The group care quality standards assessment: A framework for assessment, quality improvement, and effectiveness. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boel-Studt, Shamra; Huefner, Jonathan C.; Huang, Hui
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 105(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Residential group care -- Therapeutic residential care -- Child welfare -- Quality improvement -- Quality standards -- Performance measures; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104425
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: Concerns about the quality of residential care for children and youth are longstanding. These concerns prompted a Florida-based initiative aimed at transforming residential care through the integration of research-informed practice standards, on-going assessment, and continuous quality improvement. The initiative resulted in the development of the Group Care Quality Standards and the Group Care Quality Standards Assessment (GCQSA) as mechanisms for guiding transformation efforts. In this article, we elaborate on the conceptual and implementation frameworks guiding the development and efforts to scale up the GCQSA throughout Florida. We begin by summarizing empirical sources that informed the guiding frameworks. Next, we describe the project phases highlighting the aims, methods and summarizing results where relevant. The aim of this article is to offer a working blue print to guide the adaptation of quality initiatives in other child welfare organizations or jurisdictions while taking into consideration the fit of such initiatives within the service environment and the complexities of system-wide change. Highlights: Concerns about the quality of youth residential care are longstanding. The GCQSA is a measure of residential care quality standards. A framework to facilitate quality standards and improvement efforts is presented. The GCQSA has prompted program evaluation and increased use of assessments.