Backbone Team - Children and Youth Planning Table

A great deal of support is needed to ensure that the Children and Youth Planning Table is able to work collaboratively to improve the well-being of children and youth in Waterloo Region. Our Steering Committee, Advisory Teams, and Staff work very hard to support the Children and Youth Planning Table.

Currently, our Steering Committee includes the Chairs of any Working Group, Nested Group, Children and Youth Planning Table Co-chairs and Staff. The Steering Committee provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction to the Children and Youth Planning Table.

Goranka Vukelich

Co-Chair – Children and Youth Planning Table

Jaime Jacomen & Sharlene Sedgwick-Walsh – Early Years Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Sanjay Govindaraj – Well-being Waterloo Region Social Inclusion Working Group & Immigration Partnership Belonging Pillar
Kathilee Porter – Early Literacy Alliance of Waterloo Region Chair

Barb Cardow

Co-Chair – Children and Youth Planning Table

Wanda Kampijan & Hilary Sudar – Parenting Alliance of Waterloo Region Co-Chairs
Rania Lawendy – Voting Member at Large
Karen Spencer – Pandemic Working Group Chair
Debbie Engel – Past Co-Chair
Alison Pearson – CYPT Manager
The Children and Youth Planning Table Data, Research and Evaluation Team is an ongoing, Support Team of data, research, and evaluation experts within our participating organizations. The Data Team is responsible for tracking, collecting, and analyzing the data to support our shared measurement and the Child and Youth Well-being Dashboard.
The Communication Advisory Team is an ongoing Support Team that supports the Children and Youth Planning Table through effective communication strategies. The Communication Advisory Team aims to:
- Ensure communication is nimble and responsive to the needs of members
- Increase the profile of the Children and Youth Planning Table in the broader community
- Support members to find information and communicate with each other
- Increase the engagement of members
- Support the sustainability of the Children and Youth Planning Table
The Continuous Professional Learning Committee (CPLC) is CYPT’s newest Support Team, focused on promoting a system-wide approach to professional learning that advances our Shared Goals and Shared Foundations for Practice to improve well-being for children and youth. The CPLC invites diverse expertise to engage professionals working with children, youth, and/or families in meaningful learning that supports equitable practice, social inclusion, and healthy development. The group also seeks to communicate the value of professional learning for all those working with children, youth, and families in our community and supports inter-professional learning that is responsive to sector needs