Skip to content

History

1986

In 1986, a working group consisting of community members, representatives of the local District Health Council, and Queen’s University was formed to put together a proposal for a community health centre in North Kingston. North Kingston was defined as the area between Princess Street and Highway 401, and east of Leroy Grant Drive to the Cataraqui River with a population of approximately 24,000.

1988

The funding was approved in 1988, and North Kingston Community Health Centre (NKCHC) opened its doors in October 1988 with a staff of eight.

1990

In 1990, SHC evolved from an outreach program, to needle exchange, methadone treatment, and ultimately, into a more comprehensive model in response to identified needs within the community.

1992

In 1992 NKCHC received funds to expand its focus on young children by sponsoring the Better Beginnings for Kingston Children program. It was a five-year research demonstration project to assess the long-term effects of early prevention and family/community support on the healthy development of children living in North Kingston.

“Keep Six,” a needle exchange program, was established under the governance of the local health unit, and SHC moved under the governance of Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Health Unit. It became evident early in partnership with SHC that a CHC model was a better fit for the clients of SHC.

1997

BBKC began to provide a full range of programs serving families living in North Kingston.

2000

In early 2000, NKCHC seconded a nurse practitioner to a partnership project, Street Health Centre (SHC). Originally SHC started within an AIDS service organization as a health education outreach program.

2004

Funding approved for Street Health Centre to become a satellite of NKCHC.

2005

Early in 2005, the Board completed a new strategic plan, which recognized the activities of the organization were no longer limited to North Kingston. This was especially true for the work done at the systems level to effect change on determinants of health. At the same time, each site focuses on specific populations and has a unique culture. The Board decided to change the corporate name to Kingston Community Health Centres.

2006

The Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program (OHRDP) and Immigrant Services Kingston Area (ISKA) were added to KCHC in July and October of 2006.

2008

Napanee & Area CHC received pre-operational budget as a satellite of KCHC.

2009

NACHC awarded funding for an Indigenous Nurse Practitioner (INP)

The Kingston Immigration Partnership (KIP) became part of KCHC.

NACHC officially opened.

2010

Pathways to Education (P2E) launched and enrolled first cohort of grade 9 students.

2011

INP offered Asemma (Tobacco) to Elders for guidance regarding the question, “How does the a Non-Indigenous organization offer health services to an Indigenous community?”

Dental clinic opened at Weller site to offer care to children and youth via the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

2012

Four Visioning Circles attended by members of the Kingston, Napanee and Deseronto Communities (2 circles in Kingston and 2 circles in Deseronto). The visioning circle determined the activities of the Indigenous Health Program (ceremony, on the land, cultural-based activities for healing and wellness, teaching circles, access to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, inclusive approach).

New position of Indigenous Health Program Consultant was created.

2013

The Indigenous Health Council was formed to coordinate healing and wellness in the regional Indigenous Communities.  

KCHC created an Indigenous Community Development Worker position to provide support to urban Indigenous Communities throughout the region.

Regional Telemedicine program began, with a goal of improving patient access to medical services through video conferencing technology.

Launch of Thrive, a new regional program to deliver one-on-one support for opioid-dependent pregnant women and mothers of children under the age of six. 

2014

The Indigenous Blood Pressure Clinic and Drum Circles were started to provide culturally sensitive support and education to the Indigenous Communities.  

With the new building at 263 Weller, KCHC was able to provide space for the IHC meetings, Indigenous Wellness Day, the Language Nest, Tanning Workshops, Sweat Lodge and Ceremonies.

Indigenous Health Program Consultant title changed to Indigenous Medicine Person.

The LHIN Emergency Dental Clinic started to operate at Weller, geared towards low income adults within our community including, but not limited to, individuals on OW, ODSP, NIHB, or who have no/limited benefits.

P2E had a full cohort of students, grade 9-12. Graduation of first class of P2E students with a 93% graduation rate.

New KCHC building at 263 Weller Ave completed, five separate sites moved into new building in May & June.

2016

When building the Napanee Area Community Health Centre, the Indigenous Health Council designed the Cedar Lodge, a space specifically set aside to serve the Indigenous Communities.

New SHC building completed and opened at 115 Barrack St.

New NACHC building completed and opened, including dental operatories, at 26 Dundas St. W.

2017

Launch of RAAM (rapid access addiction medicine), a program to support same-day access for addiction assessment and treatment, at Barrack site.

2018

The Opioid Prevention Site opened in 2018 and then transitioned to what is now called the Consumption Treatment Service (CTS).

Formation of the Inter-professional Primary Care Team to provide allied health services to Physicians throughout Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

The Ministry of Education merged Better Beginnings Better Futures, Ontario Early Years Centres and Parent and Family Literacy Centres to create EarlyON Centres.  KCHC applied to deliver EarlyON programming locally and was successful, transitioning programming in fall of this year.

2019

Following the pilot of a transgender health clinic at KGH, Kingston Community Health Centres, with the support of the LHIN, established the Transgender Health Program at the Weller site.

2020

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program started (including dental capital build investment to expand dental clinics in both Napanee and Kingston).

CTS moved into Integrated Care Hub in a partnership with HARS, first at Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, then at its current home at 661 Montreal St.