Now is the Time to Commit to Quality
Creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive begins with a commitment to quality. Decades of research affirm what practitioners innately know: the quality of relationships and experiences in youth programs shapes learning and development. High-quality programs foster positive youth development, support critical skill-building, and cultivate a sense of belonging—creating environments where young people can learn, grow, and lead.
As highlighted in our recent blog post, “Now’s the Time to Commit to Quality,” the importance of high-quality programs remains as critical as ever. By prioritizing quality, youth-serving organizations can adapt to meet the evolving challenges young people face, ensuring that every interaction and opportunity is meaningful and impactful.
Key Benefits of Quality Improvement:
- Clear, evidence-based standards for effective practice
- Better alignment among staff, stakeholders, and participants
- Environments where both youth and adults can grow together
Prioritizing program quality is always essential—because every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Tools for Measuring and Improving Quality
Discover research-validated tools from the Weikart Center:
- Program Quality Assessments (PQA): Identify strengths and areas for improvement in program facilitation.
- Customizable Research and Evaluation Services: Tailored support to help youth-serving organizations collect and analyze data to improve programs and share impactful stories.
- Training Workshops: Designed to help you understand the YPQI approach and how to apply it effectively in your programs.
Featured Resources
Dive deeper into program quality through stories, insights, and thought leadership.
Catch up on our Commit to Quality blog series:
- Now’s The Time to Commit to Quality
- Why Measuring Quality in Youth Programs Matters: Insights on Defining, Evaluating, and Strengthening Impact
- Creating a Shared Vision for Quality: Getting Started with Alexandria Beyond the Classroom
- Redefining Quality: How BGCA has Scaled a Nationwide Quality Improvement System
Get Involved
Join the movement to share the impact of program quality:
- Subscribe to our newsletter for insights, resources, and campaign updates.
- Follow us on LinkedIn to see the latest stories and tools in action.
- Commit to Quality: Explore how your program can benefit from the YPQI approach or download our social media kit for program leaders to help us spread the word.