One of the fundamental lessons learned during the first year of the QIC-EY project is that a huge variance exists among child welfare systems and professionals across the United States in how they define youth engagement. Therefore, before the work of ensuring authentic engagement of children and youth in care could begin, the QIC-EY team had to develop a clear definition that would serve as a centerpiece.
To inform definition development and to set a solid foundation for the QIC-EY project, the team began by conducting an environmental scan of the current child and youth engagement landscape, identifying strengths as well as areas where improvement is needed. The scan included a survey of state child welfare systems, a literature review and interviews with experts. A foundational element of the QIC-EY’s environmental scan was the Literature Review, which summarized numerous articles to determine the changes needed in the system and in staff perspectives to ensure authentic youth engagement. This review uncovered a variety of workforce competencies, including the ability to partner respectfully with children and youth, to communicate with them openly and honestly and to build trusting relationships.
The QIC-EY leadership also worked in conjunction with the project’s National Youth Engagement Advisory Council and core partners. This collective effort resulted in the QIC-EY’s expanded definition of engagement which includes children and youth to emphasize that engagement should take place early in a child’s life and continue over time.
