Developing and Implementing a National Quality Assurance Policy and Control Policy in School-Based Prevention of Risk Behaviors: A Case Study

Abstract

Background

The implementation of quality standards and measures in the school-based prevention of risk behaviors is not well evidenced in the literature. 

Aims

The description of the emergence and implementation of an original nationwide quality management for the prevention of risk behaviors. 

Methods

Narrative review from database searches, including gray literature, followed by a subsequent content analysis. 

Results

The implementation was divided into six stages characterized by specific activities, measures and concepts given by parameters of the thematic scope and approaches. The driving element turned out to be the changing responses of service providers. It was the response, engagement and the increasing level of providers self-organization that had the greatest effect on development. This interactive process had a major influence on the eventual wide thematic range and scope. It led to establishing of a unique system represented by four components: a certification system and standards for the quality of methods and their delivery to the target group, the monitoring and evaluation of the programs at the school level, qualification standards for professionals, and ethical standards. 

Conclusions

Reflection on the implementation of quality management in school-based prevention in the past 20 years may empower similar processes in other countries. 

Authors

Michal Miovsky, Tereza Černíková, Elizabeth Nováková, & Roman Gabrhelík