The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) is charged with advancing child welfare programs and practice to ensure that they are authentically engaging and empowering children and youth in child welfare throughout the U.S., especially in relation to permanency decisions. Spaulding for Children leads the QIC-EY, and CCFL is one of four collaborative partners. CCFL’s primary role is to help child welfare agencies make systemic changes to improve child and youth engagement.
This process is all about being curious. Exploring current practice, assessing organizational functioning, identifying facilitators and barriers, analyzing root causes, and generating solutions all involve an iterative process of questions and answers. This work is done with surveys and facilitated discussions and activities with subject matter experts.
The team has also provided input on the eight pilot sites, supported the design and development of the training and coaching model, delivered technical assistance, and offered sustainability planning.
CCFL is proud to be a part of the QIC-EY and transformative child welfare change that authentically engages with children and youth and amplifies their voices.
TEAM: Megan Paul, Michelle Graef, not pictured: Penny Putnam Collins (consultant)
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families,
Children’s Bureau; Spaulding for Children; New England Association of Child Welfare Commissioners and Directors; North American Council on Adoptable Children; University of Washington School of Social Work
"Youth are the experts on their own lives and must be heard. We seek to connect with and learn from subject matter experts with diverse backgrounds, including youth and young adults with lived expertise, workers, supervisors, managers, trainers, administrators, and our project partners." - Megan Paul, Research Associate Professor