2003-2004 HIV/AIDS Work Plan
Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS
Program Element: First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB),
Health Canada, Health Canada
Budget: $1.1 M from Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA) plus additional
FNIHB program funds
Project/Activity Title - Revision of the First
Nations Inuit Health Branch HIV Policy and Program Guidelines
Description
During 2002-2003 FNIHB contracted for revision of program
and policy guidelines. National guidelines provide a consistent
program and policy framework which FNIHB regions and communities
may use to establish standards of HIV/AIDS care, treatment and
support for First Nations and Inuit communities. The guidelines
provide updated information on available resources for care providers
Deliverables
- Completed bilingual guidelines
- National dissemination to Regions and communities
Expected Results
- Provides a foundation for consistent standards nationally in
the provision of HIV/AIDS care to on reserve First Nations and
Inuit communities.
- Provides care givers with revised updated information.
Project/Activity Title - Canadian Aboriginal
AIDS Network (CAAN) to develop a National Aboriginal Strategy on
HIV/AIDS
Description
A national Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy has been developed
through a multi-year joint contribution agreement between First
Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Population and Public
Health Branch (PPHB) and the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN).
Activities for this year will include additional consultation,
finalizing the strategy, and the development of an implementation
guide for communities.
Deliverables
- Dissemination of bilingual National Aboriginal Strategy
- Development of community implementation guidelines
Expected Results
- The National Strategy will provide a document that is appropriate
for and sensitive to the needs of First Nations and Inuit communities
and in keeping with the overall goals of the CSHA.
- Promotes collaboration between FNI community sectors in moving
towards a social justice framework aimed at addressing the risk
of transmission of HIV.
- The first population specific strategy in Canada.
Project/Activity Title - Assembly of First Nations
(AFN) Development of a First Nations HIV/AIDS Peer Education and
Training Program
Description
Through a contribution agreement between FNIHB and AFN,
a peer education program for First Nations targeted at First Nations
youth and focussed on providing support to those infected with
and affected by HIV/AIDS will be developed. The program will address
issues on prevention, education, transmission, risk behaviours
and harm reduction. This program will address the specific issues
of First Nations youth in a culturally appropriate context. Peer
education is known to be an effective mechanism for educating and
influencing hard to reach populations.
Deliverables
- Development of a First Nations HIV/AIDS Youth Peer Education
Program Manual
- National "Train the trainer" workshops for First
Nations youth.
Expected Results
- First Nations youth will attend Peer Education workshops and
receive training on HIV/AIDS.
- These trainers will in turn return to their communities and
educate other youth to become peer educators thus enhancing HIV/AIDS
knowledge and information among First Nations youth.
- Contributes to the goals of the CSHA in addressing the needs
of vulnerable populations and assisting in decreasing the incidence
of HIV among Aboriginal peoples.
- Wide dissemination and use of the peer education model by
First Nations on reserve communities.
Project/Activity Title - 15th Annual International
Two Spirit Gathering Geneva Park, Rama Ontario. July 20 to 25 2003
Description
The Annual International Two-Spirit Gatherings have been
a means to bring together two-spirit Aboriginal people. The focus
of these gatherings has traditionally been on holistic healing,
honouring history, prevention and awareness particularly in reference
to HIV/AIDS, reducing the harm associated with substance use, traditional
healing and cultural activities, training and education. Healing,
sharing and talking circles will be offered and traditional teachings
and ceremonies will take place throughout the event. Workshops
on topics such as health promotion, healthy sexuality, prevention
of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other critical issues affecting two-spirit
people will be offered. Two-spirit people will gather together
in a supportive environment, and counsellors, healers and Elders
will be available to address any issues that may arise
Deliverables
- Scholarships for attendance/ participation by First Nations
and Inuit two-spirited people.
- Demonstrate attendance by First Nations and Inuit two-spirited
people.
- A formal end report on the activities of the gathering
Expected Results
- Provision of on reserve and Inuit two-spirited people with
support, information and knowledge around dealing with issues
related to HIV and dispelling discrimination.
- Information sharing upon return to communities
- Fulfilling expectations of the CSHA on engaging vulnerable
populations.
Project/Activity Title - Pauktuutit Inuit Women's
Association
Description
FNIHB supports the activities of the Pauktuutit Inuit
Women's Association through an annual contribution agreement. Activities
will centre on HIV education, prevention, care, treatment and support
of Inuit women. The focus for this year will be women, HIV and
pregnancy issues around testing and vertical transmission. This
will be accomplished through working with other key First Nations/Inuit
partners and the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
to develop educational materials for First Nations and Inuit women.
Deliverables
- Production of culturally appropriate brochures
- Report on the distribution of HIV testing /pregnancy educational
materials to First Nations and Inuit physicians and community
health providers serving this population
Expected Results
- Assist First Nations and Inuit women to recognize the need
for HIV testing prior to and during pregnancy.
- Offer information related to prevention and harm reduction
activities to women and youth.
- Assist physicians in approaching and addressing issues of
HIV testing during pregnancy.
- With time, decrease the vertical transmission of HIV.
Project/Activity Title - Membership/ participation
on Federal/Provincial/Territorial(FPT) AIDS Advisory Committee
Description
The FPT Committee on AIDS identifies and provides expert
advice to the Advisory Committee on Public Health who report to
the First Ministers of Health on issues related to HIV/AIDS in
Canada.
The FPT AIDS committee is currently developing a strategic plan
to ensure an expert body can identify emerging issues and respond
to requests related to HIV/AIDS from the First Ministers. Three
face to face meetings held annually. FPT AIDS contributes to a
decline in new HIV infections by providing a timely, effective
and efficient collaborative governmental approach to issues related
to HIV/AIDS in Canada.
Deliverables
- Production of an annual report with FNIHB specific input • Production
of FPT/AIDS Strategic Plan
- Identify/provide advice on emerging and urgent issues related
to HIV/AIDS in Canada. This can happen in an ongoing and ad hoc
manner.
- Development of reports/ background papers/ guiding principles
or frameworks on policy issues are developed.
Expected Results
- Ensure that the concerns of a vulnerable population are heard
given the over representation of Aboriginal people infected/affected
by the HIV epidemic.
- Improved federal, provincial and territorial coordination
through collaborative actions.
- Evidence based analysis of HIV issues.
- Flexibility to respond to emerging issues.
- Increased accountability
- Respectful interactions based on the identified needs of First
Nations and Inuit people.
Project/Activity Title - Strategic Management & Coordination
of the FNIHB HIV/AIDS National Program
Description
FNIHB HIV Program coordinates operations and facilitates
regional HIV activities based on identified regional needs and
priorities. These needs come from First Nations and Inuit communities,
community based research, advocacy groups, etc.
Headquarters coordinates grants and contributions to national Aboriginal
Organizations providing services to First Nations on reserves and
Inuit communities.
Develops a national work plan based on identified needs from regional
coordinators.
Deliverables
- Produce workplans
- Summary report of FNIHB annual HIV activities
- Draft FNIHB strategic framework for programming and accountability
- Hold national/ regional meetings to explore collaborative
activities and set priorities related to HIV programs
Expected Results
- Improved communications with national and regional offices.
- Identification of emerging HIV/AIDS issues in First Nations
and Inuit communities.
- Team building and collaboration among regional and national
headquarters.
- Sharing of best practices
- Identify opportunities for regional and national activities.
Project/Activity Title - Evaluation First Nations
Inuit Health Branch HIV/AIDS Program
Description
Through funding from the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS,
FNIHB provides funding for HIV activities to on reserve First Nations
and Inuit communities. This funding program through FNIHB/CSHA
has been in place since 1997. External contractors will conduct
the evaluation with a focus on the impact of the FNIHB HIV program.
This will be done through consultation with national, regional
and community stakeholders. Telephone interviews and site visits
will also inform the document. Recommendations will be a part of
the evaluation document.
Deliverables
- Production of an evaluation report by the consultants.
- Conduct regional consultation on the completed evaluation
- Develop a framework to address the directions of the evaluation
- Dissemination of the completed evaluation document
Expected Results
- Documentation regarding the variety of HIV focussed programs
and activities within FNIHB national and regional headquarters.
- Evidence-based information to inform the development and expansion
of programs and policies both at a national and regional level.
- Sharing of best practices
- Identify gaps in service provision
- Will inform the CSHA five year evaluation on First Nations
and Inuit HIV/AIDS activities.
- Provides accountability around the program and allocated funds.
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