Health solutions custom built
Community health development co-ordinator talks about her work with communities in Baffin region
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 28, 2013
QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE
Every community has health priorities that need tackling, whether it be addictions, parenting, suicide prevention or something else.
Melissa Sansom, a community health development co-ordinator, helps with the process in the Baffin region by working with communities to identify their top five concerns and develop sustainable programming to address those areas.
"It's putting their health back in their own hands so they can make decisions about what programming comes into their communities and what they would like to see," said Sansom, who is currently based in Resolute.
Sansom is new to the job, with only about a month under her belt.
However, she filled a similar role at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. She also has a background in public health and holds a masters degree in adult education.
Sansom said she and her husband always wanted to work in the North. The couple arrived about two years ago. Her spouse got a teaching job at Qarmartalik School and she worked as a dietician.
Since starting her role as community health development co-ordinator, Sansom has been focused on connecting with members of the six communities she is responsible for - Grise Fiord, Resolute, Arctic Bay, Iglulik, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet.
"One of the big parts of this role is relationship building and getting people to know your name and when to contact you and what to contact you for," she said.
Residents are encouraged to get in touch with Sansom if they have questions about health resources or programs.
She can also help Nunavummiut who have an idea for a program and would like to see it become a reality.
Sansom is able to assist with submitting draft proposals or other paperwork that needs to be done to get funding.
The department, she said, currently supports programs such as a women's cooking course, school breakfast programs and on-the-land trips facilitated by youth committees.
At times, she acts as a liaison between the communities.
"If we know a project is happening in Grise Fiord and that project is really well suited to another community, then we can share that information."
She said last year, for example, the department knew Blueprint for Life was coming to Grise Fiord and suggested they stop in Resolute too.
Blueprint for Life is a group that communicates life lessons to youth through hip hop.
"Our goal is to facilitate collaborative relationships between community members and communities, to build capacity, to help communities identify their health and wellness priorities and to facilitate that priority setting," she said.
