Mission Statement
alPHa, through a strong and unified voice, advocates for public health policies, programs and services on behalf of member health units in Ontario.
Long-Term Objectives
- To assist local public health units in providing efficient and effective services that meet the needs of the people of Ontario.
- To assist in establishing, through collaboration with other organizations, a unified and powerful voice for public health in Ontario which is consulted and respected.
Membership
Active membership in alPHa is open to: board of health members of Ontario's 36 health units, medical and associate medical officers of health, and affiliate members which are duly-constituted associations or societies representative of (non-union) public health unit management, subject to the approval of the alPHa Board of Directors.
Currently, the following organizations are affiliate members in alPHa:
- ANDSOOHA - Public Health Nursing Management
- Association of Ontario Public Health Business Administrators
- Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario
- Association of Supervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario
- Health Promotion Ontario
- Ontario Association of Public Health Dentistry
- Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health
Operations
During its Annual Conference held in the Spring of each year, alPHa elects a Board of Directors, composed of 7 members from the Board of Health Section and 7 members from the Medical Officers of Health Section. The balance of the alPHa Board is composed of the Affiliate organization representatives. The Board meets regularly throughout the year to consider matters of policy which emanate from the work of alPHa's standing and ad hoc committees.
Education and Information Services
alPHa provides information in the following ways:
- holding seminars, workshops, and general meetings on issues such as labour relations, legislation, technology, and programs relative to public health
- surveying its membership and circulates findings on fringe benefits, insurance, board member remuneration, staff salaries, and other topical issues
Opportunities
alPHa members have the opportunity to represent their colleagues at the provincial level and to participate in discussions reflecting the concerns of public health units across Ontario. Members may also be appointed by alPHa to attend conferences and seminars and to sit on special advisory committees set up by the Province.
alPHa annually presents its Distinguished Service Awards which recognize the outstanding contributions made to public health by Board of Health members and health unit personnel.
