Program Assessment and continuous quality improvement is a systemic process to determine strengths and areas for improvement for future planning. A continuous quality improvement process is necessary in order to ensure that programs not only meet the needs of children and families, but also maintains goals for best practices.

Programs must analyze current practices to determine how to make adjustments to meet the needs of children and families as needs change over time. Program assessment and continuous quality improvement is essentially program research to determine and adjust goals and ensure appropriate program evolution. Chapter five includes key topics that are integral to program assessment and continuous quality improvement.