Community
Health Education Program
(CHEP)
2008-2009
In collaboration with McGill University
Health Center
A community member attends a
videoconferencing session on Cancer Awareness. There, he meets a
community nurse who then puts him in touch with an array of
resources. Consequently, the participants of this session see
the need for and decide to start a cancer support group.
Community radio is used to promote this initiative. Now, imagine
improving access in your community to a range of
English-language health and social information via a variety of
mediums…
THE COMMUNITY HEALTH
EDUCATION PROGRAM makes this possible!
This dynamic program facilitates distance community learning of
English health and social information in remote Quebec
communities via 5 different mediums:
- Videoconferencing
- Telephone conferencing
- DVD’s
- Community radio (Internet
access)
- Follow-up activities
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
Communities select an area of
focus based on need. The aim is to raise awareness and provide
information to individuals and their communities where there is
a gap or a void in health and social information. For example,
if the choice is to host a videoconferencing session, then
professionals, caregivers and volunteers in education, health
and social services, are encouraged to come learn alongside
their community members.
EXPERTISE
HELPS FILL THE GAP
Dynamic, interactive experts in
their respective fields, CHEP presenters have a variety of
health and social backgrounds: nursing, counselling, psychology,
education and community medicine. Invited guest speakers from
organizations representing chosen topics, complement the
presenters.
RESOURCES
The CHEP promotes existing
resources, linking with organizations whose mission it is to
provide English health and social information, tools and support
to the public.
|
IDENTIFIED
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS - 2008-2009 |
|
Prostate
Cancer |
Medications |
|
Fall
Prevention |
Eye Disease |
|
Nutrition
|
Care-giving at Home
and in Institutions |
|
Trauma/Crisis Intervention |
Separation Anxiety |
|
Kidneys,
Bladder & Incontinence |
|
|
FOLLOW-UP
ACTIVITIES
An important focus of the CHEP,
follow-up activities provide ongoing education, information,
resources, and support beyond the initial campaign.
For example, following a videoconferencing session participants
decide to form a support group or create a resource center,
building from the momentum created by the session.
COMMUNITIES
Eight
outer-lying English-speaking Quebec communities
participate:
- CAMI – Magdalen
Islands
- CASA – Gaspé
- COASTERS’
Association – Lower North Shore
- MCDC – Thetford
Mines
- Neighbours’
Association – Rouyn Noranda
- OHSSN – Outaouais
and West Quebec
- Townshippers’
Association – Montérégie and Estrie
- Vision Gaspé Percé
Now – Gaspé Town
|
PARTNERSHIPS
FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Partnerships serve to enhance
access to English-language information, resources, services and
support. The communities create important partnerships with many
diverse organizations and institutions:
- Local CSSS, hospitals,
clinics
- Schools, Community Learning
Centers (CLCs) and community centers
- Non-profit organizations
- Community radio stations
The CHEP forges partnerships
with many regional and provincial health and social
organizations, including:
- Alzheimer Society
- AMI Quebec
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Care-Ring Voice
- Fraser Recovery Program
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
of Quebec
- The Arthritis Society
- The Quebec Learners’
Network
|
What some CHEP participants have learned
that is worth remembering for a lifetime… |
|
“Menopause is not a
disease, but a life transition.” Menopause: A
Hot Topic, February 2008 |
|
Take care of
yourself and see the doctor.” Cancer
Awareness, October 2007 |
|
Exercise, exercise
even if it is painful.” Arthritis,
September 2007 |
|
“What an individual
can do to control diabetes.” Diabetes Type 2,
March 2007 |
|
“Grieving is the
flipside of loving.” Grieving and Loss,
December 2006 |
|
“Prepare yourself
before going to see a physician so that you have
a list of what you need to have answered.”
Mental Health 101, October 2006 |
|
“Any type of
bullying, no matter how severe, can cause
damage.” Bullying, October 2006 |
|
VIDEOCONFERENCING IN IMAGES
* Please click on
the thumbnail to view larger image.
THE CHEP TEAM
Russell Kueber,
M. Ed.,
Project Development Manager, assists communities in building
relationships with their public health partners.
Jo Ann Jones,
R.N., M. Ed., Community
Support Coordinator, plans and coordinates the program.
Kelly Howarth,
M. Ed., Dpl. Ad. Ed.,
Program Evaluator/Consultant, plans and evaluates the program
and coordinates community radio.
The CHSSN supports
English-speaking communities to participate in distance
community health education programs through funding from the
McGill University Training and Human Resources Development
Project (2005-2009) and the strong partnership of the McGill
University Health Centre.
To learn more
about the CHSSN
Community Health Education Program:
Email:
telehealth_program@yahoo.ca
Web site:
www.chssn.org/En/Health_Education_ Program/index.html
