Use the ACHWM to
Measure Wellness
of Indigenous children and youth
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Measure Wellness
The ACHWM offers a tablet-based survey that provides Indigenous communities and organizations with an overview of the health and well-being of children. The measure offers insight into children's Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Mental wellness. The survey is completed on a tablet that engages children and acts as a catalyst for honest conversation. The results are shared with each child or youth in a visual form on the Balance Chart. The data obtained from the survey can be used for many purposes, including to identify areas where more services are needed and support advocacy for program funding.
Who can use the ACHWM?
Use of the ACHWM is restricted to Indigenous communities (e.g., First Nations, Inuit and Métis) or not-for-profit agencies, whose primary focus is to promote the health and well-being of Indigenous children.
Are there fees involved?
There is no licensing fee for using the ACHWM. Community costs include: [bullet](Staff time: To administer the survey, analyze the data, produce reports, and provide mental health support for children.) [bullet](Equipment: Tablets and protective cases. Contact ACHWM staff for hardware details.) Click here for a complete list of [Required Resources](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Resources%20Needed%20for%20ACHWM.pdf)
Are there fees involved?
There is no licensing fee for using the ACHWM. Community costs include: [bullet](Staff time: To administer the survey, analyze the data, produce reports, and provide mental health support for children.) [bullet](Equipment: Tablets and protective cases. Contact ACHWM staff for hardware details.) Click here for a complete list of [Required Resources](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Resources%20Needed%20for%20ACHWM.pdf)
For more FAQs
Review the [ACHWM FAQs](https://achwm.ca/about/faq) for frequently asked questions and the [ACHWM About](https://achwm.ca/about/achwm) page to learn more about the ACHWM and its history.
Benefits of the ACHWM
Watch this [short video](https://bit.ly/ACHWM-v06) explaining 6 benefits of the ACHWM!
What can the ACHWM be used for?
The purpose of the ACHWM is to provide Indigenous communities or organizations with an overview of the health and well-being status of the children and youth in their communities. What is your purpose? Flip through and select from the following 3 options: [bullet](population health assessment) [bullet](health screening) [bullet](clinical screening)
1) For population health assessment
The ACHWM is used as a Population Health assessment that can be valuable for providing a description of the health of a group of children within a school, organization, or community. The ACHWM can collect an overall group-level population health assessment. Organizations use this for groups of 15 to 200 individuals (support considerations needed for larger groups). The data illustrates how well the children and youth are doing, their strengths as a whole, and where there might be opportunities for growth. For example, there may be a need for further resources or funding to support healthy wellness development for children and youth in the community.
2) As a health screening tool
The ACHWM as a health screening tool can create a baseline connection between an individual child and support services. Clinicians and counsellors have used this tool one on one with the children and youth they are working with. The survey generates an overall wellness score, as well as scores for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. The screening function may be used: [bullet](To engage hard to reach children) [bullet](To stimulate positive discussions to promote better health) [bullet](As a catalyst for honest conversations about their health) [bullet](Clinicians (mental health workers, doctors, etc..) can use the measure with their clients to help inform their session and direct conversation) [bullet](Can record progress and opportunities for growth from intake to follow-ups)
2) As a health screening tool
The ACHWM as a health screening tool can create a baseline connection between an individual child and support services. Clinicians and counsellors have used this tool one on one with the children and youth they are working with. The survey generates an overall wellness score, as well as scores for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. The screening function may be used: [bullet](To engage hard to reach children) [bullet](To stimulate positive discussions to promote better health) [bullet](As a catalyst for honest conversations about their health) [bullet](Clinicians (mental health workers, doctors, etc..) can use the measure with their clients to help inform their session and direct conversation) [bullet](Can record progress and opportunities for growth from intake to follow-ups)
3) As a program evaluation tool
The ACHWM can be used as a program evaluation tool and collects health outcomes to understand the impact a program has on children's wellness. By administering the survey before and after a program, health care workers can track changes in the wellness scores of the participants. This will allow them: [bullet](To guide decisions about what program to offer) [bullet](To advocate for program funding) [bullet](To determine if the program is effective and/or if changes are needed)
Learn about the ACHWM app:
The ACHWM App
The ACHWM app empowers communities and organizations to measure First Nation, Inuit, and Métis children's wellness. The ACHWM app is available to communities with a signed agreement. View the following slideshow to explore the app features: Click here to create a member login and begin creating a new project in the [ACHWM Member Portal](HTTP://achwm.ca/login)
Language and versions
The ACHWM has been adapted to offer versions that reflect cultural differences and inclusivity. Each version has been modified in collaboration with an advisory committee that includes local Elders, community members, and local children. Versions are available for First Nation, Métis, children in family services, French and English.
The Balance Chart
After completing the survey, the child's ACHWM score from each area of health is shown in the Balance Chart directly on the app. The Balance Chart highlights our four areas of focus in Indigenous children's wellness: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Mental (Intellectual) health. These real-time results are provided in a visual form to children and youth. This tool is valuable when the local health worker has conversations with the child in regards to their strengths and opportunities.
The Balance Chart
After completing the survey, the child's ACHWM score from each area of health is shown in the Balance Chart directly on the app. The Balance Chart highlights our four areas of focus in Indigenous children's wellness: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Mental (Intellectual) health. These real-time results are provided in a visual form to children and youth. This tool is valuable when the local health worker has conversations with the child in regards to their strengths and opportunities.
Accessibility
The ACHWM app includes a speak-aloud function to increase accessibility for children. This option will read the question and possible answers to guide the child in sharing their wellness story.
Learn more about the results and the report generated:
Results and Reports
Once a child has completed the ACHWM, an individual report is automatically generated and available to local health workers to summarize their wellness scores and any answers of concern that require immediate follow-up. Automated group reports* are available for download off of your private account that summarizes aggregated, group results. Our reports focus on the children's strengths and positive characteristics. By focusing on what the child does have, not what they lack, the reports create opportunities for children to build confidence and use their strengths to work towards wellness. All of the raw data that contributed to this report is available to you at any time. *Please note that the automated group reports are only available for the Collaborative and Research Agreements. If an Independent Agreement is selected, an analytical tool is provided to help facilitate communities in writing their own reports. Click here to view the [Agreement Comparison Chart](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/images/Agreement%20Comparison%20Chart.png).
Results and Reports
Once a child has completed the ACHWM, an individual report is automatically generated and available to local health workers to summarize their wellness scores and any answers of concern that require immediate follow-up. Automated group reports* are available for download off of your private account that summarizes aggregated, group results. Our reports focus on the children's strengths and positive characteristics. By focusing on what the child does have, not what they lack, the reports create opportunities for children to build confidence and use their strengths to work towards wellness. All of the raw data that contributed to this report is available to you at any time. *Please note that the automated group reports are only available for the Collaborative and Research Agreements. If an Independent Agreement is selected, an analytical tool is provided to help facilitate communities in writing their own reports. Click here to view the [Agreement Comparison Chart](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/images/Agreement%20Comparison%20Chart.png).
Implementation Process Map
Click Here to download the [ACHWM Process Map](https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Process%20Map%20April%202021.pdf) to help walk you through each milestone along the way.
Implementation Process chart
Click here to download [The ACHWM Process](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/images/Flow%20chart%20with%20outcomes%202021.pptx_.jpg). This graphic demonstrates the ACHWM process at both the child and community levels.
Implementation Process chart
Click here to download [The ACHWM Process](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/images/Flow%20chart%20with%20outcomes%202021.pptx_.jpg). This graphic demonstrates the ACHWM process at both the child and community levels.
Recommendations for Implementation
The ACHWM team has identified numerous conversations that have been helpful in the early stages of ACHWM planning and organizing. We encourage communities and not-for-profit organizations to reflect on this project in-depth, prior to signing an agreement. The key focus of this project is supporting the health and wellness of children and youth. Click here for the [ACHWM Recommendations Checklist](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Printable%20ACHWM%20Recommendations.pdf) to access the list of recommendations.
Recommendations for Implementation
The ACHWM team has identified numerous conversations that have been helpful in the early stages of ACHWM planning and organizing. We encourage communities and not-for-profit organizations to reflect on this project in-depth, prior to signing an agreement. The key focus of this project is supporting the health and wellness of children and youth. Click here for the [ACHWM Recommendations Checklist](https://achwm.ca/sites/default/files/documents/Printable%20ACHWM%20Recommendations.pdf) to access the list of recommendations.
