Our focus on innovation and research is driven by the mission of the Durham Region Strategic Plan 2015 - 2019.
"Meeting the current and future needs of the Durham community through leadership, co-operation, innovation and service excellence."
One of our corporate values is continuous improvement, where innovation and research is purpose driven and integrated in our business solutions. We seek opportunities to collaborate with government agencies, the private sector and academic institutions.
Our journey in innovation and research has led to developing a corporate culture of team work and empowerment, where employees are encouraged to learn new approaches and leverage the latest tools in problem solving.
Our Innovation and Research Unit is a recognized leader in the development and implementation of new innovative practices, and many program areas focus on innovation and research within their own departments to promote improvements in service delivery.
| Featured Initiatives |
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As an organization, we take a collaborative approach to innovation by working across all departments to increase the capacity of innovation through training. This proven leadership training includes:
- LEAN - A methodology that looks at maximizing customer value while reducing waste.
- Six Sigma - A set of processes that helps improve business performance.
- Juice Inc. - A structured innovation process that enables proactive solutions.
- Human Centred Design - A facilitated innovation process that enables the design of new solutions based on stakeholder experience.
Contact our Innovation and Research Unit by email at Innovate@durham.ca to learn about our different innovation and research activities, such as:
- Community collaborations
- Global best practices
- Innovation projects underway
- Local and global networks and partners
- Research projects underway
| LEAP to Durham |
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Our Social Services Department has partnered with Durham College and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) to give young parents access to post-secondary education through the Learning, Earning and Parenting Program (LEAP).
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| Giving children and families the best start |
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Durham Best Start Research and Knowledge Mobilization Sub-committee is a creative space that brings local researchers and service providers together. This collaboration improves services in Durham Region by turning research into practice.
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| Innovation labs |
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Innovation labs are creative spaces that promote information sharing, collaboration, and co-creation of new ideas and solutions.
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| At Home In Durham |
| The Housing Services Division keeps statistics on community trends and program use to identify future needs and measure progress on the goals of At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024. |
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