QPI is an approach, a philosophy and a network of sites that share information and ideas about how to improve parenting as well as recruit and retain excellent families. It is an effort to rebrand foster care, not simply by changing a logo or an advertisement, but by changing the expectations of and support for caregivers. The child welfare system commits to fully supporting excellent parenting by putting the needs of the child first.

The key elements of the approach are:

1. Defining the expectations of caregivers,
2. Clearly communicating expectations (the Brand Statement) to staff, caregivers and other stakeholders, and
3. Aligning system policy and practice with those expectation

QPI is based on five core principles:

• Excellent parenting is the most important service we can provide to children and youth in care. Children need families, not beds;
• Child development and trauma research indicates that children need constant, consistent, effective parenting to grow and reach their full potential;
• Each community must define excellent parenting for itself;
• Policy and practice must be changed to align with that definition;and
• Participants in the system are in the best position to recommend and implement that change.

Nevada QPI

In 2011, Nevada created a statewide partnership which includes Clark County Department of Family Services, Division of Child and Family Services – Rural Region and Washoe County Human Services Agency – Child’s Services Division  for statewide integration of the  QPI philosophy

Significant Achievements Include:

• Statewide policy for Normalcy, Information Sharing, Visitation
• An increase in relative placements and keeping siblings in the same placement.
• Partnerships between birth families, caregivers, child welfare agencies and judicial partners.
• Implementing the Kinship Navigator Program statewide
• Foster Parent Champions and QPI Champions and peer support groups and resources
• Implementing the Fostering Relationships Vitiation practice model.
• Nevada’s Just in Time Training and QPI Website
• Hosted 2nd National QPI Conference in Las Vegas in 2014

Ongoing Initiatives:

• Comfort Calls and Appropriate Transitions
• Access to new ongoing trainings and quick help videos
• More to come in 2022

Contact your local QPI Program for more information or learn how to become a QPI/Foster Parent Champion or for local events and resources.

Branding Statement:

Quality Parenting Washoe promotes safe and healthy families and a culture of well-being through respect, empathy and understanding, communication, and good working relationships.