Individualized Technical Assistance

NAC provides flexible, community-specific technical assistance tailored to the stage of Assessment Center development. Whether exploring the model for the first time, planning for launch, moving into early implementation, or sustaining and strengthening operations, NAC offers support that meets you where you are.

Ready to explore customized support for your community? Reach out to [email protected] to discuss a tailored TA plan that fits your stage of development.

Exploring

For communities assessing whether an Assessment Center is the right fit.

Assessment Center 101

An introduction to the Assessment Center model, including its purpose, guiding principles, and examples from across the country. This foundational orientation helps communities understand how Assessment Centers function and the value they bring to youth, families, and systems.

Planning

For communities designing an Assessment Center or preparing to launch.

Assessment Center Intervention Mapping

An iterative process that helps communities understand why and how youth move through local systems, and where an Assessment Center can intervene to prevent deeper involvement.

• Data analysis and stakeholder interviews
• Development of a youth systems map
• Community convening to identify prevention/diversion opportunities
• Needs-assets matching to align gaps with community strengths

Operationalizing the Framework

Guidance to translate the Assessment Center Framework into a tailored operational plan. Often paired with Intervention Mapping.

• Establishing referral criteria
• Designing screening and assessment systems
• Mapping community resources
• Developing policies, procedures, staffing, and infrastructure
• Building evaluation measures and a CQI plan

Youth and Family Engagement

Early planning requires authentic youth and family voice to shape the foundation of the Center. NAC helps communities:

• Establish advisory groups or planning tables that include youth and caregivers
• Incorporate youth and family perspectives into referral criteria, policies, and space design
• Build consensus around engagement as a guiding principle from the start

Early Implementation

For new Centers seeking support during their first few years of operations.

Core Component–Specific TA

Targeted assistance to strengthen one or more of the five Assessment Center Framework components:

• Single Point of Contact (Referral)
• Screening and Assessment
• Case Management
• Accountability
• Staff Support and Development

Topic-Specific TA

Custom support on specialized issues such as:

• Referral processes to match needs based on screening to community assets
• Screening systems for specific populations (e.g., CSEC, gang-involved youth, LGBTQ+ youth)
• Trauma-informed supervision practices
• Equity-focused CQI processes

Screening and Assessment System Development

NAC supports Centers in building comprehensive screening and assessment systems—not just selecting tools. A new Screening and Assessment Tool Inventory helps members compare tools by population, length, cost, and purpose, aligned with the NAC Framework. Support includes:

• Tool selection guidance
• Training staff for implementation fidelity
• Developing policies and procedures
• Linking screening to effective service connections
  (Members: Access the Tool Inventory in the NAC Resource Library under Screening and Assessment Tools.)

Youth and Family Engagement

In the first years of operations, engagement efforts should move from vision into practice. NAC supports new Centers to:

• Develop ongoing feedback loops (e.g., surveys, focus groups) for youth and caregivers
• Create formal youth and family advisory boards that inform services and processes
• Train staff on how to build trust and incorporate family voice into case planning

Sustaining (Established Centers)

For established Centers working to enhance quality, measure outcomes, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

NAC supports established Centers in embedding CQI as a routine practice to strengthen operations and outcomes. CQI assistance is grounded in the Assessment Center Self-Assessment (available in the NAC Member Resource Library) and linked to participation in the Self-Assessment Practice Network, which provides structured peer learning and facilitated action planning. Support includes:

• Conducting self-assessment reviews to identify strengths and opportunities for growth
• Facilitating stakeholder interviews and document reviews to validate findings
• Creating a tailored CQI action plan with measurable goals
• Providing ongoing coaching to monitor progress and maintain fidelity to the Assessment Center Framework

Outcome Framework and Measurement Planning

NAC works with Centers to align their outcome measurement with ACORN (Assessment Center Outcomes and Referral Network), which serves as both a common data framework and a data management system for Centers that do not already have that capacity. Centers participating in ACORN have access to:

• Tools to build a logic-based outcome framework that links activities to short-, medium-, and long-term goals
• Support to identify and track essential indicators across referral, screening, case management, and outcomes
• Quarterly site-level dashboards, available to Centers that submit data to NAC, providing real-time insight into service connections, equity, and outcomes
• Aggregated data that contributes to state and national dashboards, helping demonstrate the broader impact of Assessment Centers

Youth and Family Engagement

Mature Centers should embed youth and family voice in leadership and long-term decision-making. NAC assists Centers to:

• Include youth and caregivers on governance boards or decision-making bodies
• Use youth/family feedback as part of CQI processes and outcome measurement
• Build sustainable structures (e.g., stipends, leadership training) to support meaningful, ongoing participation

(Members: You must be signed in to access NAC member-only resources such as the Self-Assessment Tool and Outcome and Measurement Framework.)