Grey Bruce Partners in Health

Grey Bruce Partners in Health is one of 37 community partnerships funded by the Ministry of Health Promotion through the Ontario Heart Health Program (OHHP).  The community partnership uses collective knowledge, experience, and resources to organize comprehensive initiatives that reduce the risk of chronic diseases.  The partnership is comprised of several community organizations and dedicated volunteers. 

The goal of the OHHP is to prevent cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases such as Type -2 Diabetes, stroke, and some forms of cancer.  To learn more about OHHP visit the Ontario Heart Health Network at www.ohhn.net or the Heart Health Resource Centre at www.hhrc.net

Grey Bruce Partners in Health currently supports a variety of initiatives in Grey and Bruce Counties.  To be eligible for funding, programs should:

• Focus on the primary prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Stoke, and some forms of cancer
• Involve at least two partners working together on the project and the lead partner should strive to participate on the steering committee.
• Focus on one or more of the following:  access to nutritious food, the built environment, active transportation, access to recreation and physical activity, and prevention of tobacco use and exposure
• Concentrate on developing policy and creating environments that support people to make healthy choices. 
• Address a demonstrated need in the community and support priority populations, such as but not limited to, individuals living in poverty, Aboriginal people, children and youth.
• Have a plan for the sustainability of the initiative
• Be based on evidence, best or promising practices, or be an innovative rural project supported by sound theory.

Programs supported by Grey Bruce Partners in Health

Healthy Active Children & Youth
This program works to ensure that children at home, in daycare, in the community and in after school programs have access to healthy food choices, daily physical activity, opportunities to learn about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity, and have care providers who are knowledgeable about healthy eating and daily physical activity. 

In 2008, an after school program began called On the Move: “Girls Night Out.”  The program is focused on getting young girls physically active.  “A How To Guide” was created so the ideas could be implemented in other communities too.  For more information about On the Move programs across Canada visit www.caaws.ca

Healthy Living Schools
The goal of this program is to support school communities in improving the health of students.  Activities vary year to year, such as: Movin’ On, Eat Smart! Cafeteria Award, Active Playgrounds, Peaceful Playgrounds, Turn Off the Screens, and training students for skipping demonstration teams.

Grey Bruce Partners in Health works to support the "Foundations for a Healthy School"  framework developed by the Ministry of Education & Ministry of Health Promotion.  Health topics included in the framework are healthy eating, physical activity, bullying prevention, personal safety and injury prevention, substance use and abuse.  Each health topic has ideas for high quality instruction programs, creating healthy physical environments and supportive social environments, and developing community partnerships.  For more information, check out: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/foundations.html

GBPIH encourages local school to participate in the Ontario’s Healthy School Recognition Program.  Visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/healthyschools.html for more information.

OPHEA, Ontario Physical & Health Education Association, also provides a wealth of information and programs that can be utilized within the school setting.  Many of the programs fall within the curriculum and support the “Foundation for a Healthy School.”   Check out www.ophea.net

Youth Coalitions
Local youth are working with community partners to set up Youth Coalitions across Grey and Bruce Counties.  In November of 2008 a very successful Youth Summit was held to bring adults and youth together to discuss development, collaboration, and sustainability of youth coalitions.  Another summit is being planned for the Fall of 2009. 

Youth in the region are also working hard to promote a website developed and driven by youth.  The website encourages healthy active living along with promoting the many other health issues youth may face.  www.targetyouth.ca

Tobacco Free Sports & Recreation

The goal of the Tobacco-Free Sports and Recreation Initiative is to influence communities, schools, athletic associations, and teams to implement tobacco-free policies including smoke-free outdoor recreation areas.  This program was launch in December 2008 in Grey Bruce.  For more information, check out www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca

Active 2010

This program addresses the accessibility to physical activity opportunities in communities.  This may include the design or re-design of community settings so they are more supportive of active choices, including active commuting, walking, cycling and other modes of active transportation.  A major project has been working with the Bruce Grey Trails Network to promote local trails and geocaching.  Grey Bruce Partners in Health also works along side with PLAY in Bruce Grey to support families being physically active
www.active2010.ca

www.brucegreytrails.com

www.playbrucegrey.com

Mental Illness and Smoking Issues (MISI)
The MISI Committee works to promote tobacco cessation, smoke-free living, healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction & healthy lifestyles in general to people with mental health problems.  The Committee also strives to reduce the stigma associated with people who have a mental illness and smoke.  The MISI Committee achieves these goals through advocacy, client services, education & training for both professionals and clients, and by linking people with other services in the community. 

Healthy Community Nutrition
This program supports community kitchens, community gardens and other nutrition based programs offered to people with limited resources. The programs provide skill building and social opportunities for participants along with the physical space to cook meals, and grow a garden.  Participants in community kitchens gather monthly in a local kitchen to prepare a nutritious meal, and to learn about healthier food choices and easy food preparation methods. Community gardens use a shared space of land to grow vegetables and fruit.  Everyone pitches in to care for the garden throughout the growing season and produce is shared between participants once it is harvested. 

The Beat Goes On Awards
This program recognizes individuals, groups, schools, workplaces, and municipalities that have supported people in the community choosing to adopt healthy lifestyles.

If you are interested in learning more about these programs or would like to learn more about the funding that is available to the community, contact the Grey Bruce Partners in Health Coordinator, 519-376-9420