This document provides an overview of the California After School Program Quality Self-Assessment Tool, which programs can use to promote continuous quality improvement. It describes the origins and contents of the tool, including its 11 quality elements and indicators that programs rate themselves on. The document reviews how to use the tool according to the user's guide, then invites participants to explore sections of the tool in groups and discuss other potential uses of the tool with their programs.

1. Using the California After
School Program Quality Self
Assessment Tool
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Promoting Continuous Quality Improvement
For After School Programs

2. Today’s Goals
• Learn about the origins of the CA After
School Program Quality Self
Assessment (QSA) Tool.
• Review content of the QSA Tool, User’s
Guide, and how to use each resource.
• Explore the QSA Tool and strategize
how it might be used in your program.

3. About the QSA Tool
• Available online at
www.afterschoolnetwork.org/qsatool
• Origins
• You are in control of how you use it
• Not mandatory, not an external evaluation
tool
• Part of a staff directed process to improve
program quality.

4. Overview of the QSA Tool
• 11 quality elements including two new quality
elements.
• Increased Point-of-service (site level) focus
(esp. Program Environment and Safety, Youth Development, Family Involvement,
Nutrition and Physical Activity, Promoting Diversity, and Supporting Els)
• Revised with input from multiple CA and National
Experts and Stakeholders.
• New layout allows users to provide examples of each
indicator in their program.

5. 11 program Quality Elements

6. Overview of the QSA Tool
• Description of program
element
• Description of indicators
• Rank each indicator 1
- 4 based on scale
• Provide examples of
how these indicators
play out in your
program
• Record action planning
ideas and assistance
that may be needed

7. QSA User’s Guide
• Intended use of the tool (p. 3 and 5)
• Quick Guide (p. 7)
• Survey to Discussion Method (p. 8)
• Consensus based discussion (p. 10)
• Issue Diagnosis Guide (p. 16)
• Action Planning (p. 19)
• Requesting Technical Assistance (p. 21)

8. Dig in to the tool
• In separate groups you will take on one
section of the tool.
• You will have the chance to see the
work that others have done following
your exploration of a section

9. Other Uses of the Tool
• Illustrate what the program is doing well
• Begin conversations with Teachers,
Schools and Program Administration
• See how QSA Data compares with
other assessments such as youth and
parent surveys

10. Thanks for doing what you do!
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decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
We are here to help
www.afterschoolnetwork.org