Community Development Team

Island Health’s Community Development Team aims to reduce health inequities and strengthen community well-being through a community-led, collaborative approach. At the heart of this work are Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who partner with local governments, community organizations and community members to support community-driven health initiatives   

By centering community voices, building local capacity, and supporting collective action, the program advances health promotion, injury prevention, and health protection. Our work responds to both immediate and long-term public health priorities, with a focus on sustainable solutions that support community well-being across the Island Health region.  

Community development guiding principles

• Health equity - addressing systemic barriers and prioritizing communities most impacted by inequities 
• Cultural humility - engaging with respect, reflection, and a commitment to ongoing learning 
• Community engagement - supporting meaningful participation, shared leadership, and community-driven solutions

Who we are

We are a multidisciplinary team led by Medical Health Officers (MHOs), and supported by Community Health Promoters, Healthy Built Environment Consultants, and a broad range of Population and Public Health specialists, including:

• Injury Prevention Specialists
• Public Health Dietitians
• Healthy Public Policy Consultants
• School Health Promoters
• Public Health Nurses
• Tobacco and Vapour Reduction team
• Climate Health Specialists

Together, we bring diverse expertise to support communities in addressing complex health and social challenges.  

Community development priority areas

CHPs play a key role in connecting communities to Population and Public Health expertise within Island Health. By working closely with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), CHPs help strengthen community-driven initiatives across the following priority areas:  

Climate Change and Resilience: CHPs collaborate with climate and health experts to support community preparedness and resilience related to extreme weather, air quality, and climate-related health impacts.   

Youth Mental Health and Wellness: In partnership with mental health specialists, CHPs support initiatives that promote youth well-being, strengthen protective factors, and reduce stigma.  

Social Determinants of Health: CHPs work alongside SMEs to address key determinants such as housing, transportation, food security, and education, with attention to equity and access for priority populations.  

Indigenous Health and Wellness: CHPs engage with Indigenous health partners to support Indigenous-led initiatives, promote self-determination, and strengthen Indigenous participation in health planning and decision-making.  

Emerging Health Threats: Working with public health experts, CHPs support community preparedness and coordinated responses to emerging health threats, including communicable diseases and climate-related events.  

System Navigation: CHPs help communities navigate Population and Public Health programs, services, and expertise, ensuring initiatives are informed by evidence and aligned with best practices.  

Examples of Support 

Community Health Promoters can support communities by:  

Healthy Public Policy and Advocacy 

• Support municipal policies that build healthier communities (e.g., municipal alcohol policies, smoke-free spaces, active transportation). 

• Elevate community health priorities within Island Health by sharing local insights, needs, and lived experiences with public health leadership. 

• Facilitate climate resilience and adaptation conversations across sectors (municipal, Indigenous partners, schools, non-profits) to embed health in climate action. 

• Support climate initiatives that build healthier communities, including heat-health preparedness, wildfire smoke response, cooling/warming centers, and green space planning. 

Food Security and Healthy Environments 

• Support food security planning and initiatives (e.g., community gardens, food hubs, school meal programs, local food distribution, nutrition education). 

• Strengthen equitable access to healthy food for priority populations through partnerships, grants, and program design. 

Capacity Building and Community Education 

• Deliver workshops and education for priority populations (e.g., youth, seniors, Indigenous communities, unhoused people) on topics like mental wellness, substance use, safer events, and climate-health impacts. 

• Share evidence-informed health resources and tools (plain-language materials, toolkits, infographics, and facilitation guides) adapted to local context. 

Resource Navigation and Funding 

• Help navigate Island Health funding, programs, and resources, including application guidance and alignment with public health priorities. 

• Make connections to regional support (public health teams, primary care, mental health and substance use services, harm reduction services, and community partners). 

Data and Evaluation 

• Access, interpret, and apply health data (e.g., community health profiles, injury trends, substance use indicators) to inform planning and measure impact. 

• Support simple evaluations for community programs (logic models, outcome tracking, and continuous improvement). 

Community Engagement and Collaboration 

• Facilitate multi-sector collaboration (municipality, Island Health, schools, Indigenous partners, RCMP, local organizations) to align efforts on health priorities. 

• Organize health-promoting events and initiatives (wellness fairs, presentations, and forums) 

Community Development Resources and Further Reading 

• Community Development Infographic

• Social determinants of health and health inequalities - Canada.ca 

• Prevention & Health Promotion - BCCDC 

• Resource Library | National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health 

• BC Healthy Communities (Plan H) 

• BC Alliance For Healthy Living 

Contacts

Mount Waddington 

Leslie Dyck -  Leslie.Dyck@islandhealth.ca

Strathcona and Comox Valley

Megan Tomlinson - Megan.Tomlinson@islandhealth.ca

Alberni Clayoquot 

Faye Missar - Faye.Missar@islandhealth.ca

Nanaimo Region

Brandon Riopka - Brandon.Riopka@islandhealth.ca

Cowichan Valley

Fernanda Gutierrez Matos - Fernanda.GutierrezMatos@islandhealth.ca

Capital Region

Raquel Burgess - Raquel.Burgess@islandhealth.ca 
Taiwo Joy Awogbindin – TaiwoJoy.Awogbindin@islandhealth.ca