September marks the end of year 2 of our 3-year Strategic Plan and so far, we’ve completed 24 out of 38 of our goals. Read below for more details on what we’ve accomplished and what is yet to come.
Completed
1. Research
1.1.1: Identify a data collection process to hear first-hand from children (i.e., under 10) about their well-being.
1.1.2: Conduct the first Waterloo Region Child Voice Project.
1.1.4 (NEW: not originally in Strategic Plan): Conduct sense-making sessions using the 2023 YIS data.
1.3.1: Initiate pilot for program-level belonging measurement with early and middle years children.
2. Knowledge Mobilization & Influence
2.1.1: Map out network of decision makers to understand their linkage points to child and youth well-being.
2.2.1: Identify our priority calls to action.
2.2.2: Create easy to digest & visually appealing resources of key research points to share.
2.2.3: Create a strategy around adult members influencing key decision makers.
3. Community Coordination
3.2.1: Identify at least one action from 2025 Data in Action for the community to prioritize.
4. Organizational Excellence
4.1.3: Establish an updated evaluation strategy.
4.1.2: Establish an updated Communications strategy and approach.
4.2.1: Secure on-going funding support for general operating from the Region of Waterloo and Area Municipalities.
Ongoing
1. Research
1.1.6: New research with academic partners (separate from YIS/Child Voice Project)
1.2.1: Review best known practices for impacting the belonging of children and youth.
1.2.2 (NEW: not originally in Strategic Plan): Conduct deeper-level analysis on the Youth Impact Survey data to identify key insights and leverage points.
1.3.2: Continue supporting organizations working with youth in their measurement of belonging at a program-level.
1.3.3: Conduct analysis of aggregate program-level belonging data.
2. Knowledge Mobilization & Influence
2.3.2: Advocate for local funding investments that directly benefit children and youth.
3. Community Coordination
3.3.1: Host annual conference that brings together learnings about belonging & furthers belonging action.
3.3.2: Coordinate youth-led decision making for change in our community, via the Youth Impact Project.
3.3.3: Operate action-oriented Groups to mobilize particular pieces of work on behalf of the collective.
3.3.5 (NEW: not originally in Strategic Plan): Host annual I&A Summit that brings youth together to review the the Youth Impact Survey data and design community solutions to challenges.
4. Organizational Excellence
4.1.1: Create a filter for all current and proposed CYPT work to be considered against.
4.2.2: Seek larger/ longer- term investments from fewer funders.
In Progress
1. Research
1.1.3: Begin the 2026 Youth Impact Survey.
2. Knowledge Mobilization & Influence
2.1.2: Identify key decision makers to build relationships with.
3. Community Coordination
3.1.1: Create a shared understanding of belonging.
3.2.2: Create a structure to account for the work happening from Data in Action.
4. Organizational Excellence
4.2.3: Explore the creation of for-fee offerings.
4.3.2: Clarify the roles and responsibilities of staff being more operational in nature, & of members being less operational.
4.3.3: Articulate how the Governance structure embeds equity.
Not Started
1. Research
1.3.3: Conduct analysis of aggregate program-level belonging data.
2. Knowledge Mobilization & Influence
2.1.3: Align our priority calls to action with key decision makers.
2.3.1: Identify key policy changes to support child and youth well-being.
2.2.3: Create a strategy around youth influencing key decision makers.
3. Community Coordination
3.1.2: Increase the number of people applying shared understanding of belonging in their spaces/circle of influence.
3.1.3: Identify meaningful actions for how different key audiences can foster belonging in their spaces/circle of influence.
3.2.3: Create a reporting structure to share with young people and the community about change happening.
4. Organizational Excellence
4.3.1: Determine the involvement of young people and a decision-making structure that sees young people sharing power with adults.
Read more about our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan here. If you have any questions about the strategic direction of the CYPT or strategic planning, please reach out to Alison Pearson (CYPT Manager) at APearson@regionofwaterloo.ca.