CURRENT
There are 10 Health Outreach Workers within the employ of 10 Friendship Centres across Ontario. Another Worker is housed at the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, but is funded through the Georgian Bay Native Women's Association. In addition the OFIFC has supported the implementation of another Health Outreach Worker position for the Red Lake Friendship Centre. As of this date, full implementation of the Health Outreach Workers within the Friendship Centres has occurred.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of a Health Outreach Worker are to ensure that the needs of the Aboriginal community are addressed by undertaking health promotion, education, referrals and linking with Aboriginal cultural resource people and mainstream health providers.Another primary responsibility of a Health Outreach Worker is to develop and facilitate workshops, develop pamphlets, brochures and other audio visual material for the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices.Other responsibilities include client advocacy, making client referrals to appropriate health programmes, services and institutions, and to establish linkages between the health care system and the Aboriginal community and agencies in order to promote holistic health approaches. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. To identify ways to improve Aboriginal access to, participation in and improve the quality of service which Aboriginal people experience in the Ontario health care system.
2. To identify ways to increase sensitivity of the Ontario health care system to Aboriginal health issues, needs and cultural traditions.
3. To articulate priorities of Aboriginal communities with respect to health services.
4. To promote recognition and development of Aboriginal designed health services in response to priorities articulated by the Aboriginal community.