What is it.
This discussion paper describes the development of Kindex (formally, Canadian Child and Youth Advocacy Research and Knowledge Centre), a community-academic partnership to support and further the evidence-base around child abuse and CYAC practices. This discussion paper explores the need for a multidisciplinary response to child abuse and the benefit of such a response. With the expansion of the CYAC model across Canada, there is an urgency to develop a forum for coordinated knowledge production and dissemination that can inform practice and policy development for CYACs. The article describes the step by step co-design process through which Kindex was developed, including: exploratory interviews with practice and academic leaders in the field; establishing and engaging practice and research advisory committees, participatory workshops to identify the form and function of Kindex, and finally, a symposium with advisors to finalize the form and function as identified in previous steps. This paper describes the four guiding principles of Kindex, co-developed with advisors. Finally, this paper describes the three priority areas and four research pillars of Kindex.
How can it help me?
Community-academic partnerships can be especially supportive for building the research and knowledge translation capacity of CYACs to ensure timely, robust information is used and shared. This article can support those interested in understanding (and potentially developing) these types of partnerships. This paper describes the processes involved in developing priority areas and research pillars and can help CYAC partners in understanding the current environment and context within Canada. For CYACs and academics looking to begin (or expand) partnerships, this discussion paper can be a helpful example of guiding principles and processes that have worked to build a successful partnership.