How We Work
Our Shared Goals
In 2019, CYPT Voting Members decided to evolve the Shared Goals for Child and Youth Well-being to include UNICEF’s Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being. This shared measurement evolution was officially implemented in January 2020.
Members were excited to see so much alignment between what CYPT members had established locally with what children and youth across Canada said mattered to their well-being. The evolved framework benefits from the considerable research done by UNICEF Canada into the well-being of children and youth, as defined by children and youth themselves.
Nine dimensions of child and youth well-being
- We are happy and respected.
- We are connected to our environment.
- We are secure.
- We belong.
- We are participating.
- We are learning.
- We are healthy.
- We are free to play.
- We are protected.
Together, we are working to improve the well-being of children and youth in Waterloo Region and to move the needle on these nine dimensions of child and youth well-being. We believe, as a collective, that these focus areas are key to the well-being of children and youth.
Collective Impact
When we come together as a collaborative, we use the collective impact model. Collective impact is a collaborative working style that brings together different organizations to solve large complex problems. In our case, that big problem is child and youth well-being.
Collective impact is built on five interconnected components to strengthen alignment and lead to large scale results. The five components of collective impact are:
- Common agenda
- Shared measurement
- Mutual reinforcing activities
- Continuous communication
- Backbone support
In 2018, the Collective Impact Recommendation Working Group was formed to produce a recommendation for CYPT members on a priority area of focus for Collective Impact. Their recommendation was to focus on sense of Belonging.
Our Charter
In 2018, Voting Members endorsed our charter document that outlines how we work, the roles and responsibilities for our members, and our governance structure.
Current Work
The current work of the CYPT is focused predominately in the area of Belonging for Children and Youth (which includes Equity, Attachment/ Relationships and Children and Youth Feeling Valued, Heard and Included) and System Coordination.
Visit each page for additional information on our work and opportunities to contribute.
We think belonging is essential to well-being and when you have a strong sense of belonging, it benefits people in other areas of their lives.
Our current work is mainly focused on Belonging for Children and Youth, and System Coordination.
If you’re interested in being more involved in the work of the collaborative, click here for current and ongoing opportunities.