Component: IHWS – Supportive Resources, Training and Capacity Building

Legislation: Ministry of Community and Social Services Act

Service objectives

  • Enhance the capacity of Indigenous partners and service providers for health policy and planning, culturally responsive service delivery, and community and resource development

Service Description

  • Community development support workers: provide services and supports to member communities to enhance their skills and capacity to design, implement and report on IHWS programs
  • Health policy analysts: facilitate policy development to address the broader areas of health, healing, wellness, and family violence in Indigenous communities
  • Indigenous health planning authorities: responsible for planning related to wholistic community and regional health, healing, and wellness services, including service planning, ongoing liaison and engagement with member communities
  • Za-Geh-Do-Win information clearinghouse: acquires, develops, maintains, and disseminates Indigenous-specific resource materials
  • Aboriginal shelters of Ontario: provide training and capacity building to improve the delivery of services to Indigenous survivors of violence

People served

  • Services are primarily provided to Indigenous communities and organizations
  • Member communities may include First Nations, Métis Councils, Friendship Centres, local chapters or councils, etc

Program / Service Features

The program/services contracted by the Ministry will reflect the following features

  • Indigenous cultural approaches are reflected or used as a part of the activities and services

Specific service provided may include

Community development support workers

  • Support member communities with the design, implementation and/or management of IHWS-funded programs and projects, including the maintenance of required program, service and financial reporting, which may include performance measurement and program evaluation initiatives
  • Support member communities with the development and coordination of community development initiatives
  • Communicate key program-related information to member communities, including information and reminders regarding reporting timelines
  • Provide community development assistance, resources and training to member communities to improve operations, such as administrative processes, policies and procedures

Health policy analysts

  • Conduct research, data analysis and/or policy development with respect to identifying and documenting existing and emerging healing, health, wellness and family violence priorities in Indigenous communities
  • Advocate for member communities’ identified needs, priorities, challenges and barriers
  • Communicate/share information with member communities and organizations, e.g., policy issues/concerns, research findings/results, toolkits, funding and learning/training opportunities, outcomes of community engagements, etc.
  • Build relationships and facilitate engagements with member communities and organizations, as well as government partners
  • Serve as a representative on relevant committees and share information gained to member communities or organizations, as deemed appropriate by individual organizations
  • Communicate with member communities, organizations and other partners using a variety of methods and tools, such as information summaries (e.g., newsletters), options or position papers, briefing notes, presentations, etc.

Indigenous health planning authorities

  • Community Engagement: identify emerging health issues/trends from a wholistic lens and share information and resources with member communities, including community leadership and frontline staff
  • Program & Strategic planning: short and long-term planning and coordination to identify health service gaps, emerging health issues, community priorities and strategies to address issues
  • Research and data collection: may include developing, implementing, identifying and/or supporting research projects to support health policy and planning
  • Policy analysis/synthesis and advice: may include analysis of research, data and community engagements to develop policies, strategic plans, and/or advice to improve Indigenous healing, health and wellness
  • Gatherings & Networking: organize networking opportunities and gatherings for frontline staff, community leaders, member communities and other relevant parties to improve policy research, analysis and development, information/knowledge sharing, partnerships, and collaboration
  • Advocacy: advocate on behalf of member communities and/or support senior leadership with advocacy, as appropriate or requested

Za-Geh-Do-Win information clearinghouse

  • Provide services to Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as non-Indigenous organizations, and individuals requesting information and assistance regarding Indigenous-specific resource materials
  • Collect, compile, develop, catalogue, and distribute Indigenous-specific information, resource materials, research and documents regarding family violence, family healing and health
  • Offer community workshops, training, and presentations to provide information on Indigenous health, family violence and healing
  • Organize outreach and communication activities, including knowledge sharing and engagement at community events and/or online platforms, as well as publish and distribute newsletters in printed and electronic versions

Aboriginal shelters of Ontario

  • Support the development and capacity of Indigenous women’s shelters and family healing programs through
  • Ongoing training
  • Dedicated support and advice to address operational issues and build organizational capacity
  • Provide training to non-Indigenous agencies and organizations (as able and appropriate) to support them in understanding and addressing the unique needs of Indigenous survivors of violence, including police and justice services, health and social service agencies, child welfare, etc.

Reporting requirements

Year-end narrative report

  • Transfer payment recipients (TPRs) are required to complete a consolidated year-end narrative report provided by the ministry for all funded IHWS Community Development, Policy & Planning Programs

Service Data

  • The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets
Service Data Name Definition

# of Trainings and Community Support Activities: ICDPP

The total number of training sessions and community support activities provided to communities and organizations in the reporting period. Activities include training, field/site visits, gatherings/meetings, and community engagements.
Each activity held during the reporting period should be counted as “1”. If none are provided, put “0”.

# of Communities / Organizations: Accessed Training & Community Support: ICDPP

The total number of unique communities/organizations who accessed/received training sessions and community support activities in the reporting year. Activities may include training, field/site visits, gatherings/meetings, and community engagements.

Each unique community/organization should be counted only once per reporting period. If none are supported, put “0”.

# of Resources Developed: ICDPP

The total number of unique resources developed, such as toolkits, policy and research papers, newsletters, e-bulletins, social media resources (e.g., videos, factsheets), manuals, training documents, etc.

Each unique resource developed during the reporting period should be counted as “1”. If none are developed, put “0”.

Ministry-funded Agency Expenditures: ICDPP

Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver IHWS Community Development, Policy & Planning Programs in the reporting year (cumulative).