AHSUNC Advisory Structure

The Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) Program is governed, administered, and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). 

Regional Level:  The PHAC regional offices administer agreements, allocate funding, and work directly with the AHSUNC sites to ensure program quality.  The regional offices connect to the national office through the AHS National Working Group (NWG).  In each province and territory a Provincial/Territorial Committee exists that is made up of a representative of each of the AHSUNC sites in the area.

National level:   The AHSUNC National Office in Ottawa provides coordination, leadership, resources, training, community representation and input into program operation, management and ongoing planning.  At a national level, the National Aboriginal Head Start Council has regional representatives providing guidance and advice to the national office.

National Aboriginal Head Start Council (NAHSC)

Purpose: 

The NAHSC provides leadership and direction for the AHSUNC program at the national level and works in partnership with PHAC.  The NAHSC works to protect the integrity of the program and works toward success and program excellence by providing a voice for Aboriginal children and communities, adhering to the AHS Urban and Northern Program Principles and Guidelines, and contributing to sharing of knowledge. 

Some key responsibilities of the NAHSC:

• To encourage AHSUNC sites to organize themselves on a provincial/territorial basis to address common concerns, coordinate training, facilitate communication, and provide input into the National AHSUNC program;
• To develop and oversee the implementation of initiatives in the areas of training, national evaluation, and research;
• To lead national strategic planning;
• To promote and advocate for program enhancements and expansion;
• To share information, ideas, and knowledge that promotes program excellence;
• To provide analysis on program effectiveness;
• To bring forward issues and concerns from their province/territory; and
• To provide NAHSC with an update on activities in their respective regions.

Membership:

AHSUNC community representatives elected to the NAHSC are affiliated with an AHSUNC site and are of Aboriginal ancestry.  The NAHSC consists of AHSUNC community representatives and PHAC representatives as follows:

• one provincial/territorial representative, except Quebec which has two representatives;
• one representative from the AHSUNC national office;
• one representative from PHAC-AHSUNC regional Consultants; and
• one representative from PHAC Regional Directors.

In regions where NAHSC meetings are held, Elders are invited to attend and participate with a vital role of guiding workshop activities, providing reflections and support.