About the First Nations Health Consortium Support Project:
The Enhanced Service Coordination model provided by First Nations health, education and social services provides supports to families in accessing services to First Nations children under Jordan’s Principle; a child-first principle intended to ensure that First Nations children do not experience discriminatory service gaps. In 2016 research funding was awarded to the four Alberta First Nations health organizations that comprise the First Nations Health Consortium (Bigstone Health Commission, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council, Maskwacis Health Services, and Siksika Nation) to document the development of the Enhanced Service Coordination model, and evaluate the program's strengths and challenges, as well service outcomes. The ultimate goal of this project was to understand how the Enhanced Service Coordination model assists Alberta’s First Nations children and families with Jordan's Principle cases, and how the service model can be improved and expanded. The evaluation of the Enhanced Service Coordination was completed in 2019 and, since then, we have worked together to track and document the First Nations Health Consortium’s implementation of a system to ensure efficient payment for Jordan’s Principle services.
Investigator (2020-present): Vandna Sinha, University of Colorado & McGill University
Investigators (2016-2019): Vandna Sinha, McGill University | Luna Vives, University of Montreal | Alison Gerlach, University of Victoria.
Research Team (2016-2019): Tyson Kelsall | Portia Larlee | Kathryn Chadwick | Meghan Sangster.
Related Publications
Published reportS
Sinha, V., Knott, J. & Phillips, B. (2021) First Nation Health Consortium Service Access Resolution Fund: Pilot project report. Edmonton, AB: First Nations Health Consortium
Sangster, M., Vives, L., Chadwick, K., Gerlach, A., & Sinha, V. (2019). Advancing Jordan'sPrinciple by realizing Enhanced Service Coordination in the Alberta Region. Calgary/Edmonton, AB: First Nations Health Consortium.
Sinha, V., Vives, L. and Gerlach, A. (eds.) (2018) Implementing Jordan’s Principle Service Coordination in the Alberta: The First Nations Health Consortium. Calgary/Edmonton, AB: The First Nations Health Consortium.
Journal articles
Sinha, V., Sheppard, C., Chadwick, K., Gunnarsson, M. & Jamieson, G. (2021) Substantive Equality and Jordan’s Principle: Challenges and Complexities. Journal of Law and Social Policy, 35: 21-43.
Gerlach, A., Sangster, M. & Sinha, V. (2021) Insights from a Jordan’s Principle Child First Initiative in Alberta: Implications for Advancing Health Equity for First Nations Children. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 15:21-33.
