CHC HISTORY

Background Information on Community Health Centres

Health centres in Ontario (that are directly funded by the Ministry of Health) have been in existence in some form or another since the mid-70’s. A notable exception to this is the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, which opened October, 1962.

In 1975 there was no distinction between community health centres (CHCs) and health service organizations (HSOs). At that time, there was a group of centres, some of which are now CHCs and others which are now HSOs.

Ministry funding for these centres were on the basis of “experimental pilot projects.” Originally, centres were paid capitation however centres that were not considered financially viable were provided a program budget with the intent to covert into capitation once viability is achieved. The latter, now operating as CHCs, stayed with the program budget as the preferred way to fund the type of program, operation and philosophy by which these centres delivered the programs and services.

For more information about Community Health Centres in Ontario, please visit the Association of Ontario Health Centres www.aohc.org

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTRE

History of the Organization

Rexdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit organization providing a range of primary health and prevention activities to Rexdale. The Centre is a result of the hard work and perseverance of many Rexdale residents and community organizations.

• The Rexdale Community Centre (RCHC) was first funded in January 1993 by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
• Initial services included nutrition counseling, social work and health promotion, located at Rexdale Mall.
• In June 1995, clinical services started in the off-site temporary location.
• All services were consolidated into a newly renovated space at 8 Taber Road in February 1996.
• Three other organizations: the Rexdale Women’s Centre, Family Services Association and Dejinta Beesha co-located with RCHC.
• In 1997 RCHC created its first strategic directions to guide to organization for the next 3 years.
• In July of 2000, RCHC voluntarily participated in an accreditation process with Community Organization Health Incorporated and received its first accreditation status in the same year.
• In 2000, our first Summer Youth Leadership Program was offered in Jamestown community for youth 13-15 years old.
• In 2001, RCHC created its second Strategic Directions and Action Plans for a three year period.
• A bi-weekly Ethno-cultural seniors’ program began in 2001 with a focus on women of diverse cultures. An After School Program for youth began in Jamestown following the six plus murders in the community.
• In 2001, in partnership with Rexdale Youth Centre’s Partner’s Council we applied for three year funding from Trillium to conduct a needs assessment of over 300 youth from the Rexdale community. In 2002, we held our first Youth Forum to discuss the findings of the youth needs assessment. The information gathered from the study and the forum led to the design of the youth programs and services for the youth of the community.
• In 2001 the RCHC was selected to manage and sponsor the “Eating For Two” program in Etobicoke. These responsibilities were held by the Toronto Public Health Department and George Hull respectively. The management of the program was also shared with LAMP CHC.
• The Adult Social Program began in 2001 as a means to prevent social isolation among individuals with mental health concerns. This program was originally offered in partnership with Deejinta Beesha, a multi-service organization.
• In 2002 we began the creation of a management team for RCHC when we received funding for a Program Director role to support the community programs.
• In 2002, the RCHC began offering services from a satellite office in Central Etobicoke with a focus on primary health care for pregnant women, and their newborns. An After School Program for children 6-12 years old was also started.
• In partnership with the William Olser Health Centre a Diabetes Education Centre was established in 2002 to operate a two day per week Diabetes Education Program at the RCHC and a 14 hours per month program in Central Etobicoke.
• The Dental Clinic opened its doors at the RCHC in 2002 in partnership with Toronto Public Health.
• In 2003 we entered into a partnership with LAMP CHC, Toronto Community Social Planning Council, the Children’s Aid Society and the B/427 Steering Committee to successfully apply for the United Way’s Multi-agency Partnership Project to (MAPP) to offer youth programs in Central Etobicoke for 3 years
• Similarly we successfully applied for MAPP funding and partnered with the Microskills and other Rexdale organizations to offer programs and services within the Dixon Youth Centre at Kipling and Dixon.
• With the MAPP funding we offered an After School Program and a Summer Leadership Program for the youth of Central Etobicoke. With the support of the City of Toronto, we also offered a Summer Day Camp for children 6-12 years old in Central Etobicoke in partnership with the St. James United Church. This was also the year our Hearing Loss Programs for children and youth began with a focus on the Somali community.
• In 2003, we received the largest allocation of Early Years Challenge Fund ($197,000 annually) in the province, from the Ministry of Youth and Children’s Services, for three years, to expand the “Eating for Two” Program and to create the “Feeding with Love” Program across Etobicoke
• In June of 2003 the RCHC participated in our second accreditation process with COHI and received our second accreditation status
• In 2004 we received three-year funding ($175,000) from the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Community Mobilization Fund to offer victim support services to the residents of Jamestown and Kipling and Dixon Communities
• In summer of 2006 we received confirmation from the MOHLTC that the RCHC would be responsible for the management of two CHC Satellites in the Jamestown and Kipling and Dixon Communities.
• In 2006, we also received funding to hire a Director to explore the feasibility of establishing a Pathways to Education Program, and hired 2 Health Promoters for the CHC Satellites community engagement process.
• We also participated in the voluntary accreditation process with COHI in 2006 and again received our accreditation status in the same year.
• In 2006, the RCHC participated in the International Aids Conference held in Toronto.