Joan,

                Maybe some more background will help 'prove it,' or at
least indicate the direction we want to move in.

                The function of the Clearinghouse's first operational
centre, in Toronto, is to provide logistical and technical support for
our distributed network of affiliate partners. Future plans include the
establishment of two additional operational centres.

                Each affiliate partner will be responsible for resource
identification and qualification for a specific group, issue or region.
These contractors will be charged with connecting with regional and
local networks, and recruiting the associate partners/information
providers.  Affiliate partners will identify network gaps at the
national, regional and local levels, and identify organizations that
require assistance in making their resources more widely available.

                We're currently working with 24 organizations to
identify candidates for Clearinghouse partnerships and prove the concept
of this approach to decentralized network mapping and capacity
development.  This initial exercise has resulted in in-depth interviews
with 1,200 organizations from across the country and is an indication of
the Clearinghouse's commitment to build a network capable of supporting
local health promotion action.  When the reports of the current
contracts are in, we would be happy to provide you with the list of
organizations we hope will agree to form the first band of our network.




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joan Feather [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, April 20, 1998 10:39 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Health Promotion Information Centre
>
> Liz, I appreciate the effort, but it's hard to be convinced.  If there
> is
> so much emphasis on "local" as you say (which I have not seen before
> in
> any of the more "officially released" information about the NPHC),
> then
> why (for example) are all the personnel resources being advertised for
> Toronto as the base?  Where are the resources to enable
> local/provincial/regional networks capitalize on their abilities to
> support local health promotion action?  Convince me.
>
>
> Joan Feather, Coordinator
> Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre
> University of Saskatchewan
> Health Sciences Building
> 107 Wiggins Road
> SASKATOON SK S7N 5E5
> Canada
> Phone: (306) 966-7932
> Fax: (306) 966-7920
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> On Sat, 18 Apr 1998, Liz Rykert wrote:
>
> > Hi All - it has been awhile since I have posted to Click4hp ... but
> wanted
> > to comment on the posting from Sam -
> >
> > At 11:25 AM 4/18/98 -0400, Sam Lanfranco wrote:
> > >While I welcome the news of a policy commitment and funding for
> using this
> > >electronic venue for health promotion, I worry that a highly
> centralized
> > >solution has been funded in circumstances where a very
> decentralized
> > >(nested and linked) solution is called for.
> > >
> > In fact the HP Information service Sam is referring to is the
> National
> > Population Health Clearinghouse - a working title - and it is being
> designed
> > to build on the existing networks and organizations. At this point
> networks
> > are being mapped locally by local groups and organizations and
> networks will
> > discuss what they have contribute and how they would like to
> participate.
> >
> > Core policies and criteria for information is being developed so end
> users
> > will be aware of the source and the credibility of the information.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >Health promotion is not like wheat. One does not gather "knowledge"
> > >into large silos and then try to get it the bakers. Health
> promotion is
> > >about turning communities, organizations and individuals into
> learning
> > >communities, organizations and individuals as they build capacity
> to deal
> > >with their health and their impact on health. It is a particiaptory
> and
> > >more decentralized process - calling for local wisdom and
> judgement, not
> > >just access to remote resources.
> > >
> >
> > I can't agree with you more Sam - the service will be using online
> > searchable databases as one feature of the web based resource and
> the
> > capacity personalize your interests and type of information. It will
> be
> > supported by other points of access including call centres, fax back
> and
> > other services to ensure those beyond the web interface can get at
> the info
> > - but - it will be linking people back to their local communities,
> and
> > groups to build on the ability to find out how you can get involved
> locally
> > and or where the closest program or service is if that is what
> people are
> > interested in.
> >
> > The intention is to work with your concepts around "nested" networks
> of
> > networks and the service becomes the orchestrating of the "zone
> play" as you
> > have taught me so well.
> >
> > There are many local examples of exciting health promotion
> activities and
> > resources available but it is hard to know where or who or how to
> get at
> > it...at times - not always! :-)
> >
> > It is the goal, as I see it, to see the NPHC grow and build over
> time and to
> > use the technology appropriately so local information providers not
> only
> > have a way to let others know what it is out there but give them the
> skills
> > and capapcity to build their working knowledge about what works for
> their
> > community in sharing out information in publicly accessible ways. It
> is a
> > two (or more :-) way flow and relationship. New partnerships - new
> > relationships - and ultimately greater access to good reliable
> health
> > information on health promotion and population health issues whether
> you are
> > a member of the public or a community worker or a health
> professional - let
> > alone a policy maker or academic.
> >
> > It isn't an "either or" - Some local staff support is required to
> develop
> > the systems and maintain them and to support the local partners and
> > participants. But it is the local information and exisiting networks
> which
> > will make this service a vital and lively collaboration and resource
> for
> > Canadians.
> >
> > I have been working on the development of the service with many
> others in
> > both the government and NGO sector.
> >
> > Cheers - Liz Rykert
> >