Over 2024, we have said goodbye to five CYPT Backbone Team staff. Due to funding limitations, we are headed into 2025 with these five seats vacant. These vacancies result in 45% fewer team members on the CYPT Backbone Staff team and 25% lower capacity to support the work of the collaborative. The reduction in CYPT Backbone Staff capacity will mean that the speed of CYPT work will slow down. Read below for more details and how we are mitigating.
Continued Reduced Administrative Support
The part-time CYPT Program Administration role remains vacant since July 2024. Sevil Berenji continues to temporarily hold most of this portfolio of work (thank you Sevil!). This means that her typical project management support continues to be reduced. Please connect with Sevil (SBerenji@regionofwaterloo.ca) as a first point of contact at the CYPT.
Continued Reduced Youth Engagement Work
Our Youth Engagement Team remains a team of one: Joana Lincho, Youth Engagement in Systems Lead. Our three Youth Connectors ended their contracts in June and we have not yet been able to bring on a new cohort. Joana has moved forward the Sense Making work with the 2023 Youth Impact Survey data, and the creation of the next Data in Action report, however at a slower pace.
Reduced Coaching & Sustainability Work
In September 2023, Margie McLean rejoined the CYPT Backbone Team in a new part-time role as the Coaching and Sustainability Lead. Before that, she was in the role of part-time Communications Coordinator for four years. December 31st is Margie’s last day in this current role on the CYPT Team. Margie played a significant role in many core projects in 2024, including the 2023 Youth Impact Survey Data Briefs, Disaggregated Data Snapshots, and the Annual Conference. Without her support moving forward, we anticipate projects to take longer as the rest of the team is stretched to meet demands.
It’s been wonderful to have the chance to work with Margie again, and we’d like to thank Margie for all her excellent work, her kindness and humour, and for always being willing to jump in and help anyone.
Thank you Abbey, Autumn, and Sierra!
In addition, Abbey Mcintosh, Autumn Chambers, and Sierra Sousa are ending their student placement with the CYPT in November. We’d like to thank them for all their great work over the past two months and wish them all the best as they pursue their Bachelor of Early Learning at Conestoga College!
Questions?
We appreciate your understanding at this time. If you have any questions please reach out to Alison Pearson, Manager of the CYPT, at APearson@regionofwaterloo.ca.