Redefining Quality: How BGCA has Scaled a Nationwide Quality Improvement System
February 4, 2025
What does it take to deliver consistent, meaningful outcomes for young people in every corner of the country? For Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the answer lies in a redefinition of program quality that shifts the focus from isolated interventions to an integrated systems approach. Through this lens, quality isn’t just what happens in the moment between staff and youth; it’s the foundation that ensures those moments are impactful, sustainable, and transformative.
“Previously, program quality was primarily about frontline youth development professionals—what trainings they had, what practices they implemented, and how youth experienced programs,” says Anna Kawar, BGCA’s National Director for Quality Improvement. “Now, we’ve expanded our focus. We ask, ‘What can we put in place across the organization to ensure frontline staff always have what they need to deliver high-quality programming?’”
This philosophy drives BGCA’s efforts to scale program quality across their network of more than 1,000 Boys & Girls Club organizations and 5,500 club sites, serving millions of young people nationwide.
The Architecture of Quality
BGCA’s quality framework is intentionally broad yet deeply strategic. At its foundation is the Blueprint for Youth Impact, which identifies the organizational levers that drive quality across an entire Boys & Girls Club (BGC) organization. Layered on top of this is the Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI), a suite of evidence-based tools and practices that help staff refine their day-to-day practices at work. Finally, the Youth Impact Network offers an intensive, 18-month deep dive for select BGC organizations to embed these practices at every level and across every club site.
“We think of it as a pyramid,” Kawar explains. “The Blueprint establishes a strong foundation, YPQI equips staff with the tools to improve practices, and the Youth Impact Network provides an immersive experience to push the boundaries of what quality can look like.”
This multi-tiered approach ensures that quality is scalable, adaptable, and inclusive of the diverse contexts in which Boys & Girls Clubs operate. By aligning tools, training, and support across all levels, BGCA empowers each club site to turn their vision for youth impact into reality.
Quality as a System, Not a Checklist
One of the most significant shifts in BGCA’s approach has been redefining quality as a system-wide commitment, rather than a series of isolated activities. Kawar stresses that this mindset is critical for lasting change.
“Quality isn’t a training or an assessment—it’s a systems approach,” she says. “It’s about aligning everything, from your board to your budgeting, to ensure that youth outcomes are prioritized and protected, no matter what challenges arise.”
This focus on systems thinking has led to creative solutions. During one site visit to an organization, it was revealed that the majority of Club Directors’ time was consumed by grant administration—a surprising barrier to their ability to support staff and youth. In response, the organizational leadership implemented a centralized grant management system, freeing directors to focus on program quality and staff development.
“The barriers to quality aren’t always what you’d expect,” Kawar reflects. “But when you take a systems approach, you can uncover and address these obstacles in ways that have a ripple effect across the organization.”
Data-Driven Creativity
BGCA has also embraced innovation in how BGC organizations collect and use data to improve program quality. At one organization, staff introduced QR codes in program spaces to track youth engagement in real time. By recording how many participants stayed engaged throughout an activity, they gained valuable insights into what programs were most effective—and where adjustments were needed.
“This simple, creative approach to data collection allows clubs to go deeper into understanding what works,” Kawar shares. “It’s not just about counting how many kids participated—it’s about making sure their experiences are meaningful.”
Overcoming Challenges with Clarity and Commitment
While the progress is inspiring, Kawar acknowledges the challenges that come with prioritizing program quality. High staff turnover, resource constraints, and a lack of strategic alignment are persistent hurdles.
“The question every leader must answer is, ‘What promise are we making to youth and communities, and how will we know if we’re successful?’” Kawar emphasizes. “Without clarity on this north star, it’s easy to lose focus and make decisions that don’t align with your goals.”
BGCA addresses these challenges head-on by supporting BGC organizations to embed systems that preserve institutional knowledge, standardize tools and practices, and create scalable solutions that work across urban, suburban, and rural clubs.
Building a Movement, One Club at a Time
For Kawar, the key to scaling program quality lies in building momentum. “When early adopters see the benefits of a systems approach, they become champions for change,” she says. “Their success inspires others to take the leap, and that’s how a movement grows.”
This sentiment is echoed by Matt Sinclair, Senior Vice President of Operations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Texas, who reflects on his organization’s experience in BGCA’s quality improvement network:
“Our experience in the Youth Impact Network has been one of learning, of engagement, of being able to take meaningful tools from our experience in that space and apply them in our organization to create significant scaled impact across multiple locations and the organization itself. I think the more that BGCA can continue to support local organizations in this work, the more we’re going to drive success across the Movement.”
At its core, BGCA’s work is about delivering on a promise to create environments where young people are safe and supported, and gain the skills to achieve their full potential. By anchoring this promise in systems, BGCA is proving that program quality is more than a concept; it’s a commitment to the future of every young person they serve.
“Quality isn’t just about doing the work—it’s about making sure the work is meaningful, sustainable, and impactful,” Kawar concludes, emphasizing BGCA’s commitment to delivering high-quality programming for every member across every club site.
This is the fourth blog in our Commit to Quality series. Miss one? Catch up here.
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