Supplementary Information Tables: 2013–14 Departmental Performance Report

Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC)

Name of transfer payment program: AHSUNC (Voted)
Start date: 1995–96
End date: Ongoing

Description: This program builds capacity by providing funding to Aboriginal community organizations to deliver comprehensive, culturally appropriate, early childhood development programs for Aboriginal preschool children and their families living off-reserve and in urban and northern communities across Canada. It engages stakeholders and supports knowledge development and exchange on promising public health practices for Aboriginal preschoolers through training, meetings and workshops. The primary goal of the program is to mitigate inequities in health and developmental outcomes for Aboriginal children in urban and northern settings by supporting early intervention strategies that cultivate a positive sense of self, a desire for learning, and opportunities to develop successfully as young people. Funded projects offer programming focused on health promotion, nutrition, culture and language, parent and family involvement, social support and educational activities. The program responds to an ongoing gap in culturally appropriate programming for Aboriginal children and families living in urban and northern communities. Research confirms that early childhood development programs can provide long-term benefits such as lower costs for remedial and special education, increased levels of high school completion and better employment outcomes. Contributions under this transfer payment program (TPP) are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The AHSUNC program provided services to approximately 4,600 children at 133 sites across the country, which represents approximately 8% of eligible Aboriginal children of three to five years of age living off-reserve. The program has had a positive effect on school readiness skills, specifically in improving children’s language, motor and academic skills. In addition, it has demonstrated effectiveness in improving cultural literacy and enhanced exposure to Aboriginal languages and cultures. Moreover, the program demonstrated positive effects on health by promoting behaviours such as children’s access to daily physical activity and health services.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 31.8 31.5 32.1 32.7 32.7 (0.6)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 31.8 31.5 32.1 32.7 32.7 (0.6)

Comments on variances: Not Applicable (N/A)

Audits completed or planned: N/A

Evaluations completed or planned: 2011–12 (completed); 2016–17 (planned)

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Recipients are engaged through targeted solicitations. Funded recipients deliver comprehensive, culturally appropriate, locally controlled and designed early childhood development programs for Aboriginal pre-school children and their families living in urban and northern communities across Canada. They also support knowledge development and exchange at the community, provincial/territorial (P/T), and national levels through training, meeting and exchange opportunities.

 

Assessed Contribution to the Pan American Health Organization (ACPAHO)

Name of transfer payment program: ACPAHO (Voted)
Start date: July 2008
End date: Ongoing

Description: Payment of Canada’s annual membership fees to the PAHO. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: International Health Grants Program funding has met its primary objective of protecting the health of Canadians and contributing to the security of the region. As a Member State and partner of PAHO, Canada responded to 18 requests for technical support, helping to build capacity in the region through information exchange and sharing of best practices. Canada also worked with and supported World Health Organization (WHO)/PAHO Collaborating Centres (27 out of 188 are located in Canada and six are within the Health Portfolio). This support enabled international norms and standards to be upheld, and strengthened the collaboration and understanding of global health issues of priority to Canada (i.e., WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centres meeting on mental health). Additionally, funding to PAHO supported the Biennial Work Plan, which included projects that contributed to:

  • Strengthening national regulatory authorities in food safety, pharmaceutical products and medical devices;
  • Strengthening the health sector capacity to detect, treat and prevent intrafamily violence;
  • Building capacity in telehealth/telemedicine in remote areas and in Haiti; and
  • Building capacity in mental health and substance use reduction in the Region and among Indigenous peoples.

As a country of the Americas, Canada is entitled to membership in PAHO. As a Member, the Agency participates in governing body meetings and provides contributions to fund the Organization. Membership provides an opportunity for Canada to exert influence in decision making bodies and processes. In 2013, Canada began a three-year term on PAHO’s Executive Committee. Representation on this committee positions Canada to exercise an oversight role and influence decisions related to governance, transparency and accountability. In addition, the Executive Committee membership has provided a constructive forum to strengthen Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relations in the region.

Program: Public Health Infrastructure ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 0.0 11.7 12.5 13.5 13.3 (0.8)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 0.0 11.7 12.5 13.5 13.3 (0.8)

Comments on variances: Canada’s annual assessed contribution for PAHO is calculated using the American dollar. Variances from planned versus actual spending is related to the currency conversion rates between the American and Canadian dollars.

Audits completed or planned: N/A

Evaluations completed or planned: 2013–14

Engagement of applicants and recipients: As a member of PAHO, Canada sits on the Directing Council as a voting member, thereby influencing the direction of the PAHO’s work as well as the use of its budgets.

 

Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)

Name of transfer payment program: CPNP (Voted)
Start date: 1994–95
End date: Ongoing

Description: This program builds capacity by providing funding to community organizations to deliver and enable access to programs that promote the health of vulnerable pregnant women and their infants. It also supports knowledge development and exchange on promising public health practices related to maternal-infant health for vulnerable families, community-based organizations and practitioners. The goal of the program is to mitigate inequities in health for pregnant women and infants who face challenging life circumstances such as low socio-economic status, lack of food security, social and geographic isolation. Evidence shows that maternal nutrition, social and emotional support can affect both prenatal and infant health, as well as longer-term physical, cognitive and emotional functioning in adulthood. This program raises stakeholder awareness and supports a coherent, evidence-based response to the needs of vulnerable children and families on a local and national scale. Programming delivered across the country includes nutrition counselling, prenatal vitamins, food and food coupons, parenting classes, education on prenatal health, infant care, child development, healthy living and social supports. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The CPNP provided services to approximately 59,000 participants (including pregnant women and parents and caregivers) in 2012–13. CPNP participants face various conditions of risk, for example: over 80% of participants had monthly household incomes of $1,900 or less; nearly 10% reported no income at all; 80% were pregnant; 12% were less than 20 years of age; 36% were single parents; and 22% were Aboriginal.

The CPNP demonstrated a positive impact on health behaviours including: improved use of vitamin mineral supplements during pregnancy; reduced alcohol consumption; reduced smoking; and increased initiation and duration of breastfeeding. CPNP has also demonstrated a positive impact on birth outcomes, including lower rates of infants born with low birth weight and pre-term births.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 26.3 26.4 27.2 28.1 27.8 (0.6)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 26.3 26.4 27.2 28.1 27.8 (0.6)

Comments on variances: N/A

Audits completed or planned: N/A

Evaluations completed or planned: 2009–10 (completed); 2016–17 (planned)

Engagement of applicants and recipients: CPNP funding recipients play an important role in responding to their participants’ needs. Recipient organizations are engaged though monitoring and program support in areas that include program delivery and knowledge development and exchange. Recipient engagement in national strategic projects on emerging issues is supported through the CAPC/CPNP National Projects Fund, which includes training opportunities, the development of a national network of community-based children’s programs and a shared knowledge base.

 

Canadian Diabetes Strategy (CDS)

Name of transfer payment program: CDS (Voted)
Start date: 2005–06
End date: Ongoing

Description: Chronic diseases are one of the leading causes of death and reduced quality of life in Canada and the risk factors that lead to these prevalent chronic diseases are becoming more common. The diabetes program responds to the rising incidence of diabetes due to an increasingly inactive and overweight Canadian population by sharing evidence-based knowledge and supporting interventions targeted at preventing and early detection of diabetes. The program also supports federal leadership by facilitating multi-sectoral partnerships between governments, non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector to ensure that resources are deployed to maximum effect. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The Agency continued to test various funding arrangements and partnerships models, including pay-for-performance models that tie payment to tangible outcomes. A total of 10 projects received funding under the CDS in 2013–14 using the multi-sectoral partnership approach to promote healthy living and prevent chronic diseases. This includes three examples below that will assess short-, medium-, and long-term changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviour related to diabetes and healthy lifestyles.

First, a partnership between the Agency, Right to Play and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment supports the Play for Prevention Program addresses the gaps in diabetes prevention among Aboriginal youth in urban and off-reserve settings by focussing on education, awareness and the promotion of healthy and active living.

Second, in collaboration with the Dietitians of Canada and Sykes Assistance Services, the Lawson Health Research Institute disseminates exercise prescriptions for families living in rural and remote communities across the country, as well as creating mobile applications for healthy eating and physical activity tracking.

Third, the Build on Kids’ Success before-school physical activity program is available for the first time in Canada through a five-year partnership between the Agency, Reebok Canada, the Reebok Canada Fitness Foundation, and the Canadian Football League. Under this initiative, partners work together to address the obstacles that prevent children from acquiring sufficient physical activity so they can lead a more active and healthier lifestyle.

To achieve greater accountability for results and directly link payments to concrete deliverables, in 201314, the CDS began implementing a pay-for-performance framework for newly funded projects. As such, data on the reach of the program and its effect on long-term outcomes such as physical activity or healthy eating habits will be available in June 2015.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 1.2
Total contributions 3.9 4.8 5.1 2.8 2.7 2.4
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 3.9 4.8 6.3 2.8 2.7 3.6

Comments on variances: The program underspending was due to the complexity of the funded projects and a longer than anticipated time for the development of partnerships and the leveraging of funding from private sector and other partners.

Audits completed or planned: 2010 Internal Audit of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control;2013 Spring Report of the Auditor General of Canada.

Evaluations completed or planned: An evaluation on the CDS for the period 2004–09 was completed in 2008–09 as part of the Promotion of Population Health Grant and Contribution Programs: Summary of Program Evaluations, 2004–09. A Formative Evaluation for Diabetes Community-based Programming was completed in 2008–09. Evaluations of the grants and contributions components of Chronic Diseases Prevention and Mitigation, including the Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, are planned for 2014–15.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Funding opportunities are made available through the Multi-sectoral Partnerships to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease,which engages multiple sectors of society to leverage knowledge, expertise, reach and resources, to work towards the common shared goal of producing better health outcomes for Canadians.

 

Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)

Name of transfer payment program: CAPC (Voted)
Start date: 1993–94
End date: Ongoing

Description: This program builds capacity by providing funding to community organizations to deliver and enable access to programming that promotes the healthy development of at-risk children 0–6 years and their families. The program also supports knowledge development and exchange on promising public health practices for at-risk families, community-based organizations and practitioners. The goal of the program is to mitigate health inequalities for at-risk children and families facing challenging life circumstances such as low socio-economic status, teenage parents, those facing situations of violence or neglect, social and geographic isolation, or tobacco or substance use/abuse. Special emphasis is given to the inclusion of Aboriginal children and families living in urban and rural communities. Compelling evidence shows that risk factors affecting the health and development of children can be mitigated over the life-course by investing in early intervention services that address the needs of the whole family. This program raises stakeholder awareness and supports a coherent, evidence-based response to the needs of at-risk children and families on a local and national scale. Programming across the country may include education on health, nutrition, early childhood development, parenting, healthy living and social supports. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The CAPC provided services to over 218,000 participants, including Aboriginal children and families, living in a variety of communities consisting of more than 3,000 urban, rural and remote or isolated communities. The CAPC successfully reached priority populations including: 20% of participants who self-identified as Aboriginal; 61% who reported living with low income; 27% had less than high school education; 32% were single parents; 14% were recent immigrants; and 14% were families with special needs children. The CAPC contributed to participant health and social development, which is associated with positive child development health outcomes, and enhanced both community and parental capacity.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 54.7 55.1 53.4 56.6 56.4 (3.0)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 54.7 55.1 53.4 56.6 56.4 (3.0)

Comments on variances: N/A

Audits completed or planned: 201516

Evaluations completed or planned: 2009–10 (completed); 2016–17 (planned)

Engagement of applicants and recipients: CAPC funding recipients play an important role in responding to their participants’ needs. Recipient organizations are engaged though monitoring and program support in areas that include program delivery and knowledge development and exchange. Recipient engagement in national strategic projects on emerging issues is supported through the CAPC/CPNP National Projects Fund, which includes training opportunities, the development of a national network of community-based children’s programs, and a shared knowledge base.

 

Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada (FI)

Name of transfer payment program: FI (Voted)
Start date: January 2005
End date: Ongoing

Description: Contributions toward FI. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The recent FI evaluation suggested that the Agency’s investment in the community-based response is contributing to achieving its outcomes. At the same time, activities to address barriers to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support would be strengthened through collaboration with other levels of government and other sectors involved in direct service delivery to people at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.

In September 2013, the Agency launched a process to amend 184 currently funded projects. The Agency engaged its stakeholders in the integration of the administration of its transfer payments under the FI and the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support and Research Program. In the process, it consolidated 30% of funded projects and decreased the number of contribution agreements from 184 to 130 in accordance with streamlining objectives. The Agency continued to explore new delivery models to support intersectoral partnerships, to realize efficiencies and increased program effectiveness in organizational capacity, engagement and collaboration, and to access effective care, treatment and support interventions that address HIV, Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBIs), and other related health factors. In 201314, under the Health Portfolio Northern Wellness Approach, the Agency approved the inclusion of FI transfer payment funding in contribution agreements with the Government of Nunavut and the Government of the Northwest Territories. This project funding supported communities according to individual community wellness plans, and included holistic approaches to disease prevention and health promotion activities.

Increased Knowledge and Awareness

The FI evaluation found that regionally based community-funded projects helped participants to increase HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness by providing tools to manage their illness and/or that of family members. Some participants reported a stronger sense of empowerment to manage their illness and adopt protective behaviours.

Participants from a sample of 18 projects noted that their participation in AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) projects helped respond to all of their needs including medical, psychological and spiritual. They also reported that these projects provided them with up-to-date information about treatment developments and options which allowed them to make more informed choices about their care. Data suggested that such projects are especially important in rural and remote areas where health practitioners were considered by some respondents to be less familiar with HIV management. Some participants noted that these projects provided the information necessary to help prevent transmission of the disease.

From 2009 to 2013, over 96,000 individuals reported that they had increased their knowledge of HIV transmission and its risk factors as a result of an ACAP intervention or activity. From
2010 to 2013, the percentage of target populations who reported increased knowledge about HIV transmission and risk factors as a result of an ACAP funded intervention, increased from 37% in 2010 to 60% in 2013.

From 2009 to 2013, over 66,000 individuals reported that they intended to adopt practices that may reduce the transmission of HIV, as a result of an ACAP intervention or activity. From 2010 to 2013, the percentage of target populations reached through an ACAP intervention who reported their intention to change practices to reduce the risk of HIV transmission increased from 20% in 2010 to 63% in 2013.

Individual and Organizational Capacity

Community-based organizational capacity continued to be enhanced through the national knowledge exchange and capacity building activities delivered by the FI’s knowledge broker, CATIE. This broker has been effective in increasing the capacity of front-line organizations to plan and deliver programs and services that are responsive to the needs of their communities.
In 2013–14, with the help of 1,590 volunteers contributing about 25,330 hours, nationally funded projects leveraged other sources of funding for their projects totalling $1.3M and conducted activities to increase organizational capacity as well as the capacity of their clients and of other target audiences. Funded projects conducted capacity building activities for 9,924 individuals and for 67 organizations.

Engagement and Collaboration on Approaches to Address HIV and AIDS

In 2013, 98% of nationally-based projects reported having entered into or maintained partnership arrangements for a total of more than 604 partnerships. The majority of partnerships (46%) were with the health sector, 24% were with the social service sector, and 14% were with the education sector. Other sectors identified included research/academia, justice and aboriginal sectors. The majority of these partnerships (66%) were with the not-for-profit sector, 27% were with the public sector, and 5% were with the private sector.

In 2013, 13% of regionally-based projects reported partnerships with Aboriginal organizations. At the same time, early indicators suggest that the national Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) project substantially increased its numbers of partners, improved outreach through web-based and community-readiness activities, and increased organizational access to culturally appropriate resources across Canada. In recent years, CAAN assumed an active role in the facilitation of knowledge exchange and transfer. Canadian Institutes of Health Research funding supported Aboriginal community-based organizations (including Friendship Centres, researchers, and Aboriginal people living with HIV/AIDS) in national networks focused on building capacity and addressing health issues for at-risk populations and infected individuals through a community-centered holistic approach.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants 0.2 0.5 7.4 0.1 0.0 7.4
Total contributions 21.9 22.9 16.8 24.0 23.8 (7.0)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 22.1 23.4 24.2 24.1 23.8 0.4

Comments on variances: N/A

Audits completed or planned: 2013–14 Planned (expected completion 2014–15)

Evaluation completed or planned: 2013–14 (completed)

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Senior departmental officials engaged with national non-governmental organizations to discuss the development of the new HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund which will be implemented in 2017. Agency officials continued to engage in activities with community-based organizations to promote knowledge exchange and to support the development of regionally specific approaches to HIV/AIDS, including webinars, face-to-face meetings, and multi stakeholder workshops.

 

Healthy Living Fund (HLF)

Name of transfer payment program: HLF (Voted)
Start date: June 2005
End date: Ongoing

Description: The HLF supports healthy living and chronic disease prevention activities, focused on common risk factors, by funding and engaging multiple sectors, and by building partnerships between and collaborating with governments, non-governmental organizations and other sectors, including the private sector. It also focuses on informing policy and program decision-making through knowledge development, dissemination and exchange. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The Agency is testing various funding arrangements and partnership models, such as pay-for-performance models that tie payment to tangible outcomes. For example, the Agency launched The Play Exchange as an online competition in collaboration with LIFT Philanthropy Partners, the Canadian Tire Corporation and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Play Exchange responds to the call for Open Government, exemplifying the desire to foster greater openness, accountability and dialogue with Canadians to drive innovation and economic opportunities. The Play Exchange ($1.2M) invites Canadians to participate in a two-way consultation process on government policies and priorities, engaging not only with government, but also with the private sector, thought leaders and other organizations. It is a national challenge to Canadians to submit their innovative ideas for inspiring Canadians to lead healthier and more active lives. It is open to all Canadians, including schools, students, families, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises, and businesses. Ideas can be submitted through The Play Exchange website. The Play Exchange positions the Agency as a broker, facilitating new partnerships and ideas, recognizing that innovation and greater impact can be achieved through engaging all sectors, including the private sector.

While the Agency has a strong history of developing, implementing and evaluating interventions, this approach will build on the Agency’s experience, seeking to engage new ideas and partners to increase healthy living opportunities for Canadians. Outcomes from The Play Exchange will be evaluated as a potential mechanism to evolve current programming in an even more dynamic and collaborative way across sectors.

In addition, the Agency continued its innovative partnership with AIR MILES® for Social Change and the YMCA ($586K in 2013–14), which was established to encourage children and their families to become physically active and stay active over the long term. The pilot project, currently scheduled to run until July 2014, has proven successful at increasing the physical activity levels of participating Canadians through a unique AIR MILES incentive program whereby people who participate in physical activity at YMCA facilities earn AIR MILES reward miles. Early data indicate that the program is driving incremental visits to the YMCA, with YMCA members in the pilot locations visiting their local YMCA facility at least one to six times per week, more often than they did in the previous year. In addition, more than double the number of anticipated members have registered for the AIR MILES/YMCA program with currently over 55,000 Canadians reached.

The Agency entered into a two-year contribution agreement with Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada (201214), valued at $988K, under the Healthy Living Fund to enhance the range, quality, and availability of after-school physical activity programs to increase physical activity among Canada’s children and youth. Named the “Canadian Active After School” partnership, PHE Canada and its project partners produced resources and educational materials, as well as a communications network or knowledge hub, to engage parents/guardians in making healthy choices concerning active after-school programs for their children and youth. Other activities included the development and implementation of a community mentor pilot program, as well as the delivery of pilot projects focused on Aboriginal girls and young women and Aboriginal children and youth with disabilities.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 0.0 3.4 5.4 5.8 5.7 (0.3)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 0.0 3.4 5.4 5.8 5.7 (0.3)

Comments on variances: The HLF is part of the Agency’s new integrated multi-sectoral funding approach, focussing on upstream healthy living interventions to advance the Federal, Provincial, Territorial (F/P/T) Framework on Healthy Weights (2010). In addition to supporting Agency priorities, the HLF supported upstream prevention projects that achieved results beyond expectations (e.g., AIR MILES for Social Change), which necessitated the transfer of additional resources from other programs.

Audits completed or planned: 2009 (completed)

Evaluations completed or planned: An evaluation of the chronic disease prevention activities is expected to be completed by 2015–16

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Funding opportunities are made available through the Multi-sectoral Partnerships to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease, which engages multiple sectors of society to leverage knowledge, expertise, reach and resources, to work toward the common shared goal of producing better health outcomes for Canadians.

 

Innovation Strategy (IS)

Name of transfer payment program: IS (Voted)
Start date: 2009–10
End date: Ongoing

Description: This program enables the development, implementation and evaluation of innovative public health interventions to reduce health inequalities and their underlying factors by providing project funding support to external organizations in a variety of sectors such as health and education. It focuses on priority public health issues such as mental health promotion and achieving healthier weights. The program fills a need by stakeholders such as public health practitioners, decision makers, researchers and policy makers for evidence on innovative public health interventions which directly benefit Canadians and their families, particularly those at greater risk of poor health outcomes (e.g., northern, remote and rural populations). Evidence is developed, synthesized and shared with stakeholders in public health and other related sectors at the community, P/T and national levels in order to influence the development and design of policies and programs. This program is necessary because it enables stakeholders to implement evidence-based and innovative public health interventions that fit local needs. The goals of the program are to stimulate action in priority areas and equip policy makers and practitioners to apply best practices. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The IS continued to fund the implementation and evaluation of nine interventions to promote mental health and wellbeing. Projects focussed on: addressing family dynamics and parenting competence, supporting school based interventions, and seeking increased community/cultural adaptation. Projects increased their reach during Phase II, from approximately 60 to over 240 communities across the country in 2012–13, reaching more than 155,000 individuals; approximately 120 knowledge products reached over three million individuals.

In all, 212 collaborative partnerships were developed and/or strengthened across sectors such as health, social services, education, Aboriginal organizations, academia/research, justice, and law enforcement. These partnerships and collaborations resulted in tangible impacts, such as the Towards Flourishing projectFootnote 5 . This project aims to enhance the mental well-being of parents and children through the development, implementation, and evaluation of a multi-layered mental health promotion strategy for families, public health and mental health practitioners as well as service providers.

The Agency also continued to fund the implementation and evaluation of 11 innovative interventions to achieve healthier weights. Projects focussed on the following themes: food security; addressing access, availability and skills; school-and family-based initiatives that support early childhood and youth; supportive social and physical environments; and northern community-based initiatives. In 2011, projects in Phase I reached over 84,000 individuals (60,000 individuals at risk; 12,000 practitioners, professionals and policy makers; and over 12,000 people from the general public). In all, 273 knowledge products were distributed through more than 1,500 knowledge exchange activities, and were reported to reach approximately 557,000 individuals. Approximately 600 collaborative partnerships were developed and/or strengthened across sectors such as health, social services, education, Aboriginal organizations, private sector, non-profit, P/T, municipal and Aboriginal governments, and academia/research. These partnerships and collaborations resulted in tangible impacts such as the “Launching community food centres (CFCs) in Canada: Building health and equity through food programs in low-income communities” projectFootnote 6  that supports scale-up of a range of programs (e.g., community gardens, drop-in meals). The aim is to engage disadvantaged and underserved low-income communities to build on community-led initiatives that will increase healthy food behaviour, access to healthy food, physical activity, and social well-being.

Program: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants 0.9 0.0 7.3 N/A 0 7.3
Total contributions 13.4 8.9 2.9 10.4 10.4 (7.5)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 14.3 8.9 10.2 10.4 10.4 (0.2)

Comments on variances: N/A

Audits completed or planned: N/A 

Evaluations completed or planned: 2014–15

Engagement of applicants and recipients: Open and targeted calls for proposals are utilized to solicit proposals from potential applicants. Various approaches are used to engage applicants and optimize the quality of submitted proposals, including those to develop information events, tools and resources. The IS places a high priority on and supports the systematic collection of learnings and the sharing of this information between funded recipients, the Agency, and other partners to influence future program and policy design.

 

National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH)

Name of transfer payment program: NCCPH (Voted)
Start date: 2004–05
End date: Ongoing

Description: Contributions to persons and agencies to support health promotion projects in community health resource development, training and skill development and research. The focus of the NCCPH program is to strengthen public health capacity, translate health knowledge and research, and promote and support the use of knowledge and evidence by public health practitioners in Canada through collaboration with P/T and local governments, academia, public health practitioners and non-governmental organizations. Contributions under this TPP are not repayable.

Strategic outcome: Protecting Canadians and empowering them to improve their health.

Results achieved: The NCCPH increased public health capacity at multiple levels of the public health system using a variety of methods ranging from online training, workshops, outreach programs, and networking events to broadly disseminate a wide array of knowledge products. During 2013–14, the NCCPH increased the development and uptake of knowledge translation products and activities. In all, 1,480 individuals and organizations reported using NCCPH products to inform public health research, policy, programs, or practice. In addition, the NCCPH developed and disseminated 458 methods and tools consisting of knowledge products, webinars, and online courses, to support practitioners and decision makers to apply new knowledge in their respective environments. The NCCPH also maintained partnerships and collaborative activities with Health Portfolio partners, P/T government departments, public health practitioners, and other external organizations to develop evidence-based interventions to reduce health risks. As well, knowledge exchange tools, resources, and expertise were shared with these organizations to increase public health reach.

Program: Public Health Infrastructure ($M)
  2011-12
Actual
spending
2012-13
Actual
spending
2013–14
Planned
spending
2013–14
Total
authorities
2013–14
Actual
spending
Variance
Total grants            
Total contributions 9.8 8.9 8.3 8.9 8.7 (0.4)
Total other types of transfer payments            
Total program 9.8 8.9 8.3 8.9 8.7 (0.4)

Comments on variances: N/A

Audits completed or planned: N/A

Evaluations completed or planned: Evaluation completed for years 2008–13. Next planned evaluation will be scheduled in 2019–20.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: The program did not issue solicitations in 2013–14 as the five-year contribution agreements with the NCCPH are still in place until March 31, 2015, and available funds are fully committed.


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