The MyPQA Starter Kit gives you the tools, structure, and confidence to begin, or strengthen, your program quality improvement journey using the Forum’s validated Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools. Designed for youth program leaders, site coordinators, and quality champions, the kit brings together tools, training, and guided supports to help you assess, plan, and improve in ways that fit your role and setting.

What’s included

The MyPQA Starter Kit includes:

• The Program Quality Assessment (PDF) tool of your choice (Youth, School-Age, SEL)
• The MyPQA Starter Kit Guide (PDF), a practical companion that walks you step by step through observation, team reflection, scoring, goal setting, and action planning using the PQA
• Intro to CQI, a short self-paced online course introducing continuous quality improvement
• PQA Basics, a self-paced online course aligned to your selected PQA tool, focused on understanding quality standards and observation
• A Scores Reporter online account to enter PQA scores, track results over time, and generate reports to support reflection and improvement planning
• One Youth Work Methods self-paced online course focused on practical staff practices, redeemed using your included digital coupon

Together, these components support a complete CQI workflow that you can tailor to your own setting and priorities.

Who this kit is for

The MyPQA Starter Kit is designed for:

• Afterschool and youth program professionals
• Site coordinators and program managers
• Staff beginning or restarting quality improvement work
• Individuals looking for a practical, accessible entry point to program quality improvement

How it is typically used

Users often begin with Intro to CQI and PQA Basics, then and use their PQA tool to assess their practice. The Starter Kit Guide reinforces a team-based approach, guiding you through observation, shared interpretation of evidence, and the selection of a focused, practice-based improvement goal. Scores are entered into the online Scores Reporter system to generate reports and track progress. The included Youth Work Methods course supports implementation of that goal.

Access details

• All components are digital
• Access is valid for 12 months from activation
• This product is intended for individual use

Within 48–72 hours, your online course account and Scores Reporter account will be created. You will receive an email from portal@cypq.org with login instructions. Once your account is active, you can access your courses at portal.cypq.org.

About the approach

The MyPQA Starter Kit is developed by the Forum for Youth Investment's Weikart Center for Program Quality and is grounded in research and field-tested practice. It is designed to support intentional, manageable improvement that fits real-world constraints.