It takes a village: Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region2 min read

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Around the Region showcases the work of community partners. For November, we highlight the Children and Youth Planning Table, which works to create a community where children and youth can be happy and healthy.

Written by: Stu Gooden, Region of Waterloo

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. In Waterloo Region, the village is mobilizing to create a place where children and youth can be happy and healthy.

Since 2011, the Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) has been working to improve the well-being of children and youth in Waterloo Region. Currently, more than 60 organizations and 800 adults and young people work together to make this happen.

A key partner is the Region of Waterloo. The Region hosts the CYPT at 150 Frederick St. and the majority of the staff team. Several Regional staff members sit at the Table, and they work together with other partners to coordinate community-wide efforts to address child and youth well-being. Other partners include UNICEF Canada, local service providers, researchers, planning bodies and funders serving young people and families in the community.

Since 2019, most of the work has been related to belonging, specifically in the areas of equity, attachment and relationships, and children and youth feeling valued, heard and included. 

The Children and Youth Planning Table administers the largest multi-dimensional survey in Waterloo Region to hear first-hand from young people about their well-being. Results are coming soon from more than 1000 youth age nine to 18 who participated, and CYPT will be leading community action-planning from the data from the 2021 Youth Impact Survey.

The CYPT is also a key partner in Smart Waterloo Region, a project that’s supported by the Region of Waterloo along with the seven area municipalities that’s stimulating innovation and bridging supports from technology and data to address child and youth well-being.

It’s been an unusual time for everyone over the past 20 months. COVID-19 has shown that well-being matters now, more than ever. CYPT partners work together to make it easier to find help. Visit Family Compass, the go-to website to find services, supports and COVID-19 resources for children, youth and families.

For more information about the Children and Youth Planning Table, visit their website or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.