CBRCanada Webinar: Moving the Dial On: Inclusive & Innovative Models for Refugee Health Equity

Community-Based Research Canada presents “Moving the Dial”: our 2023 E-Learning series. This series will highlight action-oriented community-based research that is ‘moving the dial’ on today’s pressing societal challenges. An important hallmark of community-based research, taking an action-orientated and impactful approach, means research partnerships mobilizing knowledge and mobilizing communities towards positive societal change. The research projects highlighted within this series demonstrate impact of community-based research. We will hear about research partnerships that facilitated actions improving societal conditions, including changes in policies, systems, organizations, and communities where everyone is supported and belongs.

Webinar

Established in August 2021, the New Canadians Health Centre (NCHC) provides health and settlement services to government assisted refugees in Edmonton, AB, according to a principles-based model which is underpinned by the core value of social justice, equity, and inclusion. These principles are as follows: 1) welcoming and inclusive; 2) social model of health; 3) community ownership; 4) collaborative; and 5) supportive learning community. The NCHC has also established a partnership with the Evaluation Capacity Network (ECN), a group within the Community-University Partnership (CUP) at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health.

In this presentation, Astrid and Madeleine will be discussing the principles-based model, developed through community-based research,  and its impact on the NCHC community, including the current community-based evaluation of the NCHC’s service provision to date, which focuses on alignment of the services with the NCHC’s principles. The evaluation will comprehensively assess the adherence to these core principles, and the impact of the NCHC’s principles-based model on refugees' experiences in relation to their desired health and well-being. The insights gained from the evaluation process will be shared to ensure the sustainability of effective practices and to contribute to the expanding body of evidence surrounding community-based health and social support for refugees.

Presenters

Astrid Velasquez, Executive Director, New Canadian's Health Centre. Astrid is the Executive Director of the recently opened New Canadians Health Centre (NCHC). The NCHC is a multidisciplinary community health centre of medical and allied professionals, and linked to a comprehensive set of programs and services to support refugees’ health and well-being in Edmonton.

Astrid has worked with Catholic Social Services (CSS) for the past 17 years in the settlement sector, being responsible for several Government Assistant Refugee programs. Astrid holds a bachelor's degree in Education, and she is a certified Settlement Practitioner with AAISA. She is a strong advocate for refugee health; she was the previous co-chair of the Refugee Health Coalition, as well as a National Newcomer Navigation Network member.

Madeleine Kruth, Research coordinator, University of Alberta. Madeleine is currently the Research and Evaluation Coordinator at the New Canadians Health Centre, as well as a second-year medical student at the University of Alberta. Prior to her current roles, she worked as the Project Coordinator for several major tri-agency funded research projects, and was the Research Facilitator for the Faculty of Health Studies at Brandon University. Her training is in global health systems, having completed undergraduate degrees in both International Relations and Disaster and Emergency Studies, as well as a Master's of Global Health.

*This event is intended for CBRCanada members only. If you are employed, studying, or affiliated with any CBRCanada member institution/organization, you are already considered a member. If you are unsure if your institution is covered, learn more here. Individuals whose institution is not on this list are welcome to register as an an individual member. We value community participation and have a free membership option for registered community mobilizers.