Since 1996, the Curve Lake First Nation Health Centre has made tremendous strides with respect to providing primary care and programming that meet the community’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health care needs.

Being a community health centre, a strong emphasis is placed on health promotion and chronic illness prevention throughout the lifecycle (from prenatal to senior citizen programming).

The Health Centre is equipped with qualified staff that works together as a team to put in place the supports that are necessary for the health and well-being of all our membership.

Credit must be given to: our custodian who ensures the health and safety needs of our facility are met, and dedicated community members who sit on the Health and Family Services Committee to provide us guidance on the policies, programs and services delivered.

Mission Statement

The Curve Lake First Nation Health and Family Services Team will work together to support and educate the individuals and families of Curve Lake First Nation in their self-defined pursuit of a healthy and dignified life.

Enzhinamewang Gwayakwaajmowining (Anishinaabemowin Translation)

Waayaag Zaagigan Nitam Nishnaabe Shkongan Giigewendaagoziwining geh odoozhiinwinwaa ebaamiitaagejig gamaawndonokiiwag chi bimih aasnaawaad geh chi bimi Kinoom a wawaad ezhi bimi bebezhgomjin geh adoozhiinwinwaa Waayaag Zaagigan Nitam Nishnaabeh Shkonganing wiidokaadwaad aezhimaajiishkaajig mnogiigewendaag-oziwining geh kichitwaawendaagoziwining.

Vision Statement

That the individuals and families of Curve Lake First Nation experience a healthy life that is rich in Anishnaabe experiences, personal growth, and a true sense of community being.

Naagwidsowin Gwayakwaadziwining (Anishinaabemowin Translation)

Giwh ebimibebeshkojig geh odoozhiinwinwaa Wayaag Zaagigan Nitam Nishnaabe Shkongan kikendaanaawaa maa nishnaabeg kchi mno giigehwendaagoziwining ewaandiziiwiyaag imaa enzhi kwigwaad kitchitwaawendaagdinig.

Curve Lake Medical Clinic

As part of the Curve Lake Health Centre, is the Curve Lake Medical Clinic. The clinic is offered through a memorandum of understanding with the Peterborough Family Health Team. Curve Lake First Nation is privileged to have onsite medical practitioners (a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, and Registered Nurse) who are responsible for providing primary care to the community (members must be rostered to Dr. Mallory to be eligible for services at the medical clinic).

Health Promotion Services

The Curve Lake Health Centre offers an array of programs and services to ensure that members are connected to the appropriate program staff. Our receptionist will assist you with your request and direct your call.

Foot Care

The Health Centre works with a third party foot care nurse and a visiting chiropodist to provide preventative care and treatment for foot health issues. Eligible members can receive these services up to once every six weeks. Contact your Community Health Representative for more information.

Medical Transportation

To assist clients with the financial burdens of medical transportation, the Health Centre’s Medical Transportation/Administrative Clerk is available to assist on-reserve members.

Child Protection and Prevention Services

The Child Protection Worker works to ensure the welfare, protection and best interest of the children and offers support to those families who are in need of help in caring for their children. The Child Protection Worker will consider the least disruptive course of action that is available. This includes Customary Care, Family Support and Mentoring Programs.

Band Representative Services

The Band Representative acts on behalf of Curve Lake First Nation as a party under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act in the court proceedings involving the First Nation’s Children. The role of the Band Representative is to protect the collective best interest of Curve Lake First Nation children and their families and ensure they are respected and included in the planning for children deemed in need of protection while ensuring a culturally appropriate disposition of the case.

Community Health Nurse

The Community Health Nurse (CHN) functions as a member of the health care team in the provision of health education programs and services in a culturally sensitive manner. The CHN utilizes the nursing process relevant to theory and research findings as they relate to health education, promotion and provision. Additionally, the CHN oversees the ongoing development and implementation of community health program planning, monitoring of caseloads and the maintenance and safeguarding of health records and information.

Community Health Representatives

Curve Lake has two Community Health Representatives (CHRs). The roles of the CHRs are to work together in the development and implementation of programming that assists community members to live healthier lifestyles.

Diabetes Support

Education is provided on Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes, as well as the importance of foot care and nutritional eating. They may refer clients to a dietitian and offer glucose monitoring support.

Massage

The Health Centre has a visiting therapist who specializes in Massage Therapy, twice weekly. This service provides clients with an alternative to pain management.

Nutrition & Physical Activity

Healthy eating programs may include Label Reading, Menu Planning and Eating on a Budget. The Community Kitchen is an opportunity for members to come learn to cook and share healthy snacks and recipes. Physical activity programs are seasonally based, such as Boot Camps, Mocc Walk, walking clubs and aqua fit during the summer months.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program

NIHB is a program that is administered by Health Canada that provides access to certain health care benefits. Contact your CHR to learn more about which benefits are covered (dental care; vision care; medical transportation; prescription drugs; medical equipment and supplies).

For members residing off-reserve, reimbursement is provided through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. For more information please contact the Community Health Representative.

Food Bank

The food bank is open to the community on Wednesdays to provide members with food shelf basics and staples to off-set costs and support a healthy balanced diet. They alternate programs offering a once a month dairy bag, a once a month produce bag, and a bi-weekly foodbank food distribution. The foodbank is a stigma free environment and does not operate under a financial eligibility system. If you are a resident of Curve Lake and require assistance with food security we are here to help.

3 Public Works Road Curve Lake, ON K0L 1R0

Community-Based Drinking Water Quality Monitoring

The part-time Community-Based Water Monitor samples and tests drinking water supplies for E. coli, total coliform, and chlorine residuals in community wells to reduce the possibility of waterborne disease outbreaks. (You must be a member to qualify for this service, however if you are not a member we can connect you to a testing service through Peterborough Public Health).

Swimming Lessons/Community Pool

During the summer months, the Health Centre offers open swim, aquafit classes, swimming classes, and daycare/school-age programming. The pool is open to Curve Lake Members and their guests.

Community Health Worker (Healthy Babies Healthy Children)

The Community Health Worker is focused on improving the long-term health aspects of Curve Lake children and families. The CHW provides prevention/intervention strategies for families and provides opportunities for the healthy development of children between the ages of 0 and 6 years of age through family home visiting and service coordination referrals.

Services and Programs Offered:

  • Parenting Classes
  • Infant Massage
  • Infant/Child CPR
  • Child Development & Infant Sessions
  • Cooking Classes
  • Parent/Child Groups
  • Child Health Sessions
  • Preschool and School Age Screening
  • Breast Feeding Support
  • ‘Welcome’ baskets for new babies
  • Safety Awareness
  • Assists in access to healthy food and promotion of healthy eating strategies

Community Youth Worker

The Community Youth Worker provides programs and services to assist children and their families to overcome life’s challenges, as well as provide them the tools necessary to live a healthy and productive life.

Services and Program offered:

  • March Break Activities
  • Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast
  • Holiday celebrations, such as visits with Santa, and the Halloween celebration
  • Day Camp
  • Self Defense Classes
  • Movie Nights
  • Youth Dances
  • Bicycle Safety Course
  • Summer Day Camp
  • Youth arts, crafts and other interactive programming and activities

Mental Wellness Team

NNADAP

The purpose of this program is to plan, develop and deliver educational awareness programs with a specific focus on the reduction and prevention of alcohol, drugs, substance abuse and other addictions within the community of Curve Lake. The NNADAP worker is a positive community role model by abstaining from the use of alcohol, un-prescribed drugs, substances and other addictions.

Services and Programs Offered:

  • Counseling and referrals
  • Transportation for clients to treatment facilities
  • Addiction workshop
  • Supportive check-ins
  • Preventative programming
  • Family Violence Awareness
  • Responsible Gambling Workshops

Healing and Wellness

Community connections to wellness services including: Traditional Healing, Drumming, Sweats and Full Moon Ceremonies. Advocates for client individual requests for needed services and supports for Mental Health and Addictions, both Western and Traditional. Provides client and family support when needed. Referrals to off-reserve services, as well as Community Elders and Programs.

Mental Health Outreach

The Mental Health Outreach Worker can help in accessing services regarding mental health and addictions. The delivery of the service model integrates approaches to assess, diagnose and treat Mental Health issues across the life cycle by providing a case management approach. Supports provided include service coordination, linking clients with services and supports, providing outreach, case management support, client interventions and coordinating Community Treatment Orders.

Services are aimed at helping youth and adults find help when dealing with mental health and addiction challenges.

Note: Periodically, the Health Centre has on-site counseling services one day per week. Should on-site counseling services be unavailable, the Health Centre will direct you to outside agencies.

Seniors Services – Home Health Care Assistance (for ages 18+)

Services and Program offered:

  • Home and Community Care
  • Home Makers Program

Personal Support Workers (PSWs)

Personal Support Workers are also available in the community to provide client care, palliative care and respite services.

Home & Community Care Program

Outdoor maintenance along with in-house activities. Additional staff provide ‘home care’ services to member households in Curve Lake. The purpose of the program is to assist individuals to live independently in the community. Services include, but are not limited to Recycling and garbage pick-up, lawn maintenance, snow removal, and cleaning houses.

Nursing Services

We have an RPN on staff if medical issues arise that require a nurse to provide services. Our staff nurse at this time does in-house assessments for client needs. Contact with clients to make sure all the needs are being met with our programs.

Loan Cupboard

The Centre also provides services to the community through the lending cupboard program, which maintains and loans various medical supplies and equipment. Supplies that can be signed out free of charge include but are not limited to: crutches, wheelchairs, bathing chairs/rails, walkers, canes, etc.

If you are a Curve Lake Member and require any of our services or have any questions please contact us.

Social Services

The Curve Lake First Nation Social Services Department provides programs through the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health and is cost-shared with those ministries, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development under the Federal and Provincial 1965 Welfare Agreement.

The main goal is to provide financial and employment assistance to members in need of a safe and supportive environment.

Our sincerest appreciation for the dedication of former Ontario Works Administrators, who paved the road for success to continue serving residents of the Curve Lake Community with the Ontario Works Program:

  • Kay Taylor, Administrator and founder of the Ontario Native Welfare Administrator’s Association (ONWAA) that supports over 100 First Nation Ontario Works offices across the Province. ONWAA is our leading resource for training in Ontario Works policy and development
  • Susie Taylor, Administrator for Curve Lake continues to share her expertise as Elder for ONWAA
  • Jeannine Smith, Administrator who shared her knowledge of Municipal Ontario Works practices to enhance our First Nation delivery
  • Noreen Conway, Administrator and Kristin Phillips, Integrated Case Worker for sharing their knowledge and experience to deliver an exceptional Ontario Works Program for the Curve Lake community

The CLFN Ontario Works Service Plan is used to plan programs and services to help our community members. The overall intent of Ontario Works is to offer interim financial assistance and employment assistance to residents of the Curve Lake community. Every person has the right and is welcome to come and fill out an application for Ontario Works, Financial Assistance. The rates for Ontario Works benefits are consistent across Ontario and the amount allotted depends on family size.

All financial assistance is appealable first by Internal Review, then if needed to the Social Benefits Tribunal except for the Discretional Benefits and Transitional Support Fund, which are administered at the discretion of the Ontario Works Administrator.

For more information on the Ontario Works Application form and current rates, please refer to http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/MCSS/programs/social/ow/index.aspx.

Ontario Works Programs and Services

Financial Assistance – for Ontario Works Recipients (Basic Shelter, Food)

Employment Assistance – for Ontario Works Recipients (transportation, work equipment, CPIC, Certification course fees, workshops, computers, job boards

Mandatory Benefits – for Ontario Works Recipients
  • Drug Card
  • Special Diet Allowance
  • Funerals & Burials

Ontario Works Child Care – To assist Ontario Works recipients with child care expenses to attend employment related activities.

Discretionary Benefits – must be on Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) and reside in Curve Lake First Nation

Transitional Support Fund – Emergency home repairs, moving expenses, utility arrears, disconnection or eviction. For more information on programs to help with Hydro costs:

Funerals & Burials

  • We assist Social Services clients who are on Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support with funeral costs funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services
  • We assist CLFN status members with funeral costs as funded by INAC
  • Ontario Works is a last resort for financial assistance and we encourage applications to alternate funding agencies (Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) or other pensions, etc. prior to accessing these limited funds

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

  • We have partnered with ODSP and Case Worker Joan Smith comes bi-weekly on Friday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. to the CLFN Government Services Building to answer questions and provide support to anyone residing in the Curve Lake community. Please call Ontario Works to make an appointment

CLFN Food Bank Program

  • Distribution day for Kawartha Food share is the first Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Distribution day for the Dairy Box is the second Wednesday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
  • Distribution day for the Fresh Produce Box is the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. exception in December 2017 – third Wednesday