Contribution Agreements Resource Centre

Managing Health Programs

First Nations and Inuit health service organizations are required to manage and control the health services that they provide to their members.

Health Canada offers these links to sites that provide resources in support of managing health programs and services for First Nations and Inuit organizations and the needs of the health services professionals that serve those organizations:

• General Resources - Tools, fact sheets, policy, kits and handbooks that relate to health services, programs, and community development;
• Training Resources - Health information services, health management courses, workshops and training on managing First Nations and Inuit health services; and
• Certificate Programs - University and college programs relating specifically to health management, business management and health information services programs.

General Resources

• Aboriginal Services, Canadian Executive Service Organization assists First Nations and Inuit communities and businesses of Canada in achieving greater self-sufficiency and growth via funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
  
  
• Appreciative Inquiry and Community Development Web site provide useful information about sustaining a community participation in a development project. The approach shifts away from focussing on problems and build on community achievements, skills and talents.
  
  
• Asset Based Community Development Institute has a large list of publications, workbooks, videos and manuals to help you learn more about community development.
  
  
• 'Basics of Developing Mission, Vision and Values Statements' provides you with tips for creating mission, vision and value statements. The Web site also offers a white paper on strategy for profit or non-profit organizations.
  
  
• Building Caring Communities (PDF version) is a workbook that gives you an overview to the approach of building caring communities, the process, resources and a toolkit with forms you can use.
  
  
• Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation is the First Nations and Inuit health service organizations' choice as their accreditation process. You will find an information sheet about how to be accredited, a fact sheet about education and a testimonial from Six Nations of the Grand River Health Services Executive Director.
  
  
• Community Building Resources Web site provides useful resources, references, presentations and list of links that may help you increase your knowledge base of community development.
  
  
• Community Capacity Building Tool teaches you how to build community capacity in health promotion projects. Using the metaphor of a journey, you evaluate or track your location in a health-project journey. There are nine feature areas in the tool:
  • Participation;
  • Leadership;
  • Community structures;
  • Role of external support (for example, a funding agency);
  • Asking why;
  • Obtaining resources;
  • Skills, knowledge, and learning;
  • Linking with others; and
  • Sense of community.
    
    
• Community Development General Information Resource List compiled by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development includes links about community development, capacity building, and municipal, provincial and federal government development resources.
  
  
• Community Development Handbook was created by the Labour Market Learning and Development Unit at Human Resources Development Canada to support the understanding and effective application of community development. You will find it is an introductory guide to community development and capacity building. If you have an interest in community development but not an in-depth understanding of the concept, this handbook will help.
  
  
• Community Environmental Projects: From Needs Assessments to Evaluation Guide targets organizations that take on environmental projects, but the methodology and approach applies to non-profit groups who want to learn how to conduct assessments, set objects and evaluate results of their projects.
  
  
• 'Effective Committees' fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shows you how you decide if you need committee, the different types of committees, reporting, and committee performance.
  
  
• First Nation Administrator: Primary Duties and Core Competencies (PDF version) is a document that provides readers with an overview of the key roles and responsibilities associated with the position of First Nation Administrator and outlines the competencies required to do the job.
  
  
• Forming and Managing a Non-Profit Organization in Canada is a guide to the process of going from that good idea to a strong, well-managed, vital organization.
  
  
• From the Ground Up: An Organizing Handbook for Healthy Communities is published by the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition. The essential points of organization, media relations, leadership, and governance are covered and there is much practical information that you can start to use immediately.
  
  
• Intervention Policy from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada outlines the regulations related to Government of Canada monetary transfers to First Nations for the delivery of programs and services that are normally provided by various levels of government. Funding is transferred to First Nations through Funding Agreements, contracts signed by both parties that include specific terms and conditions. Social assistance, education and infrastructure projects are generally the three largest categories of expenditures.
  
  
• "The Journey to Good Governance' e-learning tutorial from the Institute On Governance teaches individuals how to build better board governance. This tool includes various publications and governance improvement ideas. The tutorial is divided into five interconnected modules including:
  • Assessing your governance;
  • Governance basics;
  • Models of board governance;
  • Bylaws and policies; and
  • Practical problems and solutions.
    
    
• 'Minutes Don't Just Happen' fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary at board meetings. It includes a meeting planning checklist, details as to how to take minutes and a meeting action plan template.
  
  
• Preparing and Presenting a Brief' fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs covers the steps involved in preparing and presenting policy briefs. It includes a checklist you can use to make sure you have everything covered.
  
  
• 'Procedures for Meetings' fact sheet from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explains proper parliamentary procedures for formal meetings and describes acceptable alternatives for decision-making in smaller groups.
  
  
• Questionnaire Construction and Question Writing Guide is a workbook that explains how to produce questionnaires. It includes the following key sections:
  • Overall considerations in questionnaire writing;
  • Glossary of terms;
  • Comparison of open-ended vs. closed-ended questions;
  • Checklist for writing good questions; and
  • Sample layout of a questionnaire.
    
    
• Resource Kit for Board Action is a collection of resources for board members, trainers and administrators to use as an overview to board operations. Published by Volunteer Vancouver, the resource kit can be adapted and re-used in board manuals or as handouts.
  
  
• 'Responsible Government: Clarifying Essentials, Dispelling Myths and Exploring Change' document explores the core of Canada's parliamentary democracy from a responsible government perspective. Public servants can fully appreciate the fundamentally important role they play in Canada's parliamentary democracy and how they can best support and serve Ministers, Members of Parliament and citizens.
  
  
• 'Transferring Control of Health Programs to First Nations and Inuit Communities: An Introduction to Three Approaches' Handbook is the first in a series of handbooks about the transfer of control of Indian and Inuit health programs from the federal government to First Nations and Inuit communities. The first handbook is an introduction to transfer of control of health programs and resources. Each section answers important questions that communities often ask when they are first interested in gaining more control.
  
  
• 'Transferring Control of Health Programs to First Nations and Inuit Communities: The Health Services Transfer' Handbook is the second in a series of handbooks about transfer of control of Indian and Inuit health programs from the federal government to First Nations and Inuit communities. The second handbook describes the components of the Community Health Plan (CHP) and the process, procedures and policies for Transfer. If you are a member of Band or Tribal Councils or other First Nation or Inuit organizations which have decided to proceed with Transfer, you will find that the CHP is the key document for discussions between the community and FNIHB working toward a Transfer Agreement. The CHP provides details about the community, its identified health needs, and all aspects of how the community will deliver health services and programs under a Transfer Agreement.
  
  
• 'Transferring Control of Health Programs to First Nations and Inuit Communities: After the Transfer - The New Environment' Handbook is the third in a series of handbooks about transfer of control of Indian and Inuit health programs from the federal government to First Nations and Inuit communities. It describes the roles and responsibilities, the framework for accountability and reporting, renewal of Transfer Agreements and other details of importance to the community after the Health Services Transfer is completed. If you are a member of a Band or Tribal Councils or other First Nation organizations which have completed Transfer or are working toward Transfer, you will be interested in the this handbook.
  
  
• 'Value and Ethics Code for the Public Service' document from the Treasury Board Canada Secretariat guides and supports public servants in all their professional activities. The document provides you with a statement of values, conflict of interest measures, post employment measures and avenues of resolution.
  
  
• Various Toolkits from National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) First Nations Centre provide you with information about key issues related to First Nations health and community capacity building. The toolkits draw on materials presented by experts in the fields of privacy, law, ethics and First Nations health information at NAHO workshops and information forums. The toolkits centre around four key resource areas including:
  • Privacy;
  • Surveillance;
  • Ethics; and
  • Research

 

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Training Resources

• Aboriginal Health Care Administration Certificate a ten-month program from the University of British Columbia, is designed to help you learn how to provide effective administration of Aboriginal community-based health programs and facilities, while implementing the challenges and opportunities associated with the health transfer process. The program consists of five courses and is 50% online.
  
  
• Bachelor of Health Administration from Athabasca University helps health care administrators and managers meet the challenges facing Canada's health care system regarding rising costs, shortage of human resources and its aging population. By developing organizational, analytical, and managerial skills, the program enables you to seek innovative ways of meeting the increasing demands on Canada's health care system. Program plans and Web-based counselling services are available.
  
  
• Campusdirect portal provides free membership to public service employees, giving you access to e-learning resources designed specifically for the public service. You will have access to:
  • A personal learning space with planning and management tools;
  • Free products;
  • Online resources designed to help you get the most from e-learning; and
  • The Campusdirect catalogue of e-learning products.
    
    
• Chartered Director Designation from The Directors College of McMaster University is a program that provides you with the knowledge and skills to act as a Board member. The designation comprises:
  • Registration in the program;
  • Completion of the five modules (Accountability and Change, Leadership and Strategy, Oversight and Finance, Communication and Social Responsibility and the Board Simulation);
  • Passing the Chartered Directors Program Examination;
  • Subscribing to The Directors College Code of Conduct;
  • Committing to undertake professional development; and
  • Admitted as a Chartered Director.
    
    
• 'Effective Decision Making' two-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service gives you a standard approach to making a decision. You will learn how to analyze an issue or problem to identify causes, outline risks and opportunities to implement the decision effectively and efficiently.
  
  
• Health Information Services Diploma two-year program from Douglas College in British Columbia teaches you how to manage health information in a variety of settings in the health care industry. You will learn how aspects of health, computer science, business and research combine in a unique records and information management program. The profession has a traditional employment base in acute care facilities and expanding opportunities in a variety of non-acute facilities, community health, government agencies and industry.
  
  
• Health Information Management Diploma two-year program from George Brown College provides you with the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective health information practitioner. The program places emphasis on the following areas of study:
  • Biomedical sciences;
  • Health informatics;
  • Health record systems;
  • Medical classification systems and coding;
  • Data collection; and
  • Statistical analysis and presentation.
    
    
• Health Information Management Diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is a program that teaches you how to manage health records and the information contained within those records. The practitioner of health information management interprets standardized patient health records to provide comprehensive, quality information. Graduates from this program find work as health record practitioners and primarily work in hospitals.
  
  
• Health Information Services Technology Diploma two-year program from the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology provides you with training in biomedical sciences, information science and technology, the legal aspects of health information and the integration of clinical and financial information. This program focuses on the following areas of study:
  • Data collection and coding;
  • Data quality;
  • Record content and retention;
  • Record/systems management;
  • Patient access to health information;
  • Privacy, security and confidentiality;
  • Interpretation and analysis of health data;
  • Transition to the electronic health record; and
  • Electronic health information management (e-him).
    
    
    
• 'Internal Policy Development' two-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service teaches you how to draft policies or guidelines in response to specific departmental needs. You will learn about:
  • Legal considerations impacting internal policy development;
  • Organizational considerations;
  • Policy-development cycle;
  • Policy structuring;
  • Policy-implementation process; and
  • Monitoring.
    
    
• 'Introduction to Risk Management' one-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service describes risk management and integrated risk management concepts, tools and best practices. It summarizes the federal government's integrated risk management framework and direction. Course content includes:
  • Risk concepts (descriptions, categories and key factors);
  • Steps in a risk management process;
  • Tools, techniques and processes for each step; and
  • Essential elements, expected results and benefits of integrated risk management.
    
    
• 'Labour Relations: Principles and Practices for Managers' three-day course examines the foundations and practices associated with the labour relations regime in the federal Public Service. You will explore the implications of an approach to labour relations based on collaboration and greater partnership, from both employer and union perspectives. This Canada School of Public Service course covers the following topics:
  • Principles and practices in labour relations;
  • Management rights and limitations;
  • Collective agreements;
  • Performance management;
  • Grievance process;
  • Elements of negotiation and mediation; and
  • Healthy workplace.
    
    
• Management Studies Certificate from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is a program designed to provide you with a firm grounding in business practices and principles. The program covers fundamental business knowledge and skills recognized as essential starting points in the field of management.
  
  
• Management Studies Diploma from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies provides First Nation students with the necessary skills to ensure their success in a rapidly changing work environment. By combining areas such as information systems and accounting with organizational behaviour and industrial relations, the program enables you to gain both a philosophical and practical understanding of effective business management. Graduates of the program work in management, administration, finance, sales, merchandising and personnel.
  
  
• Management Studies Workplace Management Certificate from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is a combination of distance-learning educational modules designed to provide Tribal Council and First Nation Employees with techniques for enhanced employee performance.
  
  
• Native Community and Social Development Diploma two-year program from Georgian College is a co-operative education program that prepares you for entry-level administration and support staff positions within organizations such as community health centres, social service organizations, healing lodges and mental health centres. It focuses on the planning, development, evaluation and administration of social/health care services within the Native community. In this program, the emphasis is on integrating cultural, social and health issues relevant to Native people in Canada with business and community development studies.
  
  
• 'Orientation Program for Supervisors' five-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service is structured around the three primary functions of supervision: administration, leadership and results-based management. You will learn about the supervisory skills and practices needed in the federal Public Service. The course emphasizes the human side of supervision, including the important role self-awareness plays in improving workplace communications and productivity. Topics covers on this course include:
  • Roles and responsibilities;
  • Interpersonal communication;
  • Flexible behaviour;
  • Self-knowledge;
  • Administrative know-how;
  • Applied leadership; and
  • Results-based management.
    
    
• 'Orientation to Public Policy Development' two-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service explores how public policy is developed based on the priorities and requirements of the Government of Canada. Through practical exercises based on current affairs, you will examine issues and constraints associated with public policy development. You will learn:
  • A policy development model;
  • Dynamics of change;
  • A strategic framework for policy development;
  • Factors affecting the policy development process;
  • Consultation;
  • Using the results of consultation;
  • Development of policy options; and
  • Communication techniques.
    
    
• 'Orientation to the Public Service' two-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service teaches you, a new employee, about the workings and structures of the Canadian government and of the federal Public Service. You will learn about:
  • Competencies and a learning plan for new recruits;
  • Constitutional foundations of the federal government;
  • Political structures and processes;
  • Public Service structure and environment; and
  • Privy Council Office.
    
    
• 'People-Oriented Management' four-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service is geared towards supervisors. People-Oriented Management is a timely management style that promotes leadership at all levels. It encourages you to use all of your talents and skills and to be productive in an organization where learning is a priority. The course familiarizes you with leadership issues using the latest techniques in self and group assessment. You will learn about the following subjects:
  • Public Service leaders and their environment;
  • Leadership;
  • Managing for effective performance; and
  • Team building.
    
    
• 'Privacy Legislation' three-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service introduces you to the Government of Canada's Privacy Act. You will explore the following topics:
  • Processing requests for personal information;
  • Processing requests for corrections;
  • Control documents;
  • Exceptions to the right of access;
  • Review process; and
  • Compliance audits.
    
    
• 'Public Events Management' two-day course from the Canada School of Public Service explores the Five-Step Public Events Management Process used in the research, planning, development, delivery and evaluation of a public event. In the course, you'll find examples and scenarios related to a wide variety of public events and exhibits, including news conferences, announcements, ministerial events, trade and consumer shows, public fairs, and conferences.
  
  
• 'Staff Relations for Supervisors' three-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service that teaches you how to improve your performance management skills and how to promote smooth employer-employee relations. Key concepts covered on this course include:
  • Review of management rights and limitations;
  • Demotion or termination of employment "for cause";
  • The disciplinary process;
  • Interpreting and applying collective agreements; and
  • The grievance process.
    
    
• 'Structures and Operations of Government: Challenges for Accountability' three-day course focuses on the principles of accountability and how they are challenged by the need to govern within the framework of Canada's parliamentary system while, at the same time, exploring new ways of serving Canadians. You will investigate the fundamental principles of the Canadian system and its major political institutions at a macro level, and compare them with those of other systems.
  
  
• 'Working in Teams' two-day course offered by the Canada School of Public Service teaches you about the behaviours, processes and facilitation techniques you can use to build trust and a collaborative working environment. This course examines:
  • Working in a team;
  • Improving team effectiveness;
  • Team dynamics;
  • Practical exercise: a team project; and
  • Debriefing and feedback on team exercise.

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Certificate Programs

• A Bachelor of Health Information Management from Ryerson University in Toronto is a part-time degree (pre-requisite: a recognized Health Information Management diploma or certificate) that examines the Canadian health-care system and your role as a health information professional in a health services organization. Through an independent project and practicum, students will apply their learning in real work situations other than their own. You will learn:
  • The current theories and practices identified and assessed in health information analysis;
  • Health information systems management;
  • Managerial accounting and finance;
  • Health ethics;
  • Health law;
  • Program planning and evaluation;
  • Research methodology; and
  • Human resources management.
    
    
• Community Studies Diploma two-year program from the College of the North Atlantic focuses on leadership and other career-related skills that you will need to work in Human Services professions. The dynamic courses are fast-paced and you will be challenged to think critically and to become self-directed, lifelong learners.
  
  You can specialize in different areas such as Addictions, Disability Studies, Healthy Aging, International Issues, Women's Studies, and Youth and Adult Corrections.