Action Groups

Work of the Council will be conducted through the utilization of time-limited action groups.   Action groups will be struck on an “as needed basis” and will reflect the priorities of the community.

A council member will chair each action group and will be responsible for reporting to the Council.  Action Groups will provide recommendations to the Council and operate under the direction of the Council.

Membership on the action groups should include at least one other Council member, and members of the SPA and community members at large that have particular interest or expertise in the identified area.

Previously the working groups of the SPA were called Task Groups and focused on enhancing the knowledge of stakeholders in the following areas:

• Parent Engagement
• Service Inventory and Gaps
• Connecting Youth to Schools and Services
• Professional Development for Service Providers

As a result of the work conducted by the Service Inventory and Gaps Task Group, the SPA Leadership Council identified 3 priority areas as next areas of focus for the Strategic Planning Alliance.  On October 26, Community Partners listened to family members as they talked about their challenges and successes in navigating the Durham Region service system.  Participants then engaged in discussions about actions that could be taken to address the 3 priority areas.  Out of these discussions, three new Action Groups were struck.  Each Action Group will work to introduce a strategy to address the issues faced by our community in that area.  The Action Groups are:

• Stigma
• Communication and Engagement
• Barriers/Accessibility to Service

For more information on the work of the Action Groups or to join a group, please send an email to