Having a robust continuous quality improvement (CQI) system is important to consistently improve services and supports for children and families and to ensure the most effective use of resources. As service interventions evolve, a continuous quality improvement program can make sure that delivered services are relevant and contributing to positive results. Performing an assessment of an agency's current CQI system can lead to additional improvement. The following resources provide toolkits and information on the CQI process as well as how to identify your system's strengths and target areas needing attention and how to develop and implement improvements.

Continuous Quality Improvement
Tribal Evaluation Institute
Offers tools relating to continuous quality improvement (CQI) and CQI-related resources for child welfare professionals working with Tribal communities.

Continuous Quality Improvement Toolkit: A Resource for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Awardees
James Bell Associates (2017)
Offers a toolkit for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program awardees and others in child welfare to build capacity in their continuous quality improvement (CQI). The toolkit offers training modules introducing CQI, using data, creating a CQI culture, explaining the CQI process, measuring results, and more.

CQI Self-Assessment Instrument (PDF - 1,430 KB) 
Capacity Building Center for States (2016) 
Presents a research-informed tool to help agencies implement continuous quality improvement (CQI) across seven areas: leadership support and modeling, staff and stakeholder engagement, communication, administrative structure, use of quality data, case record review process, and application of CQI findings.

CQI Self-Assessment Instrument Rating Guide (PDF - 334 KB) 
Capacity Building Center for States (2018) 
Offers an instrument for conducting a self-assessment of continuous quality improvement efforts. The assessment includes questions relating to leadership, staff and stakeholder engagement, communication, administrative structure, data collection, use of data, and more. 

CQI Self-Assessment Tools 
Capacity Building Center for States 
Provides information on assessing an agency's continuous quality improvement (CQI) system. The website offers tools including a guide for agencies, a self-assessment instrument, rating guide, and more information to use when assessing CQI. 

Focused CQI Services: A Guide for Agencies (PDF - 314 KB) 
Capacity Building Center for States (2016) 
Provides an overview of the assessment for continuous quality improvement (CQI), the CQI implementation process, tips for identifying an assessment team, guidance on key planning activities, and more.

Is There a Missing Piece in Your Agency's CQI System?
Capacity Building Center for States (2018)
Children's Bureau Express, 19(3)
Explains the goal of continuous quality improvement (CQI) and links to resources that help support agencies in the implementation of research-supported best practices for engaging families in CQI.