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Stay up to date on important initiatives and projects impacting Ontario's child and youth mental health and addictions sector with our electronic newsletter, Bright Spots.

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Announcing the 2025 Innovation Initiatives Grantees

Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 09:10 AM

Announcing the 2025 Innovation Initiatives Grantees

We’re thrilled to announce the five new projects selected for the 2025 Innovation Initiatives grant—each one rooted in community, equity, and a bold commitment to transforming child and youth mental health in Ontario.

This year, we asked agencies to implement and evaluate culturally responsive programs that address the needs of children, youth, and families impacted by systemic inequities. The response from the sector was powerful, and the five...

Quest cohort program update

Posted on Friday, February 21, 2025 09:13 AM

Quest cohort program update

As we kick off 2025 with our seven Quest Cohort 4 agencies, we are excited to continue to work through their quality improvement (QI) journey with them. Following the Lean Six Sigma methodology, they are progressing through the different stages of the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) with support from their coaches. Most of the project teams have entered the ‘Improve’ phase of their projects.

The Improve phase is where the ‘fun’ begins! This...

Quest update and QI 101

Posted on Monday, October 28, 2024 01:53 PM

Quest update and QI 101

This past June, seven agencies embarked on their quality improvement (QI) journey with Quest as part of cohort 4 of the Quality Improvement (QI) cohort program. Guided by their coaches, these teams are building their capacity for QI through the Lean Six Sigma methodology and progressing through the different stages of the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control).

The journey began with a series of Lean Six Sigma White Belt training sessions to provide...

Empower your vision with the help of our new implementation toolkit

Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 08:00 AM

Empower your vision with the help of our new implementation toolkit

Our team is thrilled to unveil the latest edition of our implementation toolkit!

Over a decade since its original release, the updated toolkit was purpose built to help agencies and organizations in the mental health and addictions sector navigate change with confidence. The toolkit features the latest available evidence and is informed from our own experiences planning, doing, and sustaining implementation in the child and youth mental health...

The Knowledge Institute announces new executive director Nicholas Watters

Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 10:53 AM

The Knowledge Institute announces new executive director

We are pleased to announce that Nicholas Watters has been named executive director for the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions, effective October 8, 2024.

Nicholas was previously the Director, Innovation at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).

During his 13-year tenure at MHCC, he led multiple portfolios aimed at ensuring that those living in Canada have access to equitable, culturally safe,...