Calgary Refugee Health Program Settlement Division Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Fariborz Birjandian RAP conference Vancouver February 2007

Airport Reception Settlement Coordinator Settlement Counselor Host Volunteer PoliceHealth School Board And ESL EmploymentOther CIC Settlement Counselor Housing Assistant Reception Staff MCRC Resident Caretaker MCRC Operations Manager Settlement Program

Health Program History Initial dialogue and MSDIF Proposal Service Launch in summer 2002 Phase 1 - Orientation, Service Model Phase 2 - Partnership and Program Development, Operational Data Collection Phase 3 - ARP and Infrastructure Development Phase 4 - Sustainability and Growth

Target Population Federally-sponsored refugees destined for Calgary Federally-sponsored refugees who relocate to Calgary within 1 year of arrival Refugee claimants Community-sponsored refugees Immigrants from refugee-like situations (family class immigrants)

Vision A community where immigrants coming from refugee-like situations are supported in their resettlement through the pursuit of optimal health.

Mission To optimize the health of our clients through the provision of integrated transitional primary health care and through enhanced access and coordination within the health system

Goals To enhance access to and coordination of health system services for new refugees To provide transitional primary care to new refugees to Calgary To increase appropriate disease prevention activities in new refugees to Calgary To enhance health protection services for refugees impacted by public health or communicable disease conditions To enhance and support health promotion strategies and initiatives to address important refugee health issues To advocate for and enhance responsiveness of the health system to meet the health needs of refugees To support health and settlement activities through improved coordination of services and mutual support To promote and develop the program in order to achieve its mission

Philosophy Successful settlement is the goal. Health services are in support of settlement. The health services are transitional. Clients are expected to integrate into society and the health system The emphasis is on enhancing access to and coordination of existing health system services rather than creating new services

Health Program Funding –Medical Services Budget (FFS and ARP) –Interim Federal Health –Medical Services Delivery Innovation Fund –Donations and in-kind contributions

Health Program Activities Access & Coordination Administration Clinical ServicesDisease Prevention Health Protection Health Promotion Program Promotion and Development Agency Support Advocacy/Education

Specific Service Examples

Agency Support Health-related activities to support other CCIS service divisions Workshops and seminars Responding to staff and agency concerns and questions

Program Promotion and Development Strategic and operational planning Management and evaluation Quality improvement Identifying and recruiting partners Infrastructure development Program promotion and awareness

Administrative Services Data tracking and analysis Intra and interagency communication Management, planning, operational, settlement, agency, and medical meetings Administration of the program

Access and Coordination Engage, partner with and support Health system –Providers –Programs Immigrant-serving agencies Clients Create new services Modify existing services Provide instrumental support

Clinical Services Triage and management of urgent conditions and client concerns (including after hours call) Client health intake and assessment Follow-up of health concerns identified on health intake Follow-up of problems identified through screening program Ongoing transitional primary care

Advocacy Participating in conferences and workshops Raising awareness of issues Working towards system improvement and responsiveness Supporting the training of international medical graduates

Disease Prevention Systematic Screening History Physical Examination Laboratory »Blood »Stool »Urine Increasing Uptake of other Clinical Preventive Measures Vaccinations

Health Protection Treatment and follow-up of communicable disease conditions Coordination with the CDC unit Coordination with Environmental Health Coordination with TB services Coordination with the STD clinic Coordination with SAC

Health Promotion Health Systems Orientation Insurance Vision and dental services Health system overview Women’s Health Child Health

Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre Health Program Phone: Fax:

Challenges to Service Delivery