The Small Business Health Model - A Guide to Developing and Implementing the Workplace Health System in Small Business

Section 2

Getting started

To begin building a Small Business Health Model you must first test the water in your community for:

Interest Are people concerned about health-related issues? Are they willing to become involved in addressing those issues?

Resources Are people willing to contribute, beyond personal involvement, the resources needed to run a Small Business Health Model?

Organizers Is there a core of willing, dedicated "doers"?

In testing, you provide people in the community with information about the Small Business Health Model. You begin to lay the groundwork by learning about people, and their concerns. You begin to gain acceptance of the Model from employers and employees, service agencies and business associations. And you begin to discover something about the community's health needs.

If the level of interest and willingness to support the Small Business Health Model is sufficiently broad, you are ready to proceed with the Orientation Step 1 to implementing the Workplace Health System.

Section 3

Implementation

Having completed some of the groundwork in the first phase

Getting Started you are now ready to proceed with the Seven Steps to developing and implementing the Workplace Health System through the Small Business Health Model.

The SEVEN STEPS are:

• Orientation
• Getting Organized
• Assessing Needs
• Workplace Health Profile
• Small Business Health Plan
• Annual Program Action Plan
• Progress Review

Step 1 Orientation

The orientation session provides more information about the Small Business Health Model than was given during initial contacts in the Getting Started phase. The orientation is usually conducted by a representative of the provincial ministry or agency that is Health and Welfare Canada's partner. (see Appendix 1 for a suggested outline of what the orientation should cover.)

The people who attend will want more information and will want to ask some questions before committing to further involvement. But based on what they learn at the orientation, some will likely be ready to become involved in some way. They may want to become the Coordinating Agency, a Small Business Health Committee member, or participant.

The focus of the orientation will depend on how you want to address the various groups that attend. The session could address all interested parties or separate sessions could be held, one for small business people, and another for potential Coordinating Agency representatives and service providers. No matter what the makeup, the format for the orientation can be similar.

A display depicting healthy lifestyles, environments, etc. can help set the tone. Health service providers can assist with a display, as can the provincial representative who conducts the orientation.

Have folders that contain the elements of the session and basic Small Business Health Model information ready for participants.