The Ontario Public Health Convention March 25, 2015

Transcription

1 Community Food Works: Reframing core public health programming, food handler & food skills training to create employment opportunities for low- income populations The Ontario Public Health Convention March 25, 2015

2 CFPC Conflict of Interest Disclosure of Commercial Support Presenter Disclosure Presenter: Marian Yusuf Magdalena Wasilewska Darlene Watman Sureya Ibrahim Jill McDowell Relationships with commercial interests: Grants/Research Support: None Speakers Bureau/Honoraria: None Consulting Fees: None Other: None

3 ?

4 Presenters Marian Yusuf Nutrition Promotion Specialist, Toronto Public Health Magdalena Wasilewska Program Evaluator, Toronto Public Health Darlene Watman Manager, YWCA Employment Centre Sureya Ibrahim Community Engagement Worker, Centre for Community Learning & Development Jill McDowell Community Health Officer, Toronto Public Health

5 Toronto Food Strategy & Community Food Works Background Marian Yusuf MSc, RD Nutrition Promotion Specialist Toronto Public Health

6

7 Toronto Food Strategy

8 Food Strategy Vision Nutrition & disease prevention Social justice Local & diverse economic development Food System Strong communities Food literacy Environmental protection

9

10 Some of our projects: Mobile Good Food Market Healthier corner stores Food environment mapping Community Food Works Community food procurement

11 Community Food Works

12 Thursday June 19, 2014

13

14

15 Food Skills Food Safety Phase 1

16 Employment Food Skills Food Safety Phase 2

17

18

19

20

21

22 I was able to buy my daughter a winter coat, without having to ask my husband for money

23 Evaluation of Community Food Works Magdalena Wasilewska MPH, RD Program Evaluator Toronto Public Health

24

25 Methods Program Running Time J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D Pre and Post Knowledge Test Participant Feedback Agency Follow Up

26 2013 J F M A M Jun J July J Aug A 2014 J F M A M J J A S O N D S O N D % 88% enrolled Pre & Post wrote exam passed knowledge

27 Jobs obtained Food Sector Self Employed Other

28 Other Activity Actively Seeking Placement Program More Education Volunteer

29 ~50%

30 78%

31 90% +

32 100%

33 Performance Standards Quality Improvement TPH Vision and Strategic Direction Performance Measures Reporting of progress

34 Community Agency Perspective Darlene Watman YWCA Employment Centre 3730 Kingston Rd. Scarborough This Employment Ontario Program is funded by the Ontario government.

35

36 YWCA EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS & Other Services Shelter & Housing Employment & Training; Employment Ontario Programs JUMP Scarborough & Etobicoke, pre-apprenticeship Pre-employment programs, Moving on to Success (MOTS) Skills Development Centre (SDC) General Education Diploma (GED) Occasional Specific Partnerships Programming Essential Skills with TDSB, Community Food Works with Public Health

37 Employment Ontario Funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Located across Ontario Scarborough Network has approx. 16 sites We meet regularly and work together effectively, friendly competitors Scarborough Village

38 YWCA Employment Centre Services Resource and Information, referrals Other EO Programs: SC, Apprenticeship, TIOW, LBS, JCP, SEB, YEF Client Service Planning and Coordination Job Search Job Retention Job Matching, Placement and Incentives

39 Community Partnerships Toronto District School Board Toronto Employment & Social Services Native Child and Family Services Scarborough Village Recipe for Community Public Health... Community Food Works

40 3 Community Food Works Programs 42 participants in 3 programs Age range 19-57, mostly youth 1/3 of last group did not complete high school Not connected to their community Little or no work experience Expressed an interest to work in food industry Strong desire for certificates

41 Community Food Works the YW Experience Community Food Works Curriculum Food Handler Certificate; Knife Skills CPR Certification ; WHMIS Smart Serve Certification Employment Education resumes, interview skills, cover letters Employer Expectations and Placements Nutritious Snacks

42 Challenges Minimal education levels Lack of childcare Minimum wage food industry jobs Time management & commitment Lack of work and limited life experience Funding for certification for non-ow Unrealistic client expectations Kitchen space

43 Impacts/Rewards Certificates = Stronger Self-esteem Inspired some to pursue help (addictions, jobs, school) Job Placements = Work experience = Jobs New career choice in food related industry Stronger connection with community Understand nutrition and feed families differently

44 Results The story of the 3 M s and the Y

45 YWCA Employment Centres 3730 Kingston Golf Club Rd Serving Men, Women & Youth 3090 Kingston McCowan Rd Serving Women & Young Girls This Employment Ontario Program is funded by the Ontario government.

46 Community Agency Perspective Sureya Ibrahim Community Engagement Worker Centre for Community Learning and Development

47 Community Food Works Provide, for free, by Toronto Public Health 55 residents went through training Included sessions

48 Results The women have gained transferable skills that they can apply in other areas of their lives. For many of our participants, this is the first time in their lives that they are bringing in an income to their families. This has led to increased financial independence, confidence, and self-esteem.

49 Offering foodrelated training Knife skills for employment Health conscience meal planning with dietitian Food budging

50 rpcateringcollective.tccld.org

51

52 About Catering Collective Started in Fall active members Catered over 100 events

53 Training Supports Run health and food related workshops Research information regarding best business practices Developing business relationships and opportunities Coaching on job skills Create and maintain group s website

54 Demographics All members are resident of Regent Park or Moss Park 90% female Catering represents secondary income

55 Supports Supplement the cost of renting commercial kitchen space Buy large scale supplies Help coordinate catering jobs and payment of invoices Conduct marketing and media outreach

56 Examples of Community Catering

57 Highlights Competed in food challenge hosted by Toronto Public Health Participation in community events such has the International Women s Day Bazaar Radio, Television and online article from the CBC Participation in Regent Park Farmer s Market

58 Partnerships - Carving the path to health Jill McDowell Community Health Officer Healthy Communities Urban Issues Team Toronto Public Health

59 Strategic Plan STRATEGIC PLAN Mission Statement: Toronto Public Health reduces health inequities and improves the health of the whole population Foundational Principles: Accountability and Transparency Community Engagement Inclusion Health Equity Excellence

60 Urban Issues Team - Community Health Officers Work in partnerships with a range of stakeholders in Toronto neighbourhoods

61 Partnerships Grow with institutional support, and relationships built on trust Ahmadzai Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office Jill Toronto Public Health Toronto Public Health s Community Food Works Program

62 Partnerships Focus on community needs Healthy Eating Program for Newcomers

63 Partnerships Involve community members Ashrafi Ahmed, Inclusion Researcher

64 Partnerships Bring collective assets (and shared responsibilities) to the table Photo credit: Santis Health, Health Care Gap Analysis for Thorncliffe Park April 2014

65 Partnerships Succeed when you have Clearly defined vision Firm commitments Time A strong facilitator A welcoming culture Adequate resources

66 Partnerships Take work but are well worth it!!

67

68

69 Questions How far can a local agency go to support a catering initiative such as the Regent Park Catering Collective?

70 Questions Do you think that public health units need to be involved in employment initiatives?

71 Questions What challenges would your organization have in evaluating a similar program?