Aboriginal Health Human Resource Initiative (AHHRI) Ontario Region

Post-Secondary Health Science Education System Transformation Projects
Funding Available April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010

Request for Proposals

The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is currently seeking proposals from interested Ontario post-secondary institutions (PSE) to design, develop and/or deliver bridging, access, support and mentorship programs. In addition, COO is seeking proposals from interested Ontario PSEs to adapt curricula for cultural inclusion. These programs must support First Nations/Aboriginal students currently studying health sciences or those wishing to enter health sciences at the post-secondary level.

Proposals from all Ontario Post-Secondary Institutions will be considered by the review committee, however, proposals from Aboriginal Post-Secondary Institutions and those Post-Secondary Institutions that have First Nations and/or Aboriginal partnerships established and can demonstrate current successes in developing and implementing bridging and access programs with their First Nations/Aboriginal partners as well as those PSEs that demonstrate commitment to working with First Nations and Aboriginal partners will be given priority.

Bridging Programs

$1,000,000 in annual funding is available to support bridging, access, support and mentorship programs in Ontario. Applicants may request up to $150,000 annually. Proposals may be one or two years in length.

Proposals in this category would identify initiatives that would design, develop or implement bridging, access, support and mentorship programs that would assist First Nations and Aboriginal student’s access health science programs in a post secondary setting as well as programs that would offer supports and services to current First Nations and Aboriginal health science students.

The purpose of this initiative is to increase the number of First Nations/Aboriginal students studying and graduating from health careers that including nursing (RN, RPN, NP), medicine, midwifery, physiotherapy, medical technology, pharmacy, dentistry, medical rehabilitation, pharmacy technician, dental therapist and environmental health officers.

Curricula Adaptation to Support Aboriginal/First Nation Cultural Competency

$250,000 annual funding is available to support adaptation of post-secondary curricula to advance cultural competency in Ontario. Applicants may request up to $75,000 annually. Proposals may be one or two years in length.

Proposals in this category would identify initiatives that would adapt curriculum to train health care professionals and providers in a better understanding and knowledge of First Nations and Aboriginal communities and cultures in order to respond effectively to the health care issues and better meet the health care needs of Ontario First Nations communities.

Total available funding to support these two key objectives is $1,250,000 annually in Ontario Region.

Proposals must meet the criteria outlined in the Funding Criteria in the Background information and must include the following:

• Description of the overall project and how it supports AHHRI goals and
  objectives
• Must be a Post-Secondary Institution (PSE)
• Identify whether PSE is a member of the Aboriginal Institution Consortium
  (AIC)
• If PSE is not Aboriginal-specific, identify First Nations/Aboriginal partners, their
  role in the initiative and clear indication of the First Nation/Aboriginal support
  for the proposal
• PSE should also identify past and current successes in collaborating with First
  Nations and Aboriginal partners in developing and implementing bridging,
  access and curricula adaptation initiatives
• Work plan identifying deliverables and time frames
• Detailed budget no more than $150,000 per annum
• Organization information including address, phone numbers and signing
  officer
• Identify how the proposal will be sustainable* beyond 2010
• Evaluation

All proposals will be reviewed and scored based upon the above and whether the
proposal meets the criteria outlined below.

Type of Contract for Deliverables

Successful projects will be required to enter into a Contribution Agreement (CA) with First Nations Inuit Health, Ontario Region. The term of the agreement will be for one year or two, depending upon the proposal request, funds available to support the request and the number of proposals requesting funds for two years.

Timeframe

Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Proposal Submission Location

Proposals should be submitted electronically to Chiefs of Ontario at the following
address:

Tracy Antone, Chiefs of Ontario Health Coordinator
tracy@coo.org

Alternatively, if proposals are unable to be submitted electronically, proposals can be mailed to:

Chiefs of Ontario
111 Peter St., Ste. 804
Toronto, ON
M5V 2H1

Or Faxed to the Chiefs of Ontario Office at: 416-597-8365

Selection Criteria

It is anticipated that proposal requests will outmatch funding that is available. In order to ensure equitable allocation of the funds, proposals will be ranked and scored based upon the following criteria:

Notification of Acceptance

It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified after April 22, 2008 for funding for fiscal year 2008-09 and 2009-10 (if applicable).