim SamananiHealth Program DirectorPhysician Representative

Dr. R. MorrisPhysician

Dr. L. JonesPhysician

Valerie KissHealth Program Coordinator

And Administrator

Resettlement DivisionMargaret Styzynska

Manager

CCISFariborz BirjandianExecutive Director

Finance DivisionShiraz Bhojani

Manager

Debbie HymannManager of Public Health

8th&8th/Forest LawnCalgary Health Region

Sultana AssarResettlement Coordinator

Marylin PittPublic Health Nurse

Rose AbbottLPN Assistant

Providing Services Within MCRC

Thiru GovenderPediatric ARP

2005

Dr. L. CroftPhysician

Pascal UjoukExternal ServicesSupport Person

Calgary Health RegionPrograms

providing direct supportor resources

Grace Women’sTB Services

Sexual and Reproductive HealthThree Cheers

Immigrant Serving NGOs CIWACIASAKHB

Sudanese Chapter

Resettlement Counselors

Administration DivisionGloria Bathen

Manager

Prissy Wai WaiInternal Services Support Person

Diversity ServicesCalgary Health Region

International Medical

Graduates/Volunteer

Interpretors

Dr. J RodriguezDr. N. RashidDr. F. Hamed

Volunteers

U of CResearchers

Pediatric ARPSupport Services(Nutrition, SW)??

Nuha MajzoubClinical Support

Person

Private Donors

CommunitySpecialists

CommunityPrivate Service Providers

CommunityAgencies and

Services

Calgary Health RegionPrograms

CDCEnvironmental Health

Best BeginningsTB, STD, SAC

Health Program Activities

Access & Coordination

Administration

Clinical Services Disease Prevention

Health Protection

Health Promotion

Program Promotion and Development

Agency Support

Advocacy/Education

Specific Service Examples

Agency Support

• Health-related activities to support other CCIS service divisions

• Workshops and seminars

• Responding to staff and agency concerns and questions

Program Promotion and Development

• Strategic and operational planning

• Management and evaluation

• Quality improvement

• Identifying and recruiting partners

• Infrastructure development

• Program promotion and awareness

Administrative Services

• Data tracking and analysis• Intra and interagency communication• Management, planning, operational,

settlement, agency, and medical meetings• Administration of the program

Access and Coordination

• Engage, partner with and support• Health system

– Providers– Programs

• Immigrant-serving agencies• Clients

• Create new services

• Modify existing services

• Provide instrumental support

Clinical Services

• Triage and management of urgent conditions and client concerns (including after hours call)

• Client health intake and assessment• Follow-up of health concerns identified on

health intake• Follow-up of problems identified through

screening program• Ongoing transitional primary care

Advocacy

• Participating in conferences and workshops

• Raising awareness of issues

• Working towards system improvement and responsiveness

• Supporting the training of international medical graduates

Disease Prevention

• Systematic Screening• History• Physical Examination• Laboratory

» Blood» Stool» Urine

• Increasing Uptake of other Clinical Preventive Measures

• Vaccinations

Health Protection

• Treatment and follow-up of communicable disease conditions

• Coordination with the CDC unit

• Coordination with Environmental Health

• Coordination with TB services

• Coordination with the STD clinic

• Coordination with SAC

Health Promotion

• Health Systems Orientation• Insurance• Vision and dental services• Health system overview

• Women’s Health

• Child Health

Community-based services coordinated through program

Community providers/services that require referral only

In-houseClients

Outside Clients

Resettlement Coordinator

andCounselors

Operations(after hours)

On-CallPhysician

Program Coordinator/

Administrative Assistant

Emergencies

Urgent Care

PharmaciesHospital-based

Diagnostic Imaging

Community-based

Diagnostic Imaging

Community Dentists

Optometrists

Audiology

Family Doctors

Aids to Daily Living

Persons with Developmental

Disabilities

Orthotic/Prosthetic Devices

Regional Public Health

Communicable DiseasesSTD ClinicTB Clinic

Southern Alberta ClinicHospital-based Specialists

Fertility ClinicPediatric Cardiology

NeurologyHand Clinic

Orthopedic Cast ClinicGastroenterologyHepatitis Clinic

Diversity Services

Language Line

Early InterventionFamily PlanningBest BeginningsDental ProgramDiabetes Clinic

Hypertension ClinicPsychiatric Outpt Services

Occupational TherapyMental Health Crisis

Regional Programs

Workshops and Seminars

Contract Physician

Primary CareIntake and Screening

ReferralsTriage

Family PlanningNutrition

Instrumental Support

Family and Children Services

Survivors of Torture Program

Intra-agency Programs

Community Health Nurse

Services

Vaccinations

Community-based

Specialists

Maternity CarePediatrics

DermatologyInfectious Diseases

OtolaryngologyOpthalmology

Others less used

ReferralsAdministrative FunctionsCoordination of Services

Partner Support

Clinical Assistant/Interpreter

10/7/2004

Refugee Health Program Client Flow Diagram

Women’s HealthHealthy Pregnancy

Infant and Child HealthClothing

Sexual Health

8th and 8th Health Centre

Volunteers

Client and Services Coordinator

Alberta Health Care applicationsSchedulingFollow-ups

Client Support

Orange – ClientsBlue – Health Program

Red – The Calgary Health RegionPurple – Community Partners

Yellow – Support Positions

InternationalMedical

GraduatesClient Support Person/Educator

Margaret Chisholm Resettlement CentreHealth ProgramPhone: 265-3410Fax: 265-3411

Challenges to Service Delivery