A Program Quality Cohort is a group of youth program providers who engage in a continuous improvement process to strengthen their programs. Through a structured cycle of reflection, assessment, goal setting, and implementation, participants will work collectively to identify opportunities for growth and implement data-driven strategies to enhance their services.

By participating, your program will receive a wealth of resources and opportunities, including:

Peer Learning & Collaboration

• 1 Kickoff and 4 Learning Community Meetings to connect with youth programs across the county

Individualized Support & Assessment

• 1 External Assessment and 1 Self-Assessment
• 10 hours of coaching tailored to your needs, which can support:
  • Self-assessment processes 
  • Goal setting and implementation of new practices 
  • Using Scores Reporter for tracking and data 
• Access to the Scores Reporter data system to generate reports and track progress

Training & Professional Development

• Full access to SOWA’s training sessions in Pierce County, as well as virtual and online self-paced workshops. 

Participating sites will:

• Reflect on programs to identify strengths and areas for improvement 
• Conduct assessments using the Weikart Center’s Youth Program Quality tools 
• Use assessment data to set meaningful, achievable goals 
• Engage in peer learning and shared problem-solving with other providers 
• Receive guidance and support from School’s Out Washington facilitators and up to 10 hours of individualized coaching

Strengthen youth program impact

• Equip providers with tools and strategies to enhance program effectiveness
• Support organizations in using data to inform decision-making and program adjustments

Build a stronger peer learning network

• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among youth program providers
• Create a supportive space for discussing challenges and best practices

Develop sustainable continuous improvement practices

• Empower providers to integrate reflective practices into their ongoing work
• Encourage the use of data-driven goal setting for long-term program development

Ensure equity and responsiveness in programs

• Support culturally responsive approaches that align with the needs of youth served
• Explore ways to make assessment tools and strategies more relevant for diverse communities

We recommend selecting 2-4 staff members who have the ability and tools to share their learning with the rest of your team. Ideal participants include:

• Program Managers/Directors
• Staff who work directly with youth
• Other key team members involved in program implementation

A site refers to a specific location or program that operates on a regular schedule. The site is where assessments will occur to collect data that supports your goal-setting process. Examples include:

• A Theater Class held every Thursday and Tuesday from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
• A Drop-In Teen Late Night on the 2nd Friday of each month from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM
• A Childcare Center operating Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM at the Thurston Community Center

The cohort currently includes one external assessment (conducted by a third party). If your organization is interested in assessing multiple sites, please reach out to our team for more details on additional assessments.

The cohort learning process is designed to equip youth program providers with tools for structured reflection, assessment, and goal-setting. These strategies can be applied across all of your sites and programs, supporting organization-wide impact.