Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative
Vision: Children and youth in our communities are thriving. They are served by a well informed, responsive and effective community of organizations.
Mission: The collaborative provides leadership and collaboration to enable optimal development and healthy living for Lanark County children, youth and their families.
Priorities/Values
- Information Sharing
- Collaboration and Planning
- Community Education and Advocacy
*Diversity and inclusion included in everything we do.
The geographic community of Lanark County includes both the rural areas and town centres that make up the County of Lanark, including the separated Town of Smiths Falls.
The Lanark County Planning Council for Children, Youth and Families came into existence in 2007. The Council became known as the Lanark County Child and Youth Collaborative in 2019.
The Collaborative meets on a monthly basis.
The membership of this Collaborative includes organizations and agencies in Lanark County that provide services to children, youth and their families. The majority of members are senior management, executive directors, networks or people appointed by agencies. There is representation from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
The Collaborative is supported in their work by a community coordinator who is funded through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. There are other such planning groups in South Eastern Ontario and the coordinators meet regularly to share ideas and issues of common interest.
Any questions??
Please contact
Sharon Halladay, Lanark County Collaborative Coordinator
Co-Chairs Kevin Clouthier and Sue Poldervaart cut cake at our March 2019 meeting to reveal our new name: Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative.
Collaborative members have created a wordle that lays out what we feel children in Lanark County need to thrive. It will serve as a reminder for our work at each meeting.
Black Lives Matter
The Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative supports the BLM movement. As a collaborative we recognize the need to make change, educate and do our own learning. We understand the intersections related to poverty, access, equity and systemic barriers. We will remain active in being a part of local change.
I Pledge Challenge
Developmental Asset Awards 2025
Lanark County Asset Builders for youth
celebrated Eight “Asset Builders” were recognized at the Lanark County Council meeting on June 25 for the work they do to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth. This year marked the first time the Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative (LCCYSC) recognized and celebrated community asset builders. Inspired by the well-established model from the Every Kid in Our Communities Coalition of Leeds and Grenville, the collaborative honoured individuals, organizations and businesses across Lanark County who contribute
positively to the well-being of young people in our communities. Eight recipients were selected through a public nomination process.
“These asset builders help to shape our community by showing interest, investing time, inspiring and providing support to children and youth,” explained Tawnya Boileau, representative of LCCYSC. “They give them a voice, introduce them to new ideas and experiences, and advocate for them.”
The 2025 Asset Builders for Lanark County include:
• Almonte Civitan
• Gary Lackey
• Heidi Sinnett
• Jody Dixon
• Lanark County Community Justice
• Maybe Silvan
• Port Elmsley Karate Jutsu
• Tracy Staples
The Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework identifies assets as positive experiences, skills, opportunities, qualities and values children need to succeed. This can include external assets, such as support, empowerment, boundaries/expectations and constructive use of time, as well as internal ones, such as commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies and positive identity.“The more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of highrisk behaviours and the more likely they are to thrive,” she said. “Assets are best provided through relationships with caring, responsible people – both adults and young people themselves.”
LCCYSC encourages residents to take part in the “Start with Hello” initiative to keep the spirit of asset building alive. The idea is simple but impactful: greet a young person and, when possible, build a caring, supportive relationship. These everyday connections can create communities where children and youth feel a strong sense of belonging, are supported by caring adults and know they are valued.
“Today we honour the asset builders who have dedicated their time, resources and energy to making a difference in the lives of children and youth,” Boileau said. “Your work does not go unnoticed.”
Learn more about the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework at https://searchinstitute.org/developmental-relationships. For more information about EKIOC, and how you can get involved, visit www.everykid.on.ca. Presentation photos will be posted on the site.
For more information/media interviews, contact:
Sharon Halladay
Community Coordinator
Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative
shalladay@opendoors.on.ca
Tawnya Boileau
Member
Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative
613-345-5685 ext. 2226
E-mail: tawnya.boileau@healthunit.org
Photo caption: Eight Lanark County organizations and individuals were recognized as 2025 Asset Builders by the Lanark County Child and Youth Services Collaborative at the Lanark County Council meeting held on June 25, including Lanark County Community Justice, Jody Dixon, Heidi Sinnett, Gary Lackey, Port Elmsley Karate Jutsu, Maybe Silvan, Tracey Staples and Almonte Civitan.
