Recently there was a discussion on this list about the actions (or non
actions) of public health departments on determinants of health.  In
fact,  the Community Health Dept I work at was mentioned by someone,  as
being involved in some related activities.  Some of you emailed me
directly and wondered why I wasn't responding -  sorry,  but we were
still involved in internal discussions about a re-organization.  I can
now share that with you,  and invite discussion with you.

The Region of Waterloo, Community Health Department is in the process of
creating a new division:  Health Determinants, Planning and Evaluation.
The general purpose is to facilitate the development of programs and
policies (both within the corporation and communities at large) related
to social, economic and environmental factors which affect health.  To
accomplish this,  a group of approximately 22 staff will initiate and
promote approaches to policy development that are based on complementary
strategies (empowerment research, healthy communities approaches,
partnerships and collaboration).  In our work,  we will accept that
sustained community action comes from a blending of "bottom up" and "top
down" approaches.

We will be using the comprehensive work of Hancock, Labonte and Edwards,
1999(recently discussed on this list) as our planning framework.
(Incidently in my view,  this  has been the most helpful work I have
seen,  in terms of advancing action on health determinants, and I urge
others to read it, and I thank you -  Trevor, Ron and Rick for your
contribution.)

Our division will have 3 "units"
1.  Epidemiology and data support - we have this in place now,  so its
being "rolled into" this new division.

2.  Planning and Evaluation
- will provide the lead and coordinating role on planning and evaluation
research undertaken by the department
- our research approaches will be broad,  however in all cases the
research undertaken will be empowering to community groups, and focused
on program development and change.
- will promote cooperation between local university departments and
research groups, and bring to a common research table,  bodies focusing
on particular sectors,  in order to develop a unified voice to influence
policy
- will support communities' use of knowledge and evidence to expand
strategies and influence policies
- will build partnerships with health care sector planning groups,  and
begin to develop common agendas with them

3.  Healthy Communities and Policy
- will stimulate and support and facilitate community actions related to
social, economic and environmental determinants
- through community based consultation will develop a healthy public
policy agenda
- linking and support to neighbourhhod clusters (we've identified 14
such clusters based on a recent capacity assessment)  - will focus on
facilitation of neighbourhood planning,  rather than promoting specific
projects or issues
- will build on the neighbourhood capacity areas, to help them position
themselves to make use of data and information,  and move on policy
initiatives

The division has approximately 22 staff - mix of Community Health
Planners,  Public Health Nurses,  Public Health Inspectors,  Public
Health Nutritionists,  Environmental Health Officers  - also vacant
positions -  we are not completely sure what skill sets we need yet

The division will report to the Medical Officer of Health/Commissioner
of Health Services  -  but staff will participate on a number of
inter-departmental work groups (with our Engineering,  Planning,  Social
Services depts for examples), as a key strategy promoting integration

The 2 new management positions are both vacant  (Manager, Planning and
Evaluation  and Manager, Healthy Communities and Policy)  and will be
advertised next week in the Globe and Mail - so please check there if
you are interested.  Or, check our website at:
http://chd.region.waterloo.on.ca.  I should have details up there next
week.  (Please check those sources to determine your sincere interest
before calling me for further information on the positions or
recruitment.)
(There are also other mangement vacancies related to our reorganization
which will be posted there next week - including my former position as
Director, Family and Community  Resources.)

I expect to have a more detailed description of the division and
preliminary workplan prepared within a few weeks - please email me
directly if you want a copy forwarded to you when its ready.

We are excited about this - mostly because the preliminary feedback from
other departments within the Region,  key business partners,  other
research and planning groups,  neighbourhood groups,  anti-poverty
action groups,  environmental groups etc.  has all been so positive and
helpful.  In the 14 years I've worked in public health,  I've never felt
such a convergence.  Its my intent to ensure that it goes beyond a
"feeling" and translates into unified action.  So,  can health
departments work to reduce economic inequities?  improve ecosystem
health?  build move livable communities?  build social cohesion?..... --
I guess we'll see.

Thanks

Theresa Schumilas
as of last Monday,
Director,  Health Determinants, Planning and Evaluation
Community Health Department
Region of Waterloo

work phone:  519 883 2254
work email:  [log in to unmask]
home email:  [log in to unmask] (preferred - I never get time at the
office for electronic stuff)