Community Health Centres (CHCs) are non-profit organizations funded by the Ministry of Health that provide primary health and health promotion programs for individuals, families and communities. A health centre is established and governed by an elected board of directors.

They link families with support and self-help groups that offer peer education, support in coping, or are working to address conditions that affect health. As such, the Community Health Centre Program contributes to the development of healthy communities.

Ontario’s CHCs serve over 110 communities throughout Ontario. Altogether there are 73 centres and most of these centres run satellites which extend their geographic reach. Each centre is an incorporated, non-profit agency, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. CHCs provide primary care services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. CHCs also work with local residents to build the capacity of the community to improve its general health.