Call For Workshop Abstracts

Abstract Deadline: April 23, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST

Conference Theme

Shifting the Balance: When Upstream Becomes Mainstream 

CommunityConnect 2025 invites thought-provoking, interactive workshops that explore how we can shift our health system’s focus to prevention and strengthen the role of home and community care.


Despite clear evidence of its impact, home and community care remains undervalued. Our conference seeks to explore new pathways that position prevention, wellness, and the social determinants of health as essential pillars of our system.  


Help us shift the balance! We invite engaging one-hour sessions that explore innovative care models, unique partnerships, research and interventions demonstrating the value and impact of upstream health and social care. Your expertise and experience can help us redefine how we approach healthcare delivery in Ontario!

Session Themes

Here are some key areas of interest, but we encourage submissions on other related ideas that align with the conference theme: (click to learn more).

  • Innovative Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies

    Unique early intervention programs that improve health outcomes and prevent hospital admissions


    Harnessing technology to enhance early detection, monitoring, and support in home and community care

  • Community-Driven and Co-Designed Care Models

    Integrating social prescribing into home and community care to improve holistic health outcomes


    Scalable, community-led solutions for reducing social isolation and enhancing well-being


    Innovative housing models that provide stability and support for housing-insecure populations

  • Strengthening Partnerships for System-Wide Impact

    Effective collaboration with primary care and hospitals to improve client outcomes


    Lessons learned from Ontario Health Team partnerships 

  • Addressing Equity and Social Determinants of Health

    Addressing social and economic barriers to care


    Integrating DEI into decision-making and service delivery

  • Advocacy, Policy and Leadership for Prevention

    Communicating the impact of prevention: engaging policymakers, funders, and the public


    Equipping leaders to advocate for prevention-focused care models


    Leadership strategies for integrating home, community, and primary care

  • Research and Evidence-Based Approaches

    Research that advances our understanding of how community-based care models reduce health disparities and improve access for marginalized populations.


    Assessing cost savings, health outcomes, and system efficiencies from early intervention and prevention-focused community programs.


Session Formats

Presentation Followed by Q&A

A structured session, including a Q&A period, where one or more presenters share insights, case studies, research findings, or innovative practices on a specific topic. Collaborative presentations showcasing the work of two or more organizations are welcome.

Networking Session

An interactive session with a clear theme, designed to facilitate connections among participants with shared interests or challenges. The session should include structured small-group discussions and whole-group debriefs. 

Panel presentations

A dynamic session featuring up to 3 panelists who share diverse perspectives on a key issue in home and community care. The session should include a moderated discussion and audience engagement.

Selection Process

Each workshop abstract will be reviewed by the members of the conference program advisory committee and ranked based on the overall quality of the proposal and the workshop’s fit to the conference as detailed in this rubric (please review the rubric before submitting your abstract).


Submission of an abstract does not guarantee acceptance as a speaker at the conference. All applicants will be contacted via email once the decision has been made by the selection committee.


If your workshop abstract is selected, OCSA will provide full-conference registration to two presenters at the special rate of $399. Additional presenters will have to purchase conference registration(s) at the regular rate. No other compensation or costs will be provided by OCSA.

Submission Guidelines

Please keep in mind the following guidelines when preparing your abstract:

  • Presenters are prohibited from marketing products, services, software or other commercial ventures in their sessions;
  • Presenters warrant that their presentation is their own original work, that they are the sole copyright holder or that they have obtained all necessary permissions or licenses from any persons or organizations whose material is included or used in their presentation;
  • All PowerPoint presentations must be submitted to OCSA for review by October 2nd, 2025. We cannot make changes to content, presenters, or slides after this date.
  • OCSA will provide full-conference registration to two presenters at the special rate of $399. The registration will provide access to all workshops, tradeshow, and meals. Additional presenters must purchase conference registration(s) at the regular rate.
Submit a Workshop Abstract Now

Abstract Deadline: April 23, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST

Questions?

Questions about the Call for Abstracts can be directed to agnes.Hui@ocsa.on.ca. For support using Submittable, our online submission platform, please visit their support site.

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