Update on the BC First Nations and Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health Strategy Area

March 9, 2012

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Overview

• Mat/Child Health Actions

• Context

• Strategic Direction

• Structure

• Current Work

• Discussion

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Providing vision, hearing

and dental screening for

Aboriginal children

Improving access to the full range of maternity

services for Aboriginal

women

Addressing issues arising from the BC Coroner’s

Office Child Death Review

Report

Developing an informational

campaign about seatbelt use and safe

driving

Maternal and Child Health ActionsThe Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan and the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan contain 4 health actions specific to maternal and child health:

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Maternal and child health priorities were identified by First Nations communities through the following:

• BC First Nations Submission on Blueprint for Aboriginal Health (2005)

• 3 Gathering Wisdom Forums (April 2007, May 2008, Nov 2009)

• Health Directors Forum (Sept 30 – Oct 1 2008)

• Regional Caucuses – FN Leadership Feedback and Input on Maternal and Child Health Issues (2008 – 2010)

4

Identification of Mat/Child Health Priorities by First Nations Communities

Strategic Direction for the Future

Vision

That First Nations and Aboriginal women, mothers, and children (0-6 years) are supported to reach and maintain optimal health outcomes.

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Strategic Direction for the Future

MissionPromoting the health and well-being of First Nations and Aboriginal women, mothers, and children by:

– Identifying barriers to services and approaches to overcoming barriers

– Identifying ‘better’ or ‘best’ practices which enhance health outcomes

– Closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health outcomes

– Ensuring the availability of culturally relevant and appropriate resources and services

– Ensuring equity of access to health resources and services 6

Strategic Direction for the Future

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Support comprehen-sive immuniz

a-tion

Effective engagem

ent to build

capacity

Ensure effective screenin

g and referral

programs

Support healthy early

childhood developm

entReduce

child deaths caused

by accident

and injury

Support developm

ent in MCH

Promote breastfeed-ing

Gather and share evaluatio

n and research informatio

nEnsure

standards and

guidelines are

appropriate

Improve access to

MCH services

Priorities

Mat/Child Health Structure

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Implementation

Examples

Strategic Direction & Planning

Tripartite Committee for First Nations and Aboriginal Maternal &

Child Health

Childhood Screening

Infant Safe

Sleep

Aboriginal Doula

Initiative

Complex Needs

Discharge Planning

Current Work

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Childhood screening• Vision:

– Screening equipment loans and training for communities

• Hearing: – Penelakut producing DVD to increase

awareness and access to infant screening

• Oral Health: – Seabird Island produced DVD outlining

child’s first dentist visit

– Environmental scan complete in preparation for a First Nations and Aboriginal Oral Health Strategy

Current Work

10

Infant Safe Sleep• In response to Child Death

Review report

• Development of culturally relevant resources to increase awareness and control over safe sleep practices

Current Work

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• Birthing support practices back into the hands of women

• Training to provide emotional, physical and spiritual support to families within their communities during pregnancy

Aboriginal Doula

Initiative

Current Work

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• Development of a model to enhance discharge planning for children with complex health care needs

• Community forum in April to follow-up on an earlier community meeting and obtain more input into model

• Potential demonstration of model on Vancouver Island

Complex Needs Discharge Planning

Your Turn…

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• What are the most pressing needs for MCH in your community?

• How can we best continue to engage with you and your communities?