A national research collaboration, led by the Evaluation Capacity Network at the University of Alberta, to develop community-driven and culturally relevant approaches for producing and using evidence to improve early childhood practice, programs, and policy toward system effectiveness. 

This project developed a strategy to strengthen Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations through supporting university students from Northern communities to successfully graduate and return home to help meet their community’s labour market needs.

The Circle of Lifelong Learning Camp (CLL) was evaluated using surveys, focus groups, and sharing circles. The evaluation was funded by the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre at St. Paul’s University College.

CCBR worked with St Paul’s University College and the Keewatin Patricia District School Board to develop an Indigenous mentorship model, connecting Indigenous high school students living in Kenora/Dryden with Indigenous post-secondary students/alumni at the University of Waterloo. This work was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

CCBR conducted a needs assessment and action plan for a Family Healing Centre and Land-Based Healing services operated by the Shibogama Health Authority.

The purpose of the needs assessment was to understand and assess the housing and accommodation needs of people in Thunder Bay who use substances, and to develop a community plan to address the needs identified. The needs assessment was funded by City of Thunder Bay.

CCBR worked with CAMH in three communities (Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo and Timmins/Cochrane) to identify, review, and synthesize existing information about mental health system gaps within each community related to transition. The assessment was funded by Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH).

CCBR was asked to provide ‘snapshots’ of systemic barriers that diverse communities face in accessing Region of Waterloo's services and programs. Interviews were done with individuals representing nine diverse groups: immigrants and refugees, LGBT folks (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender), people living with disabilities, Indigenous people, people living in poverty, rural residents, seniors, youth, and women.

CCBR worked with UW D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S, a post-secondary information and career readiness conference for Indigenous Youth across Ontario sponsored by St. Paul’s University College. CCBR’s mandate was to: strengthen conference tracking, engage Indigenous youth who participate in the conference, and evaluate its effectiveness.

CCBR developed an evaluation framework for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Toronto Elm Centre, a 300-unit supportive housing complex for low-income women and their families, for women living with mental health and addiction issues, and for families of Indigenous ancestry. CCBR conducted an evaluation of an innovative staff training and capacity building initiative to support the implementation of services within the Elm Centre.

CCBR supported an evaluation of the tri-district Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence initiative in four school boards in Cochrane North, Cochrane South, and Timiskaming. CCBR completed analysis of the data collected from year one to three and produced a final report which included recommendations for improving the program and future evaluation activities. This evaluation was funded by Child & Family Services Timmins & District.

In this SSHRC-funded project, CCBR worked with Tikanagan Child and Family Services to build internal research capacity and develop a long-term research agenda.