Organizational Capacity Building

A designated legal entity is responsible for the governance of CYAC operations.

Activities

Organizational capacity building covers three areas: governance and operations, training, and public awareness. CYAC activities or elements that contribute to organizational capacity building may include: 

Governance and operations

  • Formalized agreements between multidisciplinary partners
  • Defined roles and responsibilities for MDT and CYAC staff roles, responsibilities, information sharing parameters, decision-making processes, and oversight
  • Physical space is conducive to building team relationships
  • Regular opportunities are provided for MDT and CYAC staff to provide feedback on procedures and operations
  • The service delivery model is responsive to community, cultural, and regional contexts

Training

  • Policies and procedures implemented that outline required trainings
  • New staff receive onboarding and a minimum set of trainings as part of orientation
  • The MDT is engaged in joint training and development opportunities
  • Team members mentor each other 

Public awareness

  • Community education and awareness on issues of child abuse
  • Training and presentations for community members and organizations on child abuse reporting requirements 

For more information on organizational capacity building in CYACs, see the guideline and key components here.

CYAC Guidelines

More details and information

Outputs

The activities and elements at your CYAC will determine what outputs you track related to organizational capacity building.

Governance and operations

  • # of partners in MDT
  • Agreement on shared visions and values for CYAC
  • Presence of formalized agreement between all partners (e.g., MOU)
  • Implementation policies and procedures for administrative operations 
  • Implementation of an annual MDT survey 

Training

  • The MDT is recognized as a highly skilled and specialized team 
  • MDT and CYAC staff apply knowledge learned to ensure services are accessible and tailored to the needs of children, youth, and families
  • MDT and CYAC staff feel equipped to cope with vicarious trauma

Public awareness

  • Community members are aware of the CYAC existence and purposed 
  • Community members are aware of child abuse reporting requirements and responsibilities

Organizational Outcomes 

Organizational capacity building within the CYAC model contributes to a coordinated and multi-system response to child abuse. Ways to know how organizational capacity building activities and elements contribute to the CYAC response are highlighted below.

Governance and operations

  • MDT, CYC staff, and leadership understand each other’s role, mandate, and lens
  • MDT, CYAC staff, and leadership value each other’s perspectives
  • MDT and CYAC staff appropriately share information for collaborative and trauma-informed service delivery
  • MDT and CYAC staff participate in health conflict resolution 

Training

  • The MDT is recognized as a highly skilled and specialized team 
  • MDT and CYAC staff apply knowledge learned to ensure services are accessible and tailored to the needs of children, youth, and families
  • MDT and CYAC staff feel equipped to cope with vicarious trauma

Public awareness

  • Community members are aware of the CYAC existence and purposed 
  • Community members are aware of child abuse reporting requirements and responsibilities

Data Collection Practices

Data collection practices need to reflect your local operational and community context. You may already have tools in place to track these outputs and outcomes, or have tools that can be adapted to reflect these outputs and outcomes. If you need support in enhancing your data collection practices, please connect with us.

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