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table of contents
Youth Program Quality Intervention 2
Introduction 5
Foundational Theories 8
Current Research 10
Guiding Principles 12
Promote Safety 15
Provide Positive Supports 23
Create Opportunities to Learn 31
Create Opportunities to Lead 39
Youth Work Methods Series 47
2 | Send any comments about this guidebook or Method to: [email protected]
the youth program quality interventionThe Youth Work Methods are a key part of the Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI). The YPQI is
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and improvement.
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set out to understand if the YPQI could improve the
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implementation of continuous improvement
practices leads to higher quality. At afterschool
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instruction improved both overall and in those
areas that site teams targeted for improvement.
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continuous improvement practices may reduce
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afterschool systems and policies. Sites
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system funded by a state human service agency.
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quality improvement. The improvements set in
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after the intervention ended.
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6 | Send any comments about this guidebook or Method to: [email protected]
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of a learning setting make a big difference in the
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Weikart Center research that the quality of settings
can be greatly improved by supporting staff to carry
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and youth. The approach is designed to organize
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and supported by current research on learning and
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Work Methods emphasize a skill or set of skills based
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children and youth. The guide focuses primarily
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Young people can thrive when they feel safe and supported to learn and lead.
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The Approach is rooted in the Positive Youth
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(a) youth have capacity to be positive assets in
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1 For timeline, see www.cypq.org/about/history
2 Also see: Pittman, K. J. & Wright, M. (1991). Bridging the Gap:
A Rationale for Enhancing the Role of Community Organizations in
Promoting Youth Development. Washington, DC: Center for Youth
Development and Policy Research.
The David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality is a division of the Forum for Youth Investment !"#$%&'()*+",-.,"/$'01"2$'"3$0+*"45678+175+"9":;;"<()*+8"<787'67="9">>>?@&%A?$')"B"7
Young people can thrive when they...
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and supported
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be a primary strength of youth programs. Providing positive
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can do.
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and leadership roles in youth programs.
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Promote Safety Provide Positive Supports Create Opportunities to Learn Create Opportunities to Lead
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» Connections with the Youth Work Methods:"[!#/";$(&/"E$,F"G.&/$1"')"!"+!,&"$3"&/."@#&'-.4" " "
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most relevant Methods.
» Connections to Youth Program Quality Assessment (Youth PQA): The scales indicated in each section
provide quality standards that measure the application of each principle for programs that serve youth
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» Connections to School Age Program Quality Assessment (School-Age PQA): The scales indicated in
each section provide quality standards that measure the application of each principle for programs that
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