Using Data to Strengthen Practice
Explore how AWD supports youth-serving organizations in building stronger programs, using data to guide decisions, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
About AWD
Cohort members are Metro Detroit OST providers interested in improving program quality. Throughout the program year, participants attend workshops, receive coaching, and collect data to measure staff practices and youth outcomes.
AWD aims to strengthen staff practices and improve youth outcomes through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
Program Structure
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Workshops
Learn program quality practices and connect with other participants
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One-on-one coaching
Strengthen staff practices and make improvement plans
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Data Collection
Use assessments to measure staff practices and youth outcomes
Tools Provided
Frameworks for high-quality OST programs
Data collection templates
Data dashboards and report generators
Reflection and improvement planning tools
Data reporting guidance
Resources to share AWD learnings with your team
Exemplary facilitation strategies
AWD Resource Portal
Who It Is For
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Organizations seeking to improve program quality using evidence-based practices
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Organizations serving Metro Detroit youth through out-of-school time (OST) programming
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Participants do not need prior experience with data collection. Resources are provided throughout the year for quality improvement.
AWD Participants
Impact of AWD
“Being part of Acting With Data for the past eight years has helped Give Merit use the Youth Program Quality Assessment to strengthen how youth development practices show up in our programming. Each year we use internal and external assessments, along with staff observations focused on practices like warm welcomes, active engagement, encouragement, and reflection, to measure how our staff facilitate experiences for youth. By tracking our results year over year, we identified reflection as an area for growth and created a structured plan to embed reflection questions into every workshop and closing circle. Over time, this process has helped our team become more intentional and reflective. This year, we achieved our highest percentage of top scores on the assessment, with 95% of the items scoring a 5!”
— Rachel Mazzaro, Program Success Director, Give Merit
38
Organizations participated in Acting With Data during 2025–2026.
92%
Of AWD respondents reported using program observation data to improve programs.
84%
Of participating young people showed positive change in critical thinking from fall 2025 to spring 2026.
72
Improvement coaching sessions delivered, alongside 39 external assessments and 19 improvement plans.
JOIN A FUTURE AWD COHORT
Acting With Data (AWD) runs from fall through spring each year, bringing together youth-serving organizations committed to strengthening program quality through data, coaching, and continuous improvement.
Applications typically open during the summer, with participants notified of acceptance before the new program year begins.
Interested in joining a future cohort? Stay connected with YDRC for upcoming application announcements and opportunities to participate.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Acting With Data, please email Albi Taipi, Manager of Capacity Building and Learning