H-CARDD Conversations: Policy Makers
We connected with Barbara Simmons, Director of Community Supports Policy at the Ministry of Community and Social Services and Phil Graham, Director of Primary Health Care Branch at the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to hear more about how H-CARDD research impacts their work. Both Barbara and Phil have been key stakeholders in scaling up the findings from H-CARDD research into opportunities for action.
Who are you and what is your title?
Barbara Simmons, Director of Community Supports Policy at the Ministry of Community and Social Services, I'm responsible for policy development and regulatory oversight for government-funded developmental disability services in Ontario.
What do you find important about H-CARDD research?
I am a big fan of the various knowledge transfer initiatives that H-CARDD has supported, like the action projects, things like the Curriculum of Caring, the poster campaign, training and education tools and resources. While we use the research findings to inflect development of policy guidelines, directives, and regulations, I find these on-the-ground translations of research into practice are vitally important.
How does the work of the H-CARDD program impact the work you do?
The strong credibility of H-CARDD research, in terms of the expertise of researchers and partners, allows me and my team of senior policy advisors to make confident recommendations to government decision-makers. The demonstrated success of action projects and knowledge transfer initiatives allows me to recommend these to numerous partners, agencies, families, practitioners within the DS sector. In addition, H-CARDD research often helps crystallize a specific problem so we can take focused action to improve it - the need for individuals in our sector to have better access to primary care physicians, or the identification of over-medication for our population, lets us put precise follows up in place. And we can then measure the improvement after we take action.
What are some of the strengths and challenges policy makers might face when working with research programs, like H-CARDD?
Sometimes the research is clear and strong, but the resources or the will to change some things aren't there - maybe it's complicated, difficult, costly, there's opposition not on the basis of science but based on perception and opinion. I think it's very important to be transparent about research work - what it is, what it may help solve or figure out, and what it is not, while the work is underway, so that findings can be accepted and move to action without a lot of extra "noodling" over what it all means.
What tips would you provide to other research programs like H-CARDD about moving research into policy (or working with policy makers)?
Well, as above. I think researchers generally (and H-CARDD definitely) do a good job of demonstrating what their research shows or means, but sometimes are less effective in telling policy types how to measure it, what actions to take, what follow-up should happen, or what we can anticipate will improve/change. It's always important to be able to say how a person's life will be improved if a certain action is taken or a certain project initiated.
Any other general comments on H-CARDD?
Invaluable research and knowledge transfer experts, we look forward to ongoing work together.
Who are you and what is your title?
My name is Phil Graham and I am the Director of the Primary Health Care Branch in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
What do you find important about H-CARDD research?
One of the best things about working in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and with health care providers and partners across the province is a shared commitment to improve. H-CARDD exemplifies this. The approach of H-CARDD acknowledges that there is no one person, agency or government ministry that can alone improve the health and health care for those with developmental disabilities. One of its strengths is bringing together people with developmental disabilities, clinicians, service providers and people in government with a shared goal to make things better.
How does the work of the H-CARDD program impact the work you do?
One concrete example of the impact is the work that H-CARDD led to develop a comprehensive compendium of evidence on the health and health care received by individuals with developmental disabilities: The Atlas on Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario. This important work provides a strong foundation of evidence for policy makers, researchers, individuals with developmental disabilities and others to bring forward ideas to improve on the status quo.
What are some of the strengths and challenges policy makers might face when working with research programs, like H-CARDD?
The clear strength of working with H-CARDD is a very clear objective to improve the health and health care of individuals with developmental disabilities. This clarity is important and serves as the lens through which all H-CARDD activities are looked through. Another is that it brings a range of partners together who have a role in making this happen. A challenge, but also an opportunity, is that there is no one way to meet this objective. Individuals with developmental disabilities, like all of us, are not a uniform group. All have different needs and strengths and it is important for us to respect these differences to make sure the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities are placed at the centre of planning, policy and implementation activities.
What tips would you provide to other research programs like H-CARDD about moving research into policy (or working with policy makers)?
I am fortunate to partner with researchers on a variety of topics and initiatives. One tip is to treat the research to policy process as a relationship. Like any relationship, it takes trust and understanding the perspectives of one another to make it work. It is important for those involved in policy to understand what is important for researchers and likewise for researchers to understand the needs of policy and the dynamic policy development process. Another tip is the need for patience. Both research and policy development take time and rely on several inputs to get it right. Particularly for complex issues, there is rarely a ‘quick fix’. Understanding this is key to ensuring that getting it right is not sacrificed by getting it done quickly.
Any other general comments on H-CARDD?
To be part of an initiative that has as its goal the improvement of health and health care for individuals with developmental disabilities is a privilege for me. It is also a privilege to see first-hand the commitment and dedication to this cause by those involved, including people with lived experience, researchers, front-line providers and government. And of course, the leadership and passion of Yona Lunsky, the project director, is inspiring and has been instrumental to advance the initiative.