DEPARTMENT Services
We have a number of services that directly contribute to the health and well-being of our community.
Our Department is the delegated authority within the Nationa structure to provide these services, in accordance with our funding agreements from the First Nations Health Authority, the Ministry for Children & Family Services, and others. Services are provided according to the regulations of professional bodies (e.g. the College of Nurses), and other relevant legislation.
Department Resources
- The Community Health Team is responsible for the following activities:
Immunizations of pre-school children – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 3) - Immunizations of school-aged children – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 3)
- School Head checks and Nurse visits to school – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 5)
- Pediatrician Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Optometrist Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Vision Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
- TB Testing at the clinic for individuals (and follow up tracking & medication administration if required) (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Coordinating weekly appointments with the Nurse Practitioner and Physicians in our office (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Nurse appointments for confidential services for Healthy Life Choices, Pregnancy testing & Counselling, PAP tests, male & female STI testing, birth control, emergency contraception (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Flu shot clinics (Elders, community, staff) – (CCP Health Goal 3)
- Nurse clinical appointments – visits for support around community health issues, education, follow, and referrals.
- Services to Diabetics – educational workshops, cooking workshops, referrals for footcare/eyecare/etc.
- Medical Transportation Program – providing a supplement to eligible community members who live on reserve, and off reserve members who live in the Port Hardy area, and who must travel out of the area for medical appointments.
- Youth activities such as workshops, field trips, youth conferences, and fun activities – for educational purposes and alternatives to at risk activities.
The Maternal Child Health Team is responsible for (CCP social issues 2):
- Prenatal education
- Nutrition during pregnancy education
- Support for birth planning
- Infant Development assessments
- Referrals to specialized support services when required
- Child development support
- Education/Support for breastfeeding
- Nutrition for young children education
These are carried out through the following activities:
- Pre-natal group (CCP social issues 2)
- Cultural playgroup/Baby (CCP Culture goal 3)
- Distributing food to pre-natal mothers (CCP social issues 2)
- Cooking classes (CCP social issues 2)
- Individual parent/family visits (CCP social issues 2)
- Ages & Stages Child Development assessments (CCP social issues 2)
- Referrals for developmental supports (CCP social issues 2)
The MCH staff also deliver the COHI program which consists of providing varnishing to children’s teeth as a measure to prevent tooth
decay. The program also brings up a dental hygienist periodically to examine teeth. Referrals are made for dental care if needed.
This is done for children attending our Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw school. (CCP social issues 2)
The Home & Community Care Team monitors and provides care to Chronically ill community members. This includes:
- Carry out hospital approved discharge plans
- Monitor and assess chronically ill patients referred by physicians
- Provide direct nursing services as directed by physician
- Provide Footcare services to clients referred by physician
- Work with the Elder’s Coordinator to provide Elder activities
MAP is a harm reduction strategy that may reduce consumption of alcohol and non-beverage alcohol resulting in fewer Emergency Department visits and hospital admissions while improving the health of individuals who are suffering from alcohol use disorder. MAPs are also useful for patients who are at risk for seizures and over-intoxication.
Managed alcohol (MA) offers healthcare practitioners an opportunity to form a therapeutic relationship with patients who might have had past negative healthcare experiences.
Goals of Providing Managed Alcohol
- Prevent withdrawal,
- Maintain or reduce alcohol in-take,
- Reduce non-beverage alcohol consumption,
- Reduce health risks and other harms, and
- Promote safer use through harm reduction education and self-management.
- Focus is on harm reduction, peer, self-management, and education on safer drinking
- Low barrier to prevent harms and increase ability of individuals to stay at home and isolate
- Ideal for chronic daily users who are low to mild/moderate risk for complicated withdrawal and are able to self-manage their consumption
The Integrated Case Management team is responsible for providing Family functioning and wellness supports. This includes:
- Addictions Counseling
- Referrals to treatment centres
- Mental Health Counseling
- Mental Health Outreach
- Suicide Responses
- Support to families during MCFD investigations
- Follow up teaching/education/supports to families with MCFD involvement
- Coordination of ‘Na̱mima̱ or family meetings to develop plans to support children or families with MCFD involvement
- Support to individuals or families involved with the court system
North Island Building Blocks Program is an outreach and support program that assists children, youth, and their families to identify, express, prioritize and achieve their personal goals in a positive way. The primary focus is on parents of young children. The Building Blocks program is operated by the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Child & Family Services but serves all residents of the Mt.Waddington Regional area, aboriginal and non-aboriginal.