Item - 2011.HL9.2
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on November 21, 2011 and was adopted without amendment.
HL9.2 - Toronto Public Health Newcomer Pilot Projects
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Requested that the Medical Officer of Health:
a. in partnership with the City Manager's Office and Social Development, Finance and Administration, meet with the relevant provincial and federal Ministries to:
i. share the findings of the newcomer pilot programs led by TPH; and
ii. explore ways to support stronger links between health and settlement agencies in any future federal-provincial-municipal agreements; and
b. in partnership with City Manager's Office, meet with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to discuss the findings of the TPH newcomer pilot projects and the health study The Global City: Newcomer Health in Toronto to discuss how health issues can be included in the emerging discussions about the municipal role in newcomer settlement.
2. Urged the provincial and federal governments to ensure that settlement agencies are adequately funded to support linking newcomers to health services and the social determinants required for good health.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to summarize the findings of Toronto Public Health's (TPH) two newcomer pilot projects. In addition, the report describes how establishing stronger links with newcomer settlement agencies supports TPH in meeting its mission to reduce health inequalities and deliver services that meet the health needs of Toronto’s diverse communities.
The TPH newcomer pilot projects and the newcomer health research, which is reported separately, are part of the Toronto Newcomer Initiative (TNI), a corporate-wide initiative to enhance the City's capacity to meet the needs of newcomer communities through municipal programs and services. It was funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and ran from August 2010 to October 2011.
The two pilot projects are:
1. the placement of settlement workers within TPH, and information dissemination and training with settlement workers through the Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP); and
2. the Reunification and Adaptation Project (RAP), a partnership with ten settlement agencies to support residents affected by immigration-related family separation and reunification
While many TPH services and programs are designed and delivered to address newcomer needs, the pilot projects described in this report have assisted TPH to refine and accelerate our work with newcomer communities.
Enhancing TPH links with the settlement sector is an important step in including newcomers in building a healthy city for all. Settlement agencies are well-positioned to partner in this work as they have established and trusting relationships with newcomer communities. Collaboration with the settlement sector will serve to expand the reach of TPH supports and services while increasing the capacity of the settlement sector to meet the needs of newcomers.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-42354.pdf
(November 14, 2011) Attachment 1 - Toronto Newcomer Initiative
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-42355.pdf
(November 14, 2011) Attachment 2 - Background on Local Immigration Partnerships
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-42356.pdf
(November 14, 2011) Attachment 3 - Overview of Settlement Agencies
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-42357.pdf
(November 14, 2011) Attachment 4 - Reunification and Adaptation Project
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-42358.pdf
Speakers
Emanuel Melles, Director, Programs and Capacity Building and Lead, Newcomer Strategy Team, United Way of Greater Toronto
Rabindra Nath Sabat, Program Director, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services
Believe Dhilwayo, APAA Volunteer
Celia Cruz-Hew, Library Settlement Worker, CultureLink Settlement Services