Services offered outside the CHC by staff and students
The CHC provides outreach to the two shelters in the city and the community kitchen with both staff and students visiting these facilities on an almost weekly basis.
In addition to health services that are being offered as outreach, the staff is working diligently to develop linkages between existing resources and services.
Public education
In addition, staff members and students are spending a great deal of time educating the public about the CHC and the use of Methadone as a treatment option.
Since opening in December 2002, CHC staff has made contact with more than two dozen organizations around the city, province and Atlantic Provinces who have services to offer or who have been seeking information.
A number of these contacts will become full partners in providing health care to the vulnerable populations being served (e.g., First Nations, Oromocto; River Valley Health). Others will be involved in CHC operations on an as needed basis.
The CHC has ongoing partnerships with:
- AIDS NB – partners in the needle-exchange program, as well as a number of the CHC’s projects
- Fredericton Emergency Shelters – staff regularly visit the shelters for the purpose of counseling and education of shelter residents. And residents are regularly referred to the CHC by shelter staff.
- Fredericton Community Kitchen – staff visit the community kitchen as part of the outreach program, to connect with clients, provide services on site and inform them of the clinic’s many programs and services.
- Fredericton YMCA – the clinic partners with the YMCA, providing support for their projects and receiving support for the clinic’s. The YMCA’s outreach worker regularly meets with clinic staff to discuss ways of helping clients and improving services. He regularly refers clients to the CHC for services.
- Community Planning Group – The clinic is an active member of the CPG, which advocates on behalf of the homeless in Fredericton.
- John Howard Society - The CHC and the John Howard Society provide mutual support for programs and services, as well as, referrals.
- Youth Options – Partnership developed to provide information on health awareness, group presentations, support and referrals to participants, counseling, and offer a friendly environment in a non-judgmental atmosphere.
- Fredericton Native Friendship Centre - Referrals and support are an important link between the CHC and the Centre.
- Multicultural Association – Many newcomers to Fredericton are referred to the CHC for primary health care services when they first arrive in Fredericton. In addition, employees who begin working in the health care sector access the clinic for immunizations, and Mantoux testing for Tuberculosis.
- River Valley Public Health - Publicly funded flu vaccine program. Working towards developing a partnership to provide Hepatitis C education to HCV positive clients.
- Laubach Literacy – a volunteer offers literacy training to clients at the Community Health Clinic
- Fredericton Chamber of Commerce – The CHC is an active member of the Chamber, which offers an opportunity to promote the clinic in the city, access members’ lists for fund-raising efforts, and take advantage of education sessions.
- Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage – students from the college visit the CHC weekly, offering massage treatment to clients.
- CompuCollege – students from the college use the CHC for their practicum, the college has also done some fundraising for the CHC.
- United Parcel Services – UPS is a strong supporter of the United Way and as a funded agency, they invite the CHC to do on-site presentations, flu clinics, etc. at their offices. UPS has also provided employee hours for work at the clinic, doing painting and yard work.
