QUALITY

The extent to which contemporary and generally recognized standards are met and exceeded, and desirable outcomes achieved.		  
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  ACCOUNTABILITY

The extent to which a program is answerable to a variety of relevant stakeholders including: children and youth, families, community representatives, people or entities providing oversight, and governmental regulators.		  
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  LIABILITY

An obligation, responsibility, or debt.		  
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  CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

A comprehensive, ongoing system that incorporates intensive stakeholder involvement, data collection and analysis, information sharing, and corrective action in order to improve the functioning of a program.		  
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  CULTURE

The customs, traditions, habits, values, skills, technology, beliefs, and religious, social, and political behaviors of a group of people.		  
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  STAKEHOLDER

Any person, group, or organization that has a vested interest in the services provided by the program. Examples: children, youth, families, schools, community members.		  
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  PERSONNEL

The people responsible for carrying out the program's tasks. For purposes of after school program recognition, the term "personnel" covers both full-time and part-time employees, as well as volunteers who perform the same duties as personnel and have a regular, ongoing role at the program.

Unless otherwise noted, standards related to the provision or oversight of direct services generally apply only to personnel who: (1) work with children and youth, (2) supervise personnel who work with children and youth, or (3) are responsible for overseeing the program. For example, COA would not expect personnel providing clerical services to receive the same training provided to those who work with children and youth.

  
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  COMMUNITY

The area where the program is located (i.e., the neighborhood, city, town, or county). The term may also refer to a group of people who are defined by and/or share a common culture, values, norms, language, race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. Often, many smaller communities coexist within a city or town.		  
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  TRAINING

Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.		  
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ASP-AM 9: Continuous Quality Improvement

 
The program develops and implements a system for promoting continuous quality improvement.

Interpretation: Continuous quality improvement is relevant to both how the program is run, and the outcomes the program promotes. Accordingly, it may be relevant to measure desired goals and outcomes in both domains, from staff preparedness and activity quality, to the personal development and academic progress of children and youth.

Note: The process of implementing COA’s After School Standards is one way of demonstrating that a program is working on continuous quality improvement.

ASP-AM 9.01

 
The program creates a culture that promotes excellence and continual improvement, and focuses on promoting satisfaction and positive outcomes.

ASP-AM 9.02

 
The program sets forth desired goals and outcomes that are aligned with its mission and merit ongoing monitoring.
Note: As referenced in ASP-AM 2.01, the program should work with relevant stakeholders to establish desired goals as part of its long-term program planning efforts.

ASP-AM 9.03

 
The program works with key stakeholders, including personnel, children and youth, families, and the community, to collect and analyze data relevant to desired goals and outcomes.

Note: COA expects programs to use instruments that reflect their desired goals and outcomes. A program may choose to create its own instrument, or use an already-existing one. Administering the Questionnaires included in the After School Guidelines can also help programs to gather and analyze relevant data.

ASP-AM 9.04

 
The program communicates findings and recommendations to key audiences and stakeholders, and makes any needed improvements.
Interpretation: In some cases, the program may find it necessary and appropriate to develop and implement an improvement plan that includes goals, action steps, timetables, and resources (e.g., if findings indicate that personnel need more training). In other cases a plan may not be necessary (e.g., if findings indicate that children and youth would like to have apples at snack time instead of oranges, the program may simply choose to purchase apples instead of making a formal plan).
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PURPOSE: Sound administration and management increase program quality and sustainability; promote financial accountability and viability; support transparency and openness; and reduce risk, loss, and liability exposure.
 
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