CII Partners

The national Community Inclusion Initiative is a partnership between the Canadian Association for Community Living, People First of Canada, provincial and territorial Associations for Community Living and People First chapters. The funding partner for the initiative is the federal government of Canada, via Human Resources Skills Development Canada.

The Community Inclusion Initiative continues the unique model of partnership building among and between diverse organizations at the national, p/t and local levels. While the national project is led by CACL, much of the activities that occur are developed, delivered and participated in by a variety of different partner groups and/or agencies. The process is very collaborative in nature and is in direct response to and supplemental to efforts and challenges encountered at either the national or PT level (often times both). National partnerships are created to assist in advancing / supplementing efforts in various areas at the PT level. For example, national partnerships formed in the area of deinstitutionalization assist in the identification and dissemination of research and best practices that exist both nationally and internationally. These partnerships may engage in hosting events to which PT CI representatives are invited. Representatives of the national partners also attend and support local events thus providing national exposure and support for these local initiatives.

Specific project partners at the national level vary depending on the sector priority area and include, in addition to the primary CI national partners indicated above, other national disability organizations, community organizations dedicated to promoting social and community inclusion, and federal government representatives. Advancements are made through the use of both ‘partnerships’ and ‘coalitions’ depending on the priority area and the issue being pursued.

Project partners are involved in the following ways:

• As participants at national CI partners meetings, Sector Forums, and Sector Strategy Tables
• In assisting with the identification and sharing of sector based best practices and strategic directions for ongoing and future systems change.
• As participants in the development and implementation of strategies to enhance capacities of community systems within the identified priority areas
• As recipients and sharers of information and knowledge based on the learning and best practices arising from the project.

At a provincial and territorial level, projects are also delivered in partnership with a variety of community and government partners. As each PT undertakes activities within each of its identified priority areas, such activities are invariably undertaken in conjunction with other organizations that are involved and interested in affecting systems change within that priority area. In any one fiscal year the CI initiative may be involved in as many as 150 local, provincial and national partnerships.