Exploring the health, social, economic, political and other value of population and public health
The Canadian Journal of Public Health invites submissions to a special section on Why public health matters today that explore, and provide evidence for, the value of public health to Canada today. We encourage a range of contributions, including: health, social, economic and political analyses; rigorous commentaries containing cogent/robust analysis; research informed by a range of theoretical perspectives; work that explores the value of public health for various communities; and research conducted at local, regional, provincial and national levels. We also welcome international studies that would be relevant to Canada, as we believe Canada has much to learn from other countries.
Deadline for full manuscript submissions: 1 June 2018
PlaceSpeak has received the Public Health Association of British Columbia (PHABC) Healthy Corporate Citizen Award. The platform was nominated for its ability to empower ordinary citizens from across the province to engage with pressing issues in a way that legitimizes their concerns and ideas, allowing people to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
In the lead-up to the 2017 BC provincial election, the PHABC conducted a consultation on the future of public health in BC. British Columbians were invited to provide input into public health issues affecting the province and share ways that they would amplify public health issues to candidates during the election. Participants could engage by taking a survey or a poll and contributing to a discussion forum.
PlaceSpeak’s unique geo-verification technology allowed the PHABC to better understand the different needs and priorities of the public across BC’s 85 electoral districts. By gaining a more nuanced understanding of public opinion, the PHABC is better positioned to advocate on behalf of specific issues and concerns in different regions of the province.
“PlaceSpeak is an essential utility for decision-makers in today’s digital ecology. The Public Health Association of BC is committed to public engagement on health and social policies,” said Shannon Turner, Executive Director of PHABC. “Authenticated data is mission critical, and PlaceSpeak supports that commitment. We are so pleased to acknowledge their leadership in growing community voices and Canada’s democracy.”
PlaceSpeak has also been used to help shape public health guidelines and ensure that standards meet the needs of physicians and patients. Earlier in 2017, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) used PlaceSpeak to consult with the public on their experiences with walk-in clinics and referrals to specialists.
“The ability to engage with people online within specific boundaries in an authentic way lends itself particularly well to the area of public health,” says PlaceSpeak CEO, Colleen Hardwick. “PlaceSpeak helps decision-makers better understand the unique needs of each region to support healthy, vibrant communities.”
Government of Canada Supports National Farm to School Initiative
New national program will bring more of the local harvest into school cafeterias
October 3, 2017 Ottawa, Ontario Public Health Agency of Canada
Improving food literacy – the ability to make healthy food choices – through activities such as hands-on cooking, exposure to new foods, and farm and gardening activities can help build the skills required to plan, purchase and prepare healthier foods. These activities help encourage children to make healthy eating choices and supports healthy living.
Farm to School BC (F2SBC) and Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) seeks a dynamic, organized, team leader to build capacity to advance Farm to School (F2S) in BC and Nationally. In partnership with F2CC, the Farm to Cafeteria Canada (F2CC) School Animator will enable and facilitate the implementation of a pan Canadian Farm to School Canada Digs In! Initiative. The School animator’s primary focus will be to build capacity within 30 K-12 schools in urban, rural and remote communities in BC – supporting their endaevours to implement and sustain Farm to School salad bar programs. The Animator will place local people at the centre of all they do, believing that sustainable solutions are only ever developed when the support of the school community and the local food system sector is strongly evident. The Animator will be a change agent, developing and supporting the exchange of information ideas and resources between within the school community, between participating schools, and and among the different communities and with the diverse organizations and institutions that can contribute to the vision – more healthy local foods on the minds and plates of students.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Coordinate learning opportunities for school-based F2S teams (including teachers, principals, school meal providers, and additional partners who work with students).
Support F2School leads in the 30 participating schools in achieving three main objectives:
improve student access to and consumption of healthy local food,
enhance student food literacy,
engage the school and the broader community program development, implementation, and evaluation in a manner that fosters sustainability.
Support all School leads in achieving contract deliverables in a timely manner.
Establish and maintain relationships with all participating schools and provide ongoing support to ensure that teachers, stakeholders and partners are successfully implementing their Farm to School plans.
Strengthen communities of practice in School regions by facilitating teleconferences, face-to-face meetings, webinars and other actions as needed to promote the national F2S movement while embedding F2SBC framework.
Assist the evaluation team with development and implementation of an evaluation plan and tools.
In concert with the Provincial Manager of F2SBC, promote F2SCDI initiative, disseminating ideas, information, tools and other resources and linking F2S, programs, policy and practice.
Deliverables (see Appendix A)
Attend annual National F2CC face to face gatherings, quarterly RL Community of Practice calls and regular check-ins with the Provincial Manager.
Create articles, blogs and tweets about the F2SCDI initiative and developments in BC and disseminate through F2SBC e-platforms including websites and social media (i.e.,Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Disseminate national newsletters, national farm to school month campaign materials, produced by F2CC.
Provide mid-term and annual reports to Executive Director of PHABC and the Provincial Manager of F2SBC.
Background in Health Science, Education, Community Development, Nutrition, Agriculture, Public Health or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred minimum of 2 years of experience utilizing school setting-based approaches to health promotion, working with people and communities to integrate a holistic and multidisciplinary method to build capacity in various settings.
Understanding of local and sustainable food systems, school food environments, child and youth nutrition, health promotion, health literacy, agriculture and/or combination of relevant or related disciplines.
Comfortable with the following software/social media platforms: Word Processing, Excel spreadsheets, WordPress, PowerPoint and social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite).
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team player.
Leadership style and work ethic that promotes collaboration, inclusivity, creativity, open communication as well as independent decision making.
Understanding of regional food systems and school-food service systems including the network of individuals therein (e.g., principals, teachers, parents, school meal coordinators staff, students…).
Ability to network with key stakeholders within the regional food system (farmers, gardeners, food producer groups, food processors, and food distributors – including those associated with existing F2S programs and those keen to be supplying such programs).
In-depth knowledge of sustainable food system, school food and/or public health nutrition.
Expertise in establishing Farm to School programs and familiarity with existing BC Farm to School network is an asset.
To Apply:
Submit your resume and cover letter to Richard Han, Provincial Manager of Farm to School BC at prov.manager@farmtoschoolbc.ca
Application Deadline: October 4th, 2017 @4:30PM. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on October 9th, 2017.
The term defined for this position is between October 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 with the possibility of an annual renewal.
The Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for the following Director positions for 2017-2019. There is one Executive position: President (2-year term) and 4 Director-at-large (2-year term) positions available. Being a PHABC Director is an interesting and challenging opportunity, a terrific way to build your professional network, connect with like-minded people and advance the principles of public health in British Columbia.
Directors come from different professions and locations in the province. It is the Board’s hope and intention to have each major geographic area of BC represented on the Board. Directors can expect to put in a minimum 4 to 5 hours of volunteer work per month – more if you are a member of the Executive Committee, or a committee chair. Many of the Board meetings and other committee meetings are conducted by telephone conference call.
A Director may be called upon to undertake a number of functions. Most of these functions are outlined in the Bylaws on the PHABC website. In addition, a Board member may be asked to Chair a committee such as the PEC (Public Engagement Committee), PARC (Policy, Advocacy, Research and Communications Committee), CBC (Capacity Building Committee) or to work on specific projects or issues. A Director may be asked to attend events in their area to represent PHABC. More information can also be found about PHABC on our website. If you are interested in becoming a Director you must be a PHABC member in good standing. In case your membership is expired here is a link to renew your membership. In order to complete your nomination application 2 PHABC members must support your nomination.
Positions currently available on the Board are: President and 4 Director-at-Large positions.
If you are interested in being a Board member, please send the completed form by email to Christina Harding at staff@phabc.org, she will also be happy to answer any questions you may have. The deadline for applications is September 21st at 5:00 pm. The Elections open and close respectively on October 5th and October 26th @ 5 pm, 2017. Results of the Election are announced at the AGM on November 16th, 2017. After receiving your completed form, a member of the Governance Committee or one of the current Directors will contact you by phone.
The Community Action Initiative (CAI) was created to support community-led projects that promote mental health, prevent substance use problems and promote effective treatment and support for individuals and families experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges in BC. The CAI was established in 2008 through a $10-million grant from the Province of British Columbia. In March 2013, the CAI received a subsequent $10 million grant from the Province to continue its work, as well as $5 million to specifically address supportive recovery housing.
The CAI Leadership Council represents a coalition of non-government organizations (NGO), First Nations Health Authority, Metis Nation British Columbia and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, provincial government bodies and other key stakeholders.
