Community Health Centres (CHCs) are non-profit organizations funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care/Local Health Integration Network that provide primary health and health promotion programs for individuals, families and communities. A health centre is established and governed by an elected board of directors.
CHCs work with individuals, families and communities to strengthen their capacity to take more responsibility for their health and well being. They provide education and advice on helping families access the resources they need from other community agencies. CHCs work together with others on health promotion initiatives within schools, in housing developments, and in the workplace.
They link families with support and self-help groups that offer peer education, support in coping, or are working to address conditions that affect health. As such, the Community Health Centre Program contributes to the development of healthy communities.
Ontario’s CHCs serve over 110 communities throughout Ontario. Altogether there are 73 centres and most of these centres run satellites which extend their geographic reach. Each centre is an incorporated, non-profit agency, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. CHCs provide primary care services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. CHCs also work with local residents to build the capacity of the community to improve its general health.
