> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dcyf.gitbook.io/cmshandbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dcyf.gitbook.io/cmshandbook/program-quality-assessment/program-quality-assessment-overview.md).

# Program Quality Assessment Overview

The Youth & School Aged Program Quality Assessment (PQA) Tool is a validated instrument developed by the David P. Weikart Center to evaluate the quality of youth programs and identify staff training needs. The tool measures a young person’s access to key developmental experiences through a set of scored items that can be used to assess progress over time. Grantees required to participate in DCYF’s Program Quality Intervention process use the PQA module in CMS to record information related to assessments conducted using the PQA tool.

### Submitting PQA Scores

**What You’ll Need**

* Agency or Program Staff User Account
* PQA observation details, scores, and supporting evidence
* Approved Workplan

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Log into CMS at <https://contracts.dcyf.org>.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select a program and click on the&#x20;*****PQA*****&#x20;link in the lefthand menu.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Identify the PQA tool used to assess program services and select the appropriate&#x20;*****Add*****+ button.**

{% hint style="info" %}
PQA Observations can only be created for programs with approved workplans. Check the status of your workplan in the *Workplan Overview* form or on the *Agency Programs* page.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Prior to observing your Program, ensure you are utilizing the correct PQA tool. Contact your Program Specialist to confirm.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Complete the Observation Details.**

<div data-with-frame="true"><img src="/files/bd5ddb672878bb39a725f0b8d4f4a05373b95097" alt="Graphical user interface, text, application Description automatically generated"></div>

**Observation Date.** The date the observation took place. This date must fall between the Program Operation Start and End Dates entered in the *Workplan Services & Projections* form.

**Program Site Location.** The site where the observation took place. The Program Site Location dropdown menu is populated with the approved list of sites in the Workplan Services & Projections form. Contact your Program Specialist if you do not see an option for the location where the observation took place.

**Observation Type.** Internal assessments, also known as self-assessments, are conducted by grantee staff. External assessments are conducted by DCYF staff. Grantees should select the “Internal” option.

**Partial Observations.** Partial Observations do not require the form to be completed in its entirety. Contact your Program Specialist prior to conducting a partial observation.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Complete the observation form by submitting a score and supporting evidence for each item.**

Use the collapse and expand icons to navigate the different domains and scales included in the form.

![Graphical user interface, text, application Description automatically generated](/files/8a8031b3bfd25279eea5cae69817c794e809c7aa)

1. **Domains**: Domains are listed above relevant Scales and items.
2. **Scales**: Scales are listed below relevant Domains and include one, or more, items.
3. **Items**: Items are listed below relevant Scales. Reference the scoring guidelines and available scoring instructions presented with each item.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Review the observation form for accuracy and submit the form.**
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIPS**

* Once an observation form has been submitted, it cannot be edited. To edit or delete a submitted observation form, contact your Program Specialist.
* Save your work often! Select the save icons as you submit your PQA scores and supporting evidence. CMS will time out after 90 minutes of inactivity. Any progress that has not been saved will be lost when you are logged out of the system.
* To save an observation form, first complete the observation details listed at the top of each form.
  {% endhint %}