The path to success doesn’t stop
when the bell rings.
Many of us have fond memories of summer camps or after-school programs. That special place or person who helped us learn, grow and expand our thinking during periods when we weren’t in school. United Way’s Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI) program provides research-based training to help these programs be as good as they can possibly be.
Out-of-school time programs like camps and after-school activities play a key role in helping young people stay engaged in middle school and on track to graduate high school on time. Our YPQI program offers a research-based approach to training and development for the people who run these important programs.
YPQI Program Features
We conduct quality assessments for programs to help them identify strengths and weaknesses
We help create improvement plans that create a path for programs to address growth areas.
We provide individualized coaching to help staff execute on their improvement plan.
We offer trainings for youth workers and program managers.
In 2009, a needs assessment of youth program staff in the Richmond area indicated the need for increased training and development opportunities to improve the overall quality of out-of-school time programs like summer camps and after school programs. United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg responded to this need by convening local leaders and implementing a quality improvement process for youth-serving programs in our area. In the years ahead, this effort incorporated research on quality improvement programs and assessment tools.
Youth Program Quality Intervention came to the Greater Richmond region in 2012 with initial support from the Forum for Youth Investment and in partnership with Hanover County Youth Services. Since 2012, Richmond YPQI has grown from five participating programs to 51 in the 2019-2020 cohort. The program was delivered in partnership with VCU’s Mary and Frances Youth Center for eight years beginning in 2012.
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg assumed full responsibility for the operation of Richmond YPQI in 2020.
Contact Us
Get more information about Richmond YPQI from United Way’s Frank Cardella.