AHACs

Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs) for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities were created as part of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, an initiative to improve the access to health for Aboriginal people. There are 9 AHACs in Ontario serving Aboriginal people both on and off reserves.

These organizations are similar to CHCs in that they are governed by Boards composed of members of the community, and deliver non-profit, interdisciplinary primary care, illness prevention, health promotion, and community development services. In addition, they also focus on traditional healing approaches, complemented by western medical approaches.

In addition to Ontario's 9 AHACs, two CHCs, located in Toronto and Timmins, are mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide culturally-appropriate services to Aboriginal communities.

Range of Program at AHACs

Primary Care

• Health Assessment
• Clinical evidenced-based illness prevention and health promotion
• Interventions for acute and episodic illness or injury.
• Primary reproductive care
• Early detection of initial and ongoing treatment of chronic illness
• Care for the majority of illnesses (in conjunction with specialists as needed)
• Education and support for self-care
• Support for care in hospital, home and long-term care facilities
• Arrangements for 24-hour/7-day a week response
• Service co-ordination and referral
• Maintenance of a comprehensive medical record for each client in the centre
• Primary mental health care including psycho-social counseling
• Coordination and access to rehabilitation
• Support for people with a terminal illness

Health Promotion and Community Capacity Building

• Smoking cessation
• Asthma health promotion
• Nutrition workshops
• Diabetes education
• Housing security and homelessness
• Food security
• Access to employment
• Supports to immigrants and refugees
• Parenting support groups
• Farm safety
• Breast feeding support
• Childbirth preparation
• Bike safety
• Seniors drop-in
• Senior recreations
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Self-esteem
• Violence prevention
• Community justice conflict resolution
• Community kitchen, gardens
• ESL preparation
• Multi-lingual programming on a variety of topics
• Youth programs
• Women's support group
• School snack program