As you may already know, the Children and Youth Planning Table has Support Teams that work year-round to improve child and youth well-being by leveraging expertise in their specific focus area. The CYPT currently has two active Support Teams:
- Data, Research, and Evaluation Team (DRE)
- Communications Action Team (CAT)
CAT was originally created because the CYPT had no dedicated Communications staff. It was a group of communications professionals from CYPT member organizations who advised and did communications work for the CYPT. After the CYPT Communications Coordinator position was created, CAT evolved into a space focused on networking, sharing updates, and professional development.
In Summer 2024, a very similar group to CAT began forming in the community called REACH. They are a community of practice for communications professionals working in the non-profit space. Their meetings are structured the same as our CAT meetings have been – with community updates, networking, and professional development.
With the new 2024-2027 CYPT Strategic Plan, and the formation of the REACH Communications Group in the community, the CYPT’s Communications Action Team is shifting its focus. CAT will become more action oriented – with the goal of producing work for the CYPT and contributing to the CYPT’s Knowledge Mobilization and Influence efforts. Please stay tuned for updates about what that will look like and how you can get involved.
At this time, Stacey McCormick, the previous Co-Chair of the CAT group, will be stepping out of the role. We would like to send her a huge thank you for all the work she’s done over the years with CAT! Stacey will remain on the CYPT Steering Committee as she is the Co-Chair of CYPT’s Early Years Community of Practice.