Download pdf - COMMUNITY SUMMARY Fairview Community Health’s … · Fairview Community Health’s Community Engagement and Needs Assessment Project August 19, 2011 2 o Filled with many

FairviewCommunityHealth’sCommunityEngagementandNeedsAssessmentProjectAugust19,2011

1

COMMUNITYSUMMARYFairviewCommunityHealth’s

CommunityEngagementandNeedsAssessmentProject

August19th,2011Completedby:LauraWhite,MasterofPublicHealthStudent([email protected])

Supervisor:BronwynUnderhill,HealthPromoteratFairviewCommunityHealth(bunderhill@fhc‐chc.com)Thefollowingisasummaryoftheproject’smethods,findings,recommendationsandnext

steps.Toseethefullreport,pleasevisitFairviewCommunityHealth(5FairviewMallDrive,Suite359)orcontactBronwynUnderhill[bunderhill@fhc‐chc.com(email)or416‐640‐5298,ext.202

(phone)]andasktoseethefulldocument.FairviewCommunityHealth(FCH)isacommunityhealthcentrelocatedatDonMillsAvenue

andSheppardAvenueinToronto,Ontario.ItisasatellitebranchofFlemingdonHealthCentre.ThecentreprovidesfreehealthservicesandprogramsrelatedtothebroadsocialdeterminantsofhealthtocommunitymemberslivingintheareaborderedbyLawrenceAvenuetothesouth,SteelesAvenuetothenorth,BayviewAvenuetothewest,andVictoriaParkAvenuetotheeast.

1.MethodsForthecommunityneedsassessment,sixfocusgroupswereconducted:fourCommunity‐BasedFocusGroups;oneFocusGroupwithcurrentFCHClients;andoneFocusGroupwithYouth.

2.Results Intotal,79communitymembersparticipated.Themajorityofparticipantswerefemale;

however,therewasrepresentationfrommanyagegroupsanddifferentethno‐culturalbackgrounds.AsignificantproportionofparticipantslivedaroundtheDonMillsAvenueandSheppardAvenuearea.

Whendiscussingwhattheylikedabouttheircommunity,communitymembersidentifiedfivemainstrengthswithinthecommunity,sayingthatthecommunitywas:

o Convenientandaccessibleo Friendly,helpfulandcohesive

AcommunityengagementandneedsassessmentprojectwasconductedbyFCHfromMaytoAugust2011to: Engagewithcommunitymembersasoutreach Learnfurtheraboutthecurrenthealthissuesthatconcerncommunitymembers DiscusswaysthatFCHcanhelpaddresstheseconcerns Setprioritiesofhealthissuestounderstandwhichissuesareofgreatestconcerntocommunity

members


2

o Filledwithmanygreatresourcesandprogramso Safeandquieto Diverseandmulticultural

Intheclientfocusgroup,mostparticipantsspokeabouthowtheylikedspecificFCHprogramsand

services,findingthecentretobeveryhelpful,providingthemwithhealthinformationandwaystogettoknowotherpeople.

Asanactivitytohelpencourageparticipantstothinkabouthealth,andtheirhealth,participantsweredividedintogroupsandaskedtocompletethesentence:“IknowIamhealthywhen…”.Participantswereencouragedtoconsiderallaspectsofhealthwhenrespondingtothesentence,andtodraw,writeandbrainstormwithothersintheirgroup.

Figure1displaysexamplesfromthisactivity.

Figure1.Productsfrom“IknowIamhealthywhen…”activity Communitymembersdiscussedhealthproblemsfoundwithinthecommunity,withthemajority

ofissuesrelatingtochallengesassociatedwith:o Thehealthcaresystemo Timemanagementandbalancingcompetingpressureso Financesandemploymento Foodandnutrition

“Ifeelluckytolivehere”‐Participant


3

Communitymembersalsoidentifiedprograms,thatwouldhelpimprovetheirpersonal,families’andcommunity’shealth,andthattheywouldliketoseeofferedatFairviewCommunityHealth.TheywereaskedtoselectthetopthreeprogramsthattheywantedFCHtoinitiallyfocuson,andstartworkingonrightaway.Theselectedprogramsarelistedbelow.

PriorityProgramsIdentifiedbyCommunityMembers(Orderedfrommosttoleastpreferred)

1. Lowcostorfreedentalcareforuncoveredindividuals

2. Fitnessandrecreationalprograms

• Severalfitnessandrecreationalprogramswerepriorityareasforcommunitymembers,including:

o Yoga,meditation,dancingandexerciseclasses,suchasonesfocusingonspecificdiseasesorareasofthebody.

• Improvingthequalityandincreasingthehoursofoperationofswimmingpoolso Onefocusgroupdiscussedtheneedforawomen’s‐onlypoolorswim

program.

3. Programmingforchildrenandyouth,including:• Arts,music,sports,tutoringandotherafterschoolprograms• Aprogramaroundhealthforteenagers• Childcare

4. MoreFarmTripsandFamilyActivities

• Bothincreasingthenumberoffarmtripsandholdingthetripsonweekendswereemphasized.Participantsalsoaskedforfieldtripstootherlocations.

5. Healthcareoutsideoftheclinic,suchas:

• Ahealthhelpline,wherecommunitymemberscouldspeakwithsomeoneabouttheirhealthconcernsandcouldgettheseaddressed,aswellasbedirectedtoresourcesandservicesinthearea.

• Anafter‐hours,urgentcare,walk‐in,or24‐hourclinic

6. SkillsPrograms,including:• FrenchandOtherLanguagesClasses• EmployableSkillsforWomenWorkshops• VolunteerPrograms• FirstAidandCPRCertificationCourses


4

Participantswereaskedaboutwhatwouldhelpthemcometousethehealthcentre’sservicesandprograms.Avarietyofsuggestionsweregiven,andaregroupedunderthemajorthemesbelow.

SupportstohelpCommunityMembersattendFCH:

EnhanceCommunicadonandOutreachIneveryfocusgroup,parVcipantsdiscussedtheneedforimprovedcommunicaVonandoutreach.• Communitymemberssuggestedusingavarietyofmethods,includingemails,flyersandthecentre’swebsite,topromotethehealthcentreanditsprogramsandservices.

• CommunitymemberssuggestedtranslaVngbrochures,posVngflyersandpromoVngthecentreatLINCandESLclasses,aswellasatschools.

• PromoVngFCH’sbenefitsasaCHCandanalternaVvetothetradiVonalmodelsofmedicalcarewasrecommendedasastrategyforFCHtouse.

Offerprogramsandservicesinotherlanguages‐ParVcipantsinallfocusgroupsindicatedthatofferingservicesandprograms(parVcularlyonesusingmedicalterms)inthefirstlanguagesofcommunitymemberswouldhelpenablethemtousetheservicesandprogramsatthehealthcentre.

‐AddiVonally,translaVngbrochuresandotherinformaVonwouldhelpmorepeoplelearnaboutFairviewCommunityHealth,andhealthinformaVon.

PriorityProgramsContinued…7. Mentalhealthprogramming

• Acampaignraisingawarenessaroundmentalhealth,andstressmanagementclasses,werebothidentifiedaspriorityprogramsintwodifferentfocusgroups.

• CommunitymembersdiscussedtheneedforfurthercounselingatFCH,eitherthroughapsychologistorapsychiatrist.

8. Otherpriorityareas,including:

• Lowcostorfreeeyecareforseniors• Programsforcommunitymembersovertheageof50


5

Theyouthfocusgroupidentifiedprogramsandservicesthatyoungpeoplewouldliketosee

offeredwithinthecommunity,andatFCH.Thetopthreeprogramsselectedbyyouthparticipantswere(inorder):

MorediversehoursfromprogramsandservicesCommunitymembersaskedforprogramsandservicestobeoffereda]erschool,andintheevenings,onSaturday,andonholidays.• OfferingallprogramsandservicesonSaturdayswastheclientfocusgroup’sfirstpriorityprogram,whenaskedtoindicatetheareathattheywantedFCHtofocusonfirst.

ConVnuedconnecVonwiththecommunity‐CommunitymembersexpressedappreciaVonforthefocusgroupsandindicatedthatFairviewCommunityHealthshouldconVnuewiththeirwillingnesstoservethecommunity,acceptfeedback,andhelpthecommunitymembersbuildcommunityspirit.

‐CommunitymemberswantedFairviewCommunityHealthtoactasaninformaVonhub,wherecommunitymemberscouldcometofindoutaboutacVviVesandserviceswithinthecommunity.

PriorityProgramsforYouth

1. AnonymousHIVtesting,sex,drugandalcoholclinics,andsafesexclasses

2. Helpwithmoneyandemployment(findingjobs,workshopsonjobskillsandworkers’rights)

3. Survivalclubforthewilderness


6

Theparticipantsalsoindicatedmethodsforreachingouttoyouth,andinformingthemaboutprograms.

YouthOutreachMethodsincluded:

SuggestionsonFeaturesofYouthPrograms:

• Makeannouncementsatschools,andontheschoolwebsites• Useschools'emaillist‐servs• Connectwiththeguidanceofficeatschools• Visitschoolstodiscussprograms

Connectwithschools

• UseFacebook,email,textsandtwicerUseSocialMedia

• Placeflyersandpostersatlibraries• Youthindicatedthatmanycommunitymembers,parVcularlynewcomers,usethelibrariestolearnaboutvolunteerandcommunityopporuniVesandevents.

OutreachatLibraries

• Thewebsite,flyersandpromoVonalmaterialsshouldbevisuallyexciVngandinteresVng.

BecreaVve

Elementstoincludeinyouthprograms

Havesnacks!

Offervolunteerhours(goodincenVvefor

parVcipaVon)

Involvedifferentacdvidesandfieldtrips

YouthLed(Programleadershouldbeayouth)

Considerdifferentdmesforprograms

• A]erschoolprogramsaregood,butshouldincludehomeworkVme

• Weekendsmaybebecerforuniversitystudents

• Mostyouthagreedsummerprogramsweregreat,becausetherewasmorefreeVme


7

3.RecommendationsOneofthepurposesoftheprojectwastoinformFCH’sprograms,servicesandfutureactions.Thefollowingsectionoutlinestherecommendationsfromtheproject,arrangedintothreeareas:ProgramPlanning;CommunicationandOutreach;andPartnershipsandAdvocacy.Withineacharea,therecommendationsaregroupedeitherunder‘establish’(startatFCH),or‘enhance’(continueandimproveatFCH).FCHhasmadespecificcommitmentstoworkingontheserecommendations.Nexttoeachrecommendationarethecorrespondingactionareasthathavebeendiscussed,andcommittedto,byFCHstaff.Theseactionareasarecategorizedaccordingto:

‘Immediateplans’:Plansthathavebeendecideduponandwilltakeplace ‘Explore’:Ideasandoptionsthatwillbeconsideredtodeterminewhatisfeasible ‘ExplorePartnerships’:Potentialpartnershipsthatshouldbeexplored,andestablished

partnershipsthatshouldbeenhanced,toaddressspecificissuesManyoftheseactionareasinvolvedexploringdifferentideasandoptionstoaddressthehealthconcernsandsuggestionsmadebycommunitymembers.

PROGRAMPLANNING

Recommendation ActionAreas

ESTABLISH

1. DiversifyhoursofoperationatFCH(includingafterschool,eveningsandweekends).

2. Considerwalk‐inclinicoptionorestablishanintakecounselorthatcanaddresscommunitymembers’questionsanddirectthemtoservicesandresources.

ImmediatePlans: Reorganizeandupdateresourcewallwithin

FCH.

Explore: Differentmethodsofintake. Ideaofpostinglocationsof24‐hourandwalk‐in

clinicsinFairviewCommunityHealth’slobby,andincludinginvoicemailmessageafterhours.

Promotingafter‐hourscare(on‐callservices)providedthroughFlemingdonHealthCentre.


8

3. Setupyouthpriorityprograms.

ImmediatePlans: IncludeYouthMemberonAdvisoryBoard,or

Establish'YouthTaskForce'toadviseonFCH'soperations,programsandservices.

Explore: SpeakwithTorontoPublicHealthandother

agenciestodeterminefeasibilityofsettingupSexualandReproductiveHealth,andDrugsClinic.

IdeaofInterfaithProgram(connectwithreligiousorganizationsinthecommunitytodiscussideaandfeasibility).

ENHANCE

4. Setupmorechildren’sprogramming. ImmediatePlans: Currently,thereareparentingprograms

offeredinpartnershipwithTorontoPublicHealth,andSpeechandLanguageProgramsofferedonsite.

5. Providemorespace,andtime,forsocialnetworkingandevents.

6. Enhancefamilyprogramming.

7. Runmoreprogrammingaround:• Yogaandfitness• Womenandseniors

ImmediatePlans: FairviewCommunityHealthiscommittedto

runningawomen’sgroup,withyoga,onaweeklybasisinthefall,ensuringmorecontinuedprogrammingforwomen.

8. Runeducationandskillsworkshopsperiodically.

ImmediatePlans: TheLocalImmigrationProjectiscurrently

organizingavolunteerprogramforcommunitymemberstodeveloptheirskillsintheir‘CivicEngagementWorkingGroup’.

9. EnhanceMentalHealthProgramming. Explore: IdeaofMentalHealthMonth

10. Enhancefoodandnutritionprograms.


9

COMMUNICATIONANDOUTREACH


ESTABLISH

1. TranslateFCHflyersandhealthinformationintootherlanguages.

ImmediatePlans: Newoutreachmaterialsarebeingdeveloped,

andwillbetranslatedintoFarsiandMandarin.

2. EstablishcommunicationstrategiestokeepclientsofFCHinformedandinvolved:• Example:EmailListserv,Facebook

andothersocialmediatools,FCH’swebsite.

3. Workwithcommunityanimatorsorpeerhealthambassadorsthatbelongtothemale,youth,seniorandLGBTQcommunities.

ImmediatePlans: FCHisanestablishedpositivespaceforall

communitymembers.ThereisaPositiveSpaceposterdisplayedinFCH’slobby.

ExplorePartnershipswith: AccessAllianceandGriffinCentretoassist

withoutreachtoLGBTQcommunitymembers.

ENHANCE

4. Provideprogramsinotherlanguages.Enhanceinterpretationservices.

ImmediatePlans: PeerHealthAmbassadorsProgramatFCHwill

enableprogramstobeprovidedinotherlanguages.

5. Continuetoworkwithcommunitymemberstoconductoutreach.

ImmediatePlans: FCHhasalreadystarteddiscussing

partnershipandoutreachstrategieswithschoolsandlibrariesinthearea.

6. Continuetoconnectwithcommunitymemberstoreceivetheirinputonprogramsandservices,andtogettheirfeedback.

Explore: FCHwillbeinvolvedwithFlemingdonHealth

Centre’snextclientfeedbacksurvey.Thissurveywillbeanimportantmechanismtogetfeedbackfromclients.


10

PARTNERSHIPSANDADVOCACY


ESTABLISH

1. WorkwithTorontoPublicHealth’sDentalProgram,andDentalHygienistSchoolstodevelopstrategiesforprovidinglowercostorfreedentalcareforcommunitymembersthatarenotcovered.

ImmediatePlans: SpeakwithmanagerofDentalHealthUnit

thatworkswithFairviewCommunityHealth. Setupresourcesondentalhealthandcareat

FCHfrontdeskforcommunitymembers.

2. Workwithcommunityagenciestoestablishanotherurgentcareclinic,particularlyforchildren,orlinkstourgentcareclinic.

Explore: IdeaofMobile‘CommunityInfoSessions’: IdeaofWalk‐inClinicwithFairview

InteragencyNetwork.

3. WorkwithCityofToronto’sParksandRecreationtodevelopfitnessandrecreationalprograms.

4. WorkwithCCACandothercommunityservicesaroundseniors’supports(homecare,eyecare,etc.)

ENHANCE

5. Workwithothercommunityagenciesandcommunityhealthcentresaroundkeystructuralhealthissues,suchasdentalcoverageandwaitingperiodforOHIP.

ImmediatePlans: TheHealthPromoteratFCHisthecurrentco‐

chairoftheFairviewFoodSecurityNetworkandtheCommunityHealthCentreFoodSecurityNetwork.

6. Collaboratewithchildcareagenciestoprovidemorechildcareoptionsandaffordableprograms.

ImmediatePlans: TheLocalImmigrationProjectiscurrently

exploringthisissueintheir‘HealthWorkingGroup’.

ExplorePartnershipswith: SenecaCollege’sEarlyChildhoodEducation

Program.


11

7. Workwithfoodbanks,MealsonWheels,andbreakfastclubsintheareatoaddressfoodinsecurityissuesidentified.

8. ConnectwithNorthYorkGeneralHospitaltodiscussissuesandexperiencesofcommunitymembersatthehospital.

4.ConclusionThisprojectwassmallinscale;however,itmanagedtomeettheobjectivessetout.TheprojecthelpedtoengagewithcommunitymemberssotheycouldlearnfurtheraboutFCH,aswellastoidentifyhealthissuesaffectingcommunitymembersandthespecificprogramsandservicesthatcouldaddresstheseconcerns.FairviewCommunityHealthstaffmembersarecommittedtoexploringdifferentideastoaddresstheissuesidentifiedwithinthisassessment,andtherecommendationsoutlinedabove.Changewilltaketime,andwillrequirethecontinuedinvolvementof,andfeedbackfrom,communitymembers,aswellassustainedcommitmentfromFCHstaff.

5.AcknowledgementsTheauthorwouldliketoacknowledgeandthankthecommunitymembersthatparticipatedin

theprojectfortheirinvolvementandfeedback,aswellasthecommunityanimatorsfortheirhardworkandinputintheproject.SpecialthanksarealsogiventoBronwynUnderhill,SuzanneJacksonandShobhaOzafortheirsupportandguidance,aswellasthestaffofFairviewCommunityHealthfortheirencouragementandcommitmenttothisproject,engagingwithcommunitymembersandrespondingtothefindings.ThankyoualsotoMPPDavidCaplanandCouncillorShelleyCarrollfortheirsupportandcontributingtotheproject.

Finally,theauthorwouldliketoacknowledgeandthankthefollowingorganizationsthat

providedfinancial,andin‐kinddonationstotheproject:

TorontoPublicLibraries OntarioScienceCentre ShoppersDrugMartatFairviewMall SilverCityFairviewMallCinemas Bruno’sValu‐Martat33UnderhillDrive FoodBasicsat1277YorkMillsRoad TimHortons(2501VictoriaParkAvenueand2075Sheppard

AvenueEastLocations)

Thisprojectwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheirsupport.