1. Northern Communities Coming Together to Advance Tobacco Control: The Evaluation of the Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit (NEOTS) Presented by Michèle Parent Darshaka Malaviarachchi June 03, 2003

2. Acknowledgements  Cancer Care Ontario  Health Canada  Wendy Carew, Chair  Cindy Russell, Project Coordinator  Eve Nadler, PHRED Program

3. Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit (NEOTS)  Multi-phased strategic process in six health unit catchment areas: Algoma Health Unit Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit North Bay & District Health Unit Porcupine Health Unit Sudbury & District Health Unit Timiskaming Health Unit

4. Purpose of the NEOTS  To plan, host, and evaluate an innovative Northeastern Ontario Tobacco Summit conference in the spring of 2002 that would create the momentum, relationships and direction required to reduce the number of people smoking, and eliminate environmental tobacco smoke  To develop and support a mechanism for follow-up actions as a result of the conference

5. The NEOTS Process  Engage a regional approach  Include youth, Francophone and Aboriginal components  Involve individuals from different sectors  Address environmental tobacco smoke, and smoking cessation

6. Steering Committee  Involve business, hospitality, political, youth, community, education & health sectors Health Units, NEORCC, DHC, Community Agencies, CLR, Aboriginal People, Canadian Cancer Society, Lung Association, Canadore College

7. Three Stages of the NEOTS Process  Preparing communities  Creating a Regional Strategy  Sustaining action

8. Stage One – Preparing Communities  Building community capacity  Encouraging participation from all sectors  Sub-committees  Community Liaison Representatives (CLRs)

9. Stage Two – Creating a Regional Strategy  NEOTS Conference (June 10-12, 2002)  Facilitated by ICA Associates Inc.  Over 165 participants

10. Conference Process  Intensive small group sessions – diverse range of topics  Sessions generated five Summit recommendations

11. Stage Three – Sustaining Action  Still in development and action phase  Intended to sustain recommendations across Northeastern Ontario  Continued local and regional communication  Consultant to assist with sustainability plan

12. Evaluation Component  Public Health Research, Education and Development (PHRED) Program at the Sudbury & District Health Unit  Participatory focused evaluation approach  Evaluation plan developed with steering committee

13. Evaluation Questions 1.Did we increase involvement through all community sectors and non-traditional groups in tobacco control efforts in Northeastern Ontario? 2.Did we increase local and regional collaboration regarding tobacco control in Northeastern Ontario? 3.Did we identify strategic directions and develop action plans for all the 3 phases of the Summit? 4.Did we establish infrastructure and support within the 3 phases to implement and build this plan? 5.Were the adopted resolutions implemented?

14. Phases of the Evaluation  Phase 1 - Pre-Summit Conference  Phase 2 - Summit Conference  Phase 3 - Post-Summit Conference

15. Evaluation Phase 1  Tracking Form Diversity of sector participation Range of support for tobacco control initiatives Provided baseline information to assess the impact of NEOTS  Assessment of Conference Promotion Canvassed over 1200 businesses Distribution of 30,000 flyers across six catchment areas  Steering Committee Information (Minutes)

16. Evaluation Phase 2  Daily Evaluations Demonstrated geographical and sector representation Respondents expectations were met and exceeded

17. Evaluation Phase 2  Focus Groups with participants and CLR Appreciation for diverse perspectives Concern regarding sector representation Gaining awareness of business, youth and Aboriginal concerns

18. Evaluation Phase 2  Impact Questionnaires Over 80% rated format as helpful Support a future forum of this type 60% indicated conference helpful in increasing local and regional collaboration

19. Evaluation Phase 2  Steering Committee Debriefing  Steering Committee Minutes

20. Evaluation Phase 2 - Results  Positive feedback on the NEOTS process  Achieved intended objectives  Provided Steering Committee with renewal and reassurance  Stage Two - Creating a Regional Strategy is ongoing

21. Evaluation Phase 3  Tracking Form comparison  Steering Committee Minutes  Steering Committee Debriefing

22. NEOTS Summary  Currently in stage three of its multi-phased strategic process  Further developing regional strategy  Sustaining actions from the Summit Conference (via RFP)  Positive impact on Northeastern Ontario regarding tobacco issues

23. Evaluation Lessons Learned  Evaluation results are being used in further planning and development  Requires a multi-disciplinary team  Need excellent communication skills  Flexibility  Costly undertaking  High time commitment due to complexity