CAMCRY: An Innovation in Collaborative Program Development

The CAMCRY (Creation and Mobilization of Counselling Resources for Youth) initiative was created in response to the large numbers of young people in need of career development assistance in Canada during the late 1980s. These groups included out-of-school youth, youth with special needs, underemployed youth, youth at risk of leaving school, and those in school without a sense of career/life direction. CAMCRY included 41 distinct projects at 18 colleges and universities across Canada, each project meeting numerous criteria: 50-50 funding (half from government and half from elsewhere), innovation, practicality, emphasis on young people, and containing rigorous field test and evaluation components. Some projects targeted professionals who work with youth, while the majority focused on youth themselves. Organizers learned that: (1) Collaboration (both in planning and operation) takes significant time; (2) Marketing is important; (3) Field test data are important but are not enough; and (4) Advisory committees can be helpful. Several elements are discussed which would enhance the initiative were it possible to do again. These elements include: (1) building a solid vision statement early to focus the advisory committee and provide cohesive direction to the projects; (2) building into the master plan ample time for implementation and mobilization; (3) recognizing that a training program is as important as the program for youth; (4) recognizing that consultants are necessary in program development; (5) providing ample support for evaluation; and (6) planning and budgeting for "spin off" events. (RB)