The Community Health Development Program provides support to seven independent First Nations in the area of agreement management, reporting, proposal development and other activities as requested by the communities.

The Community Health Developer works in close partnership with Sandy lake, Eagle Lake, Mishkeegogamang, Wabigoon, Kassabonika, Wabauskang, and (New Saugeen, if requested.) The purpose of community visits is to promote primary health care and to improve overall socio-economic health.

 The Community Health Developer communicates with communities and travels to communities to provide support in the areas of: proposal development and data collection, policy analysis and development, work plan development, coordinating and facilitating training, communication of new programs and funding available to First Nations, and program development, implementation and evaluation.

2003- 2004 Highlights: 

• Housing overcrowding and mould remediation efforts with Mishkeegogamang First Nation including housing needs assessments, mould surveys and community meetings
• Work with Mishkeegogamang on a social planning model to create positive change within the community
• A workshop for all Sioux Lookout Zone First Nations with funding from FNIHB Tobacco Control Program focusing on compliance and the laws for the sale of tobacco products
• Research on funding sources and submission of two proposals, one to produce anti-smoking advertisement in the Anishinabe languages, and the other to promote awareness of the early warning signs and detection of breast cancer.

New Directions

The Community Health Developer will work closely with the Health Authority’s District Health Plan and support proposal development based on community needs. The Community Health Developer will work with all the independent First Nations who request the services of the program. The CHD program is planning a youth-oriented Health Careers information database to be housed on our website (www.slfnha.com) to help youth considering pursuing a health related career. The CHD will support and promote capacity building initiatives for community workers.