Youth Program Quality Assessment
The Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) tool is designed to assess the quality of youth programs for the purposes of accountability, evaluation, and program improvement. Through both external assessments and self assessments, the YPQA tool aims to build systems and habits that create lasting positive change in quality at the point of service-the place where adults, youth, and resources come together. The tool focuses on improving the physical, psychological and emotional safety of youth’s environment, and strongly encourages an increase in the frequency and quality of youth interaction and engagement.
Why use the YPQA?
- Better youth outcomes
- Evidence based assessment tool
- Staff feel better equipped to handle their work
- Staff feel more engaged in the agency
- Reduced staff turnover
- Helps in strategic planning
- Generate measureable performance indicators
- Helps evaluate how you can better achieve your outcomes
- Helps to develop employee performance measures
Sources: Youth PQA, High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
