Child Health – Family Advisory Council

Background

We strive to constantly improve the care our clients receive. Our priority is to provide client and family centred-care (CFCC). Our values of respect and dignity; information sharing; participation, and collaboration are vital to establishing client and family-centered care.

The Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre is the pediatric tertiary care center for the province, and includes all pediatric services provided by Children and Women’s Health Program, including traveling clinics and outreach services.

Why family advisors?

The purpose of family advisors is to work together with senior leadership, physicians, and clinicians to improve the quality and access of health services.

Children and families are valuable members of the health-care team. The role of family advisors, as part of an advisory council, is to ensure the voices of children and families are included in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health services and initiatives.

Council membership

We are looking to have eight (8) to ten (10) members from across the province, as follows:

• Four to six (4-6) parent or family advisors (members)
• Four (4) staff representatives (members)

Efforts will be made to ensure the group is diverse (with respect to location, age, gender, background, culture and relevant client and family health service-related experiences, as well as skills, abilities, experiences, and networks to help advance the council’s work.

Members should have the desire to work collaboratively with Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre to improve the quality, safety and experience of patient care.

Terms of membership

• Participate in six (6) to eight (8) meetings per year, or more at the discretion of the co-chairs. In-person and virtual participation options will be available for members.
• The council is co-chaired by a staff person and an elected family advisor. There is also an elected vice chair who is a family advisor. The co-chairs may invite individuals to attend and/or present to the council at their meetings and/or appoint others as standing or ad hoc members of the council.
• New members agree to serve as advisors on the council for a period of two (2) years.
• Members can serve a maximum of six (6) consecutive years. The term commences from September to August annually.
• New members can join the group either in September or January of each year, or as determined by the council as a vacancy occurs.
• After a two-year break, former council members can reapply to be part of the council.

Leave of absence

• Members can take time off for up to a year without removing themselves from the council. A member may request a leave of absence at any time after a discussion with the co-chairs and program leadership. This leave of absence is not counted as time in the six-year possible commitment to the council.

Step down

• Members wishing to step down from the council during their term should communicate this intention in writing to the co-chairs. An exit interview will be offered.

Evaluation

• On an annual basis, members will be asked to evaluate their contribution to the Family Advisory Council and determine whether the volunteer advisory work is still a fit.

Expectations and conduct

• Family Advisory Council meetings are conducted respectfully with an emphasis on listening and understanding to ensure that all members have an opportunity to participate and that all perspectives are heard.
• Co-chairs ensure that conflict, when it arises, is managed respectfully by all parties and in a timely manner.

All members are expected to:

• Regularly attend the scheduled meetings and notify the co-chairs if unable to attend.
• Be prepared for council meetings, e.g., pre-read materials or seek clarification as needed.
• Have a demonstrated interest in the health of the community, representing the client and family voice on health issues.
• Demonstrate mutual respect to each other and to visitors to the council.
• Uphold the values of client and family-centred care.
• Act in good faith and place the interests of the council above their own private interests.
• Disclose an apparent disagreement or conflict to the co-chairs when member becomes aware and abstains from opinion or voting as it pertains to a conflict of interest.
• Act as a representative on behalf of the council when volunteering on other sub-council activities or groups and, bring forward topics and issues as appropriate and within the member’s expertise or experience.
• Maintain confidential information. Council members who are not staff must sign a confidentiality agreement in accordance with the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).
• Work in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), other Client and Family Councils, and with the Client and Family-Centred Care Steering Committee (CFCC- SC).

How to reach us

Email: client.familyadvisors@easternhealth.ca, or telephone 709-777-6777.

Email: volunteer.resources@easternhealth.ca, or telephone 709-777-4451.