Continuous quality improvement (CQI) systems are frameworks for defining and examining strengths and problems and then testing, improving, and learning from solutions on an ongoing basis. CQI is a proactive, cyclical process that uses data to improve services and child welfare outcomes.
Having a robust CQI system contributes to consistently improving services and supports for children and families and using resources effectively. As service interventions change, a CQI program can support services that are effective, equitable, and accessible and contribute to positive results.
Effectively implementing changes to your practice comes with challenges. These frameworks can help us determine if practices and strategies are effective and, if not, provide a process for change.
Approaches to CQI vary, so interagency communication is essential. Sharing knowledge with and learning from other agencies and community partners, including those with lived experience, can be valuable. These collaborations can help implement good practices that are based on equity and that focus on addressing racial disparities within the child welfare system.
Learn ways to develop CQI systems for your agency, organization, or program and find examples of CQI models and tools. Adjust the filters below to refine your list of resources.
Can’t find what you need in the filtered results? Try searching our Library catalog to access a large selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, evaluation reports, Children’s Bureau grant materials, research studies, and more.
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CQI Training Academy: Using Data to Implement Change Handbook
Learn best practices for continuous quality improvement and how to apply those practices to strengthen families, deliver equitable services, and build more resilient communities.
Continuous Quality Improvement and Implementation
Learn continuous quality improvement (CQI) and implementation best practices and explore systematic, evidence-informed ways to improve child welfare practice and the functional components of CQI systems.
Strategic Planning in Child Welfare: Integrating Efforts for Systems Improvement
Learn more tips and strategies to help States coordinate and integrate Child and Family Services Plan and Annual Progress and Services Review development with the Child and Family Services Plans and other improvement efforts.
Quality Improvement Centers
Learn more about Quality Improvement Centers (QICs), which generate and disseminate research and knowledge in specific focus areas with the goal of helping agencies, managers, workers, and other child welfare professionals with service delivery.
The CQI Self-Assessment Instrument
Find a tool that helps agencies explore their implementation of CQI systems across seven areas, including leadership support and modeling, staff and stakeholder engagement, communication, administrative structure, use of quality data, and more.
FRIENDS National Center: Continuous Quality Improvement
Discover the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process and a CQI environment. The website offers a visual outline of the CQI process, which involves five steps, and lists additional resources.