Who we are

Community-centred primary health care

The Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) is the policy and advocacy organization for non-profit, community-governed, multidisciplinary primary health care organizations.  Our members are Ontario's Community Health Centres, Aboriginal Health Access Centres and Community Family Health Teams. 

We believe that effective primary health care addresses the social determinants of health, including social inclusion, access to shelter, education, income and employment security, food and stable eco-systems. It encompasses primary care, illness prevention and health promotion, and uses a community development approach to building healthy public policy in supportive environments.

Our vision is rooted in a care model that provides comprehensive primary care services, delivered by interdisciplinary teams of professionals practicing within a health promotion framework. This means that by working with individuals, families and groups we increase individual and group capacity in building health communities. In fact, we are a key source of community infrastructure through which to deliver a range of integrated community-based services and to respond to health-related community concerns. Our member centres are specialists in delivering primary health care that is integrated with other social and health services partners.

Our care model is highly effective for all Ontarians. At the same time, it is a an especially important resource for people who encounter a diverse range of access barriers such as culture, ethnicity, geographical isolation, language, literacy, poverty, physical disabilities, and race.

Our Association engages in research, develops policy and advocates in support of this community-centred primary health care model. Our member centres are located throughout the province and we work directly with communities who want community-centred primary health care.

Community-governed means accountability
The goal of the AOHC is simple - to ensure that more Ontarians have access to primary health care thorugh community-governed health centres that are non-profit and publicly accountable.

Our centres are sponsored and managed by incorporated boards of directors, composed of clients, recognized community leaders and respected health and social service providers.

Whether our centres grow in urban, rural or remote areas, we advocate for a primary health care model that is accountable to the clients it serves, to the community, to the public and to its funders. Together, we are working toward a sustainable, fully integrated health care system.

The right service at the right time by the right provider
We believe that the most effective way to provide primary health care is through integrated teams of community-focused professionals from all health disciplines. Our interdisciplinary teams provide care continuity and coordination.

Teams may include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dieticians, health promoters, social workers, chiropodists, counselors, spiritual healers and others.

Unlike the traditional fee-for-service models, community-governed models of primary care pay salaries and benefits to physicians and other staff.