Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit - Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027

A message from Mayor Amy Martin and Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley

The Board of Health and the Health and Social Services Advisory Committee are pleased to have participated in the development of a forward-looking strategic plan for our public health unit that builds on past strengths and acknowledges future challenges. Now more than ever, it is abundantly clear to us all that everyone has a role to play in public health. We recognize that Haldimand and Norfolk Counties have built a robust public health system that prioritizes the community first, and will continue to advocate for our citizens wellbeing while we navigate any overall system changes. HNHU cannot achieve its mission alone, and we thank our current and future partners for collaborating with the Health Unit to create a more effective public health system. We also wish to thank all of the Health Unit staff for their continued commitment to serving local residents, and for working each day to make Haldimand and Norfolk Counties healthier places to live, work and play.

Martin

Shelley Ann Bentley

Amy

Mayor, Norfolk County Chair, Board of Health

Mayor, Haldimand County Chair, HSS Advisory Committee

A

message from the Medical

Officer of Health, Director of Public Health and General Manager of Health & Social Services

We are excited to present the HNHU Strategic Plan for 2024-2027. This plan encompasses the vision, mission, values and strategic goals and objectives that will guide our way forward to ensuring equitable access to public health, a safe and comprehensive delivery of services, and promoting a thriving population across Haldimand and Norfolk Counties.

As we move forward into a changing public health landscape, we know that every member of the Public Health teams will play a vital role in achieving the goals laid out in this plan. We share our sincere gratitude to all partners, within public health and across the community, who assisted with the strategic planning process and who work with us every day to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents in both Counties. Your extraordinary efforts are greatly valued and appreciated.

Dr. Joyce Lock Medical Officer of Health

Syed Shah Director, Public Health

Sarah Page General Manager, Health and Social Services

Who We Are

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) works to protect and promote the health of all residents of Haldimand and Norfolk and the communities where they live, work, play and learn.

Our programs, as mandated by the Ontario Public Health Standards, respond to public health emergencies, promote healthy lifestyles, help prevent injuries, illness and disease, and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health for everyone.

HNHU serves the counties of Haldimand and Norfolk, with a combined population of 116,872 people living in rural communities and small urban centres.

Our Strategic Plan

The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s strategic plan will serve as a foundation that outlines our priorities for the next four years to help us meet the public health needs of the community while responding to changes in the public health system. This plan communicates our priorities with our partners and the communities we serve and will inform HNHU’s decisions.

HNHU employees, partners, and members of the Board of Health and Health & Social Services Advisory Committee were engaged to identify the strategic priorities and goals that form the strategic plan. We also built on HNHU’s 2022 Community Needs Assessment (CNA), which engaged community members, partner agencies and internal staff to understand the current health and social status of the local community.

Grounding Principles

• We see the community as a whole, considering its rural context.

• We use evidence-informed practices.

• We work ‘upstream’.

• We work across the life span.

• We use a trauma-informed approach, including safety, transparency & trustworthiness, choice, collaboration & mutuality, and empowerment.

• We use an equity, diversity, and inclusivity approach. We support & promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Vision

Healthy, vibrant, caring communities for all Mission

Working together to improve, promote, and protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve

Values

Collaboration - We foster relationships to effectively achieve shared goals.

Equity - We recognize the advantages and disadvantages community members experience and strive to reduce barriers so all people can achieve their optimal health.

Integrity - We serve with transparency, accountability, and dedication.

Strategic Priorities

Workforce Well-being and Resilience

Fostering an enriching work environment that supports the mental health, well-being and resiliency of staff

Health Equity

Supporting equitable opportunities for health by assisting all communities to reach their full health potential

Community and Sector Relationships

Nurturing meaningful relationships with partners and communities to improve public health and address priority

health issues

Change Management

Effectively navigating system changes in public health

Health Equity

Supporting equitable opportunities for health by assisting all communities to reach their full health potential

Objectives

• Strengthen organizational capacity to integrate health equity in all programs and services

• Engage with a diversity of people, including people with lived and living experiences, as we develop and implement public health initiatives

• Promote mental health and decrease harms associated with substance use through comprehensive approaches

Community and Sector Relationships

Nurturing meaningful relationships with partners and communities to improve public health and address priority health issues

Objectives

• Establish and enhance relationships with communities and partners, including Indigenous communities

• Execute external communication strategies to articulate and promote HNHU’s value and role in community health efforts

• Enhance and explore new models of service through community collaboration and partnership

Workforce Well-being and Resilience

Fostering an enriching work environment that supports the mental health, well-being and resiliency of staff

Objectives

• Promote employee psychological safety and well-being

• Sustain a work culture where staff are acknowledged, engaged and empowered

• Cultivate a work environment of learning and development to support individual growth and organizational goals

Change Management

Effectively navigating system changes in public health

Objectives

• Guide HNHU, municipalities, partners and the community through organizational change

• Build organizational capacity and skills to effectively manage change

• Maintain effective public health practice and quality of programs as HNHU navigates change