Webinar Q & A

Supporting Research and Program Evaluation, Education and Professional Development, and Knowledge Exchange in Public Health

During the discussion period of the webinar hosted by OAHPP entitled “Supporting Research & Program Evaluation, Education & Professional Development, and Knowledge Exchange in Public Health”, held on July 15, 2010, the following questions were asked:

  1. How much funding will be available to support the program functions?
  1. What are the eligibility criteria for the Education Fund Program? Is there a competition to decide who receives the funds as only 10 individuals from the province would be funded as described in the presentation?
  1. Would the regional hubs incorporate knowledge brokers and communities of practice or are they distinct entities?
  1. Does OAHPP have any content areas or programs that it will focus on in the short or long term?
  1. Is it the intention of OAHPP to centralize library services, thus eliminating the need for individual health unit libraries?
  1. Are all sectors in each public health unit given the same opportunity to put forward ideas regarding the possible program elements?
  1. How will you determine who is invited to sit on the focus group in the fall?
  1. What happens next?
  1. How much funding will be available to support the program functions?

The PHRED program had a 50/50 cost-shared model with the municipal and provincial government. Only the provincial share of the PHRED program funding will be transferred to OAHPP. In 2009/2010 the total PHRED program funding was approximately $4.4 million. As such, it is anticipated that approximately $2.2 million will be transferred to OAHPP in 2011 to support the program functions and coordination.

  1. What are the eligibility criteria for the Education Fund Program? Is there a competition to decide who receives the funds as only 10 individuals from the province would be funded as described in the presentation?

At this stage OAHPP is seeking input and feedback from the public health community regarding the description and value of the possible program elements. Through the survey, health units and key partners are being asked to comment on the description of the program elements including the notional funding proposed, as well as, to rank the various elements. Health units and key partners will have the opportunity to indicate if they would change the possible program elements. For example, survey respondents can suggest that the funding available for the Education Fund Program increases so that 15 individuals could be supported to attend an international conference. Health units and key partners will also have the opportunity to rank the various elements to indicate which elements they would like to see implemented.

When the priority elements emerge (i.e. the ones likely to be implemented) through the various consultations, OAHPP in partnership with health units and key partners will need to further design those elements. For example, if the Education Fund Program is identified as a priority element to be implemented, OAHPP will work with health units and key partners to develop a formal system that sets out the eligibility criteria and selection process.

  1. Would the regional hubs incorporate knowledge brokers and communities of practice or are they distinct entities?

At this stage OAHPP is presenting a menu of possible program elements. Through consultation OAHPP is asking that the public health community carefully consider and rank the potential program elements to ensure they are optimally aligned with the system as a whole, and represent the best “basket of services” to advance Ontario’s public health programs.

The regional hubs, knowledge brokers, and communities of practice have been described as distinct elements. However, as with all the other elements, these are early ideas and will be shaped through consultation.

  1. Does OAHPP have any content areas or programs that it will focus on in the short or long term?

OAHPP is relying on the health units and key partners to identify the focus of content areas and programs. These stakeholders will have the opportunity to identify a focus for content areas and programs through the survey and focus group. Over time, services will be evaluated and adjustments made to continually meet the needs of the field.

  1. Is it the intention of OAHPP to centralize library services, thus eliminating the need for individual health unit libraries?

OAHPP recognizes the importance of accessing library services for health units, as such library services has been proposed as a possible program element. It has been identified that there is not necessarily equity of access to library services across Ontario and that this may be an opportunity to reinforce and support these services. Including library services as a potential element is not trying to replace any services, but rather to support the system at large by ensuring that crucial infrastructure is available to everyone.

  1. Are all sectors in each public health unit given the same opportunity to put forward ideas regarding the possible program elements?

All health units, public health professional associations, and relevant ministries will be asked to submit one survey on behalf of their organization. It is strongly encouraged that in completing the survey management and staff are consulted in order to capture as complete a portrait of the organization’s needs and priorities as possible.

  1. How will you determine who is invited to sit on the focus group in the fall?

Health units, public health professional associations, and associated ministries will be asked to complete a survey by late August 2010 on the possible program elements for the program functions being transferred to the OAHPP. The results of the survey will inform a focus group that will be held in September 2010 with one representation from each of the health units and key partners.

Each organization will be asked to select an individual to attend the focus group. The organizations will inform OAHPP of their selection in the survey as there is a question in the survey pertaining to this topic.

  1. What happens next?

Public health units, public health professional associations, and relevant ministries are being asked to submit one survey on behalf of their organization by late August 2010. The results of the survey will inform a focus group that will be held in September 2010 with representation from all health units and key partners. It is expected that preparation and initial stages of implementation will begin in the fall of 2010 and that key elements will be in place by March 1, 2010. In the meantime, OAHPP will continue to work with the PHRED program sites to support the transition, including achieving and continued access to PHRED products and resources.

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