About Us

In November 1993, the Ontario Ministry of Health asked OPHA to manage and operate the Heart Health Resource Centre (HHRC). The HHRC provided technical assistance and training for five pilot sites in the Heart Health Action Program. In 1998 the provincial program was expanded to 37 community-based heart health program partnerships across Ontario and the HHRC expanded its focus to meet the needs of these new partnerships.

Initially, the HHRC primarily served staff in public health agencies across Ontario and their community partners. Over time, this expanded to include specialized supports for the coordinators of local partnerships and the Ontario Heart Health Network (OHHN).

The OHHN was established in 1998 as a networking body for the 37 Community Partnerships and the more than 2700 community partners engaged in community-based heart health programming and operated until 2010. The HHRC provided the OHHN with secretariat, logistical and coordination support as well as a modest annual budget.

Throughout its 17 year history, which spanned three distinct phases of the Ontario Heart Health Program (OHHP), the HHRC provided a wealth of information to local partnerships about how to deliver effective, community-based interventions in the areas of tobacco use, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity to local partnerships. These supports and services included:

• on-site consultation as well as one-on-one coaching;
• training and development activities such as workshops, conferences and webinars;
• a website and listserv; and
• a range of resources and materials on a variety of topics relevant to community mobilization and health promotion.

The HHRC delivered these services with a small complement of staff and a roster of independent consultants with expertise in health promotion and public participation strategies.

In 2009, with the launch of the Healthy Communities Fund (HCF), the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport (MHPS) directed the OPHA to align the HHRC's services with those of three other resource centres to improve services for the new Healthy Communities Partnerships. This new collaborative operated as the Healthy Communities Consortium for two years before re-branding as HC Link.

The Healthy Communities Fund

The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport's Healthy Communities Fund (HCF) is a multi-risk factor approach addressing physical activity, injury prevention, healthy eating, mental health promotion, reduction of tobacco use and exposure, and prevention of alcohol and substance misuse. The HCF funds communities to plan and deliver integrated programs that improve the health of Ontarians.

The HCF provides support through a Grants Project Stream, a Partnership Stream and a Resource Stream. The Partnership Stream builds on the strong history of the Ontario Heart Health Program's community partnerships to promote coordinated planning and action within local communities in order to create policies and programs that make it easier for Ontarians to be healthy.

HC Link

HC Link supports community groups, local and regional organizations and community partnerships across Ontario to create healthy, vibrant communities. We offer services in both official languages, such as consultations, learning and networking events, resources and referrals. Our services are available to Healthy Community Partnerships and community groups and organizations interested in or eligible for Healthy Communities Fund grants.

HC Link is funded by the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport.

To learn more about HC Link or to request a service, please visit their website at www.hclinkontario.ca.