Communications - Our Point of View

It’s important to share our communications plan with you - the front line for our message. Read about our upcoming communications tools and find out about sharing the science and opening minds.

Situation:

In beginning the communications consulting process we needed to start with identifying the current situation of Canada’s children’s language and literacy development.

We identified:

• that the issues surrounding literacy and language deficiencies are serious in Canada and have far-reaching effects, and the problems begin during the early stages of childhood and stem from a variety of factors that are medical, s ocial, cultural and environmental in nature.

We also identified obstacles that may exist in Canada. We found:

• that there was not a central, bias-free forum for the free exchange of ideas, training, education, feedback and knowledge dissemination that pertained specifically to both language and literacy development.
• and that language and literacy is not typically treated as an integrated scientific or medical issue, and therefore d oesn’t generate evidence-based implementation.

Our communications plan will begin to address these issues and others in the hope that progress is made in disseminating our Network’s research to those who need our help.

Purpose & Position Statements:

To establish the role of the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network, we have developed purpose and positioning statements for the organization.

The Purpose: The Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network will generate, integrate and disseminate scientific research and knowledge to improve and sustain children's language and literacy development in Canada.

The Position: The Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network is the primary professional forum and Canadian source of bias-free, accessbile and multi-disciplinary science on the subject of children's language and literacy development.

Communication Theme:

This series of words captures both the key activity (sharing) and the result (science) of the Network. Opening minds is applicable to all stakeholders including the children we serve.

Communication Plan Objectives:

• Create a clear message on the topic of children's language and literacy development from a scientific point of view
• Create a communications environment that proves knowledge can be shared and that the results of sharing have a positive impact on the issue.
• Use communications to change how service providers, agencies, academic institutions and educators think about solving language and literacy issues.
• Make the results of the Network's science available and easy to use for all primary service providers; empower them through communications access.

Communication Tools:

The Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network will mainly operate in an interactive electronic environment. This facilitates sharing information between the different language and literacy disciplines. It will be easy to use and contain valuable information. You'll want to visit www.cllrnet.ca often. We will let you know when our new site is "live".

Other tools currently in production include:

• Poster/Mailers (January distribution by mail)
• E-Newsletter
• Annual Report
• Presentation Folders
• Presentation Templates