RFP Government Relations Strategy and Services

Alliance for Healthier Communities; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alliance for Healthier Communities seeks a Government Relations firm to support the implementation of their Strategic Plan by enhancing their positioning in the provincial health system. This includes advocating for social prescribing, promoting the Alliance’s brand, and establishing 'Health Homes' to improve community health equity and integration.

Qualifications

• Experience in government relations and advocacy.
• Strong understanding of Ontario's health system.
• Experience in developing strategic communications plans.

Responsibilities

• Secure recognition and resources for social prescribing.
• Position the Alliance as a primary care leader.
• Transform Ontario's health system integrating Health Homes.

Skills

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advocacy

Community involvement

Job description

The Alliance for Healthier Communities (the “Alliance”) is seeking a Government Relations (GR) firm(“GR Firm”) to help:

• Secure recognition and resources for social prescribing as a core provincial strategy.
• Ensure we position the Alliance as primary care leader through intentional branding and strategic communications pathways.
• Transform Ontario’s health system by integrating "Health Homes" that are inclusive, equitable, and community oriented.

Alliance’s budget for this project is up to a maximum of $100,000 before taxes for a 12 month contract.

About the Alliance for Healthier Communities

The Alliance for Healthier Communities represents over 100 community-governed, team-based primary health care organizations across Ontario. Our members—including Community Health Centres, Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations, Community Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics and other Interprofessional Primary Care Teams—deliver comprehensive, equity-driven care to people and communities facing the greatest barriers.

Scope of Services and Deliverables

The Alliance is seeking a Government Relations (GR) firm to support the implementation of our Strategic Plan (2022–2027) by focusing on three core objectives (outlined in detail below):

• Positioning as Primary Care Leader to reinforce the Alliance's role as a leader in primary care by branding it as the critical connector in Ontario’s health system transformation.
• Positioning and embedding Social Prescribing (SP) as a core component of Ontario’s health system transformation.
• Advancing the Alliances "Health Home" Vision to act as integrated neighborhood hubs, that embody supportive and collaborative primary health care, advancing population health while being firmly rooted in health equity.

The GR firm will help us with this by providing:

• Communications and positioning support with decision makers.
• Facilitating meetings with key decision makers.
• Providing intelligence and strategic advice to the Alliance on how to achieve these objectives.

Key Core Objectives for Government Relations Support

• Positioning the Alliance as a Leader in Primary Care (30% of contract focus)

A central priority for our Government Relations strategy is positioning the Alliance as the essential connector and leader within Ontario’s primary care landscape. The Alliance plays a pivotal role in bringing together diverse primary care providers, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and system integration. We provide value add components to the primary care system in Ontario including data collection expertise, learning health system expertise and more.

To enhance this role, we require a full-scale strategic communications plan that:

• Clearly articulates Alliance’s position as the critical link driving innovation and integration in primary care.
• Develops compelling messaging that resonates with government officials, policy makers, and community partners.
• Elevates our brand and visibility as Ontario’s trusted leader in community-led, equitable primary care models, including social prescribing and neighborhood-based "Health Homes."
• Identifies and leverages key opportunities to align stakeholders around our shared vision for a supportive, community-driven health system.
• Builds trust and understanding among diverse audiences by promoting stories of success, collaboration, and community impact.

Strategic communication supportmust be designed to compel people to work together—breaking down silos, fostering mutual understanding, and encouraging policies that support holistic, community-centered care. This integrated approach is vital to advancing our mission of transforming Ontario’s health system into one that deeply values community engagement, health equity, and innovation.

By positioning us as an essential partner in primary care,the alliance will better influence policy development, secure necessary resources, and catalyze collaborative efforts across the system. The right communications strategies will ensure our role as a unifying force in primary care is recognized and supported at all levels of government and community.

• Advancing Social Prescribing as System Infrastructure (50% of contract focus)

Issue: Social prescribing (SP) connects people to non-clinical supports—like food programs, housing supports, cultural connections, and social networks—by recognizing the critical role of social determinants in health. Ontario has been a leader in SP innovation through Alliance members, but system-wide recognition, integration, and sustainable funding remain absent.

GR Role & Priorities:

• Elevate SP in government discourse as an essential, evidence-informed approach to upstream care and population health.
• Advocate for SP to be embedded in system planning (e.g., Ontario Health Teams, PHC Networks, Ministry strategies).
• Secure dedicated, long-term funding for social prescribing initiatives across Alliance members.
• Promote policy and operational levers to scale SP across the province—including link worker roles, community partnership models, and data integration.
• Position the Alliance as Ontario’s expert and system lead in community-governed, equity-driven SP models.
• Advancing the Alliances "Health Home" Vision (20% of contract focus)

Objective: To ensure the Ontario Government supports and fully understands the Alliance's vision for establishing "Health Homes" nestled within neighborhoods, promoting a comprehensive and inclusive approach to primary health care that centres around health equity.

Vision Overview:

Health Home Concept:Our vision is to create "Health Homes" that serve as integral neighborhood hubs, not limited to patients visiting clinics but inclusive of the entire community. These homes will embody supportive and collaborative primary health care, advancing population health while being firmly rooted in health equity.

Inclusive Health: Emphasize that "Health Homes" extend beyond clinical visits to serve entire communities, supporting the health and wellness of all residents within their neighborhoods.

Equity and Innovation: Position "Health Homes" as innovative solutions that promote health equity, addressing social determinants of health through integrated community resources.

Population Health Advancement: Advocate that by grounding primary health care in neighborhoods, "Health Homes" will play a critical role in advancing population health and creating resilient communities.

GR Role & Priorities:

Educational Engagement:Develop targeted initiatives to educate government officials on the "Health Home" concept, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize health care by embedding it within community fabric.

Policy Advocacy:Advocate for policy frameworks that recognize and fund community-based "Health Home" models, ensuring they are aligned with broader health system goals.

Community Involvement:Highlight the importance of community involvement in the design and implementation of "Health Homes," showcasing the role of diverse stakeholders in enhancing health outcomes.

RFP closing date: August 8, 2025 at 10:00am ET

Please refer to the to the link above for the full RFP document and submission instructions