Richmond YPQI
Improve the Quality of Youth Programs
Richmond Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI) is a nine-month continuous improvement process that includes:
- self and external assessments of program quality
- site-level improvement planning
- individualized coaching visits
- skill-building trainings for youth workers and program managers
Currently, 56 sites across the Greater Richmond & Petersburg region are participating in YPQI, to improve program safety, instructional quality, youth engagement, and youth empowerment.
Nadia Gooray, Executive Director – Project Yoga Richmond
Richmond YPQI History
A 2009 needs assessment of youth program staff in metro Richmond indicated the need for a quality improvement process, and identified United Way as the convener and implementer of a continuous quality improvement program. Research on quality improvement programs and assessment tools led to the selection of the YPQI and with initial support from the Forum for Youth Investment; YPQI came to the Greater Richmond Region in January 2012, as a partnership with Hanover County Youth Services. Since 2012, Richmond YPQI has grown from 5 participating programs to 45 in the 2016-2017 cohort.
Currently the program is delivered in partnership with VCU’s Mary and Frances Youth Center including leadership, shared staffing and use of the facilities for training.
For more information, contact Frank Cardella (cardellaf@yourunitedway.org) or Charles Johnson (cwjohnson@vcu.edu).
The Pyramid of Youth Program Quality
There are Four Key building blocks which shape the curriculum, assessment, trainings and ideals of YPQI:
- Safe environment: Physical safety, emotional safety and inclusive practices.
- Supportive Environment: Supportive environment through welcoming, conflict resolution, active learning, encouragement and skill-building.
- Interaction: Interaction through cooperative learning and leadership opportunities.
- Engagement: Higher order engagement through choice, planning and reflection.