We work with Anglophone and Francophone organizations to help build their capacity to work together with Francophones, engage French-speaking communities, and deliver services in French.
An officially designated bilingual organization since 1996, Health Nexus is proud to deliver our services in English and French.
Why offer French Language Services?
Providing services in French helps to build a more inclusive and healthy society by removing language as a key barrier to accessible services.
People who receive services in their own language are better able to follow health instructions or advices, have less need for hospital services and remain in better health. They also have a stronger sense of community belonging.
Service-providers who offer services in French have a better understanding of their Francophone clients and can offer higher quality services that are more closely suited to their needs. This allows organizations to reach more of their target audience, develop closer links with the community and put their organizational commitments to equity into action.
Legal requirement in Ontario mandates French Language Services
Francophones in Ontario have the right to request and receive services in their own language, from provincial and federal governments as well as from organizations that receive funding from the provincial government. This right is enshrined in the French Language Services Act.
The Act also states that the active offer of French-language services is a fundamental principle to be respected by Government of Ontario transfer payment organizations.
We offer customized consultation and advice
Health Nexus Resources
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Adding French to Your English Event Tools and tips on how to plan events that successfully and easily include a second language – even if you only speak English! French version |
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How to Engage Francophones...When You Don't Speak French! Three simple, practical ways to meaningfully engage Francophones even when you do not speak French. Common pitfalls as well as keys for success. French version
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First Steps to FLS Planning Planning to deliver French Language Services (FLS) can seem overwhelming, particularly if your organization is new to working with Francophone communities and delivering services in French. This resource is focussed on how to start planning -- and ultimately delivering -- services in French. French version
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Toolkit: Moving toward a bilingual organization What are the essential elements needed to create an environment that supports quality French language services? These steps + checklists help organizations create a bilingual organizational culture:
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Finders Keepers: Recruiting & Retaining Bilingual Staff Covers three important steps that improve an organization's success in maintaining bilingual staff: recruiting bilingual employees, retaining them and developing strategies to keep them in the organization. French version
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How to reach Francophones - Maternal and Early Years Programs - Manual This manual for service providers describes the challenges of reaching francophones in minority settings and offers strategies to overcome them. Many program examples are described. French version |
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Creating a Bilingual Organizational Culture An overview of a seven-step model to develop a bilingual organizational culture and profiles practical examples from organizations that have had success in this area. French version
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Working Together with Francophones in Ontario: Part 1 - Understanding the Context Describes Ontario's Francophone minority and the context in which they live. French version
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Working Together with Francophones in Ontario: Part 2 - Legislation and Institutional Support Describes the rights of Francophones in Ontario and the institutions and legislation in place to support those rights. French version |
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Connecting the Dots: A Handbook for Chronic Disease Prevention through Community Engagement. |
