Comprehensive, Culturally Approriate, and Competency-Based Workforce Development.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

The process of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is a broad set of skills and processes that helps organizations and systems make accurate assessments of the “root cause” of problem issues, plan rational interventions to address those causes, and relentlessly track the impact of those interventions. The US Department of Health and Human Services published guidance in Information Memo ACYF-CB-IM-12-07 instructing all states to establish and maintain CQI systems. The California Department of Social Services subsequently provided guidance in multiple notices, the most recent being All County Information Notice No. I-84-16.

Past CQI Convenings

CQI Convening 1 – January 22, 2015

CQI Convening 1 Slides  January 22, 2015
CQI Convening 1 Discussion Notes
CQI Action Planning Article NRCOI
CQI Program Evaluation Basics NRCOI
CQI Turning Data into Information NRCOI
CQI Workforce and Capacity Building NRCOI
CQI Framework Casey NRC May 2005
CW Matters: Lessons from the Field – Assessing and Improving CQI Systems
Keys to Using Data and Info CWS Matters Article

Many of the materials and events that are included in the learning collaborative have been developed and facilitated by Lucia Hermens, Peter Watson and Dawn Schoonhoven Scott.


CQI Convening 2 – June 25, 2015

CQI Convening 2 Slides June 25, 2015
CQI Convening 2 Discussion Notes
CQI Qualitative Case Review NRCOI
Fresno CQI Components Handout from E-Training


CQI Convening 3 – October 20, 2015

The third convening of the CQI Learning Collaborative was held on October 20, 2015. This convening focused on connecting multiple types and sources of information to support CQI. Doug Beran, a state representative who helped to implement CQI in Nebraska’s child welfare system share a number of resources and implementation strategies. Additional notes regarding his presentation are included in the discussion notes from this convening below and links to Nebraska’s materials can be found here:

CQI Convening 3 Slides
CQI Convening 3 Discussion Notes
Children and Families Services Review (CFSR) Presentation
Nebraska CFSR State and Service Area Results
DHHS Nebraska CQI Reports
DHHS Nebraska Quick Tips Video


CQI Convening 4- October 26, 2016

The fourth and final convening of the CQI Learning Collaborative was held on October 26th, 2016. This convening focused on strategies for stakeholder engagement, the role of leadership, and using data to push practice forward.  Guest speakers included representatives from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, representatives from CDSS and UC Berkeley’s Child Welfare Maltreatment Indicators Project. There was time to discuss what was shared by Allegheny County, review the last 18 months of work done on CQI implementation, and create next steps for continued CQI implementation. Presentation materials can be found here including links to useful CQI information and some of the speaker’s direct emails.

Allegheny County DHS Presentation

Allegheny County DHS Office of Children, Youth and Families Conferencing and Teaming practice model
Jacki Hoover, DHS contact: jacki.hoover@alleghenycounty.us

Allegheny County DHS Data Analytics website to access publications and research

PA Quality Service Review Protocol and Lead Manual
Natalie Perrin, state contact: nperrin@pa.gov

Predictive Analytics information
Erin Dalton, DHS contact: erin.dalton@alleghenycounty.us

Child Fatality/Near Fatality Data Briefs
Jean O’Connell Jenkins, DHS contact: jean.oconnelljenkins@alleghenycounty.us

Leadership Fellows
Brian Bell, DHS lead contact: brian.bell@alleghenycounty.us
Angie Steele, Leadership Fellows graduate and former child welfare practitioner: angela.steele@alleghenycounty.us

Community Engagement 
Mike Mitchell, DHS contact: mike.mitchell@alleghenycounty.us

Data Warehouse
Sarah Thurston, DHS contact: sarah.thurston@alleghenycounty.us

Past CQI Webinars

Southern CQI Learning Collaborative Recorded Webinar #1  – April 21, 2015

Intended Audience: This webinar is designed for individuals working with their county leadership to implement or enhance Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes.

Description: The Using Data to Drive Outcomes CQI recorded webinar provides a brief review of the current state of CQI implementation in the Southern region and an update on actions taken as a result of the first CQI convening. Peter Watson, Managing Director, USM Muskie School of Public Service presents strategies to connect California CFSR case reviews to a larger CQI process including planning for communication and messaging, feedback loops and what to do with information gathered in case reviews and how to look at case review information in conjunction with other types of data including quantitative data.


Southern CQI Learning Collaborative Recorded Webinar #2 – September 3, 2015

Intended Audience: This webinar is designed for individuals working with their county leadership to implement or enhance Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes.

Description: The San Diego County CQI Profile recorded webinar provides an overview of the CQI System in San Diego County. Their team presents information on the background, development, vision and structure of the CQI system in San Diego County. They also discuss the role of the Data Unit, Centralized CQI Unit and Regional/Program Policy Analysts in their county. In addition, they discuss the communication components, strengths and challenges and future upgrade to their CQI System.

CQI Manual
CQI Webinar Slides
Referral Review Tool
SET Case Review Tool Section 1
SET Case Review Tool Section 2


Southern Region CQI Learning Collaborative Webinar #3 – Connecting CQI to Other Initiatives – February 29, 2016

Intended Audience: This webinar is designed for individuals working with their county leadership to implement or enhance Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes.

Description: This recorded webinar brings together members of the Southern CQI Learning Collaborative counties to briefly review the current state of CQI implementation in the Southern region and provide a brief update on actions taken as a result of the first CQI convening. We will also provide discussion and plan for strategies to connect CQI to other key practices and initiatives. Daniel Webster will join us to help guide our discussion, connect our work with statewide efforts on CQI, and plan for the upcoming Convening.


Child and Family Services Review 3: Outcome Measure Performance and Accountability System Planning

Child and Family Services Review 3: Outcome Measure Performance and Accountability System Planning Webinar

Webinar Handouts

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