Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in YPQI?

Sites involved in YPQI demonstrate the diversity of OST time programs across our region, from large multi-site afterschool or community-based organizations to small, single-site community or faith-based organizations. Some programs operate year-round while other programs work with a small number of students for half a year. Youth Service Councils that meet with youth once a month have also participated in YPQI. The main requirement is the program provides consistent services to youth (grades K-12) during non-school hours.

Is there a fee?

Yes, we have a shared investment model, offering sites the option between two packages. Richmond YPQI Packages (PDF) range from $500-650 and are based on the services provided. The fee helps offset the cost of supplies, trainers, assessors, coaches, and coordination expenses. Richmond YPQI invests approximately 85% of the fee for each site in an effort to make the process obtainable for all organizations.

How much time is required?

The YPQI site lead is the person at each site who will be responsible for attending all of the YPQI trainings, leading the assessment process and creating the improvement plan. The site lead will gneerally spend approximately 33 horus through the year on the process. At least two additional staff will participate by conducting a self-assessment using the PQA tool, attending the team meeting and assisting in the improvement planning. Those staff members will spend a combined total of 35 hours throughout the year. These numbers may decrease in subsequent years as the team becomes accustomed to the continuous quality improvement process and less training is required.

Do I have to participate in all of the trainings, or can I just come to some of them?

Programs must commit to participate in the full YPQI program which includes attending core trainings and professional development (Basics, Planning with Data, Methods trainings, and End of the Year Celebration).

Optional trainings may be available depending on need and interest. These may include external assessor training (two-day training the first year and one-day refresher training in subsequent years), Methods Training of Trainers, Methods 2.0, and topical workshops.

Who should come to the trainings?

Each site (and an organization may have multiple sites) should designate one person to serve as the site lead who attends all of the core trainings (Basics, Planning with Data, Reflection Celebration). The site lead is usually a site manager, supervisor, or director, but could be anyone at the site. It is important that this person has sufficient time to coordinate the process and attend all trainings. While the site lead is the primary person who will attend all of the trainings, each site is encouraged to bring other staff members to the trainings in accordance with their packages, in order to help facilitate the YPQI process. The Methods trainings are a great opportunity to involve other staff members because of their short duration.

Please refer to our attendance policy (PDF) regarding training attendance and the late policy.