Quality improvement homepage Quest cohorts project summaries
The Quest cohort program is our continuous quality improvement initiative for child and youth mental health and addictions agencies. It’s intended for agencies that receive funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health to deliver CYMHA services.
Our Quest cohort program applies Lean Six Sigma methodology, providing coaching, training and tools to help agencies build their quality improvement (QI) capacity, make improvements to a process or care pathway and embed a QI culture on their team.
Where we started |
When agencies told us they needed better support to deal with specific and complex issues, we listened. In 2016 we responded by re-organizing our staff and leadership structure to create a dedicated team with expertise in QI, performance measurement and system planning. In 2020, we launched our Quest program. |
Where we are now |
Our QI team has led four cohorts through the Quest program, with agency projects focusing on a range of challenges including improving access, brief services and organizational systems. We’ve also provided open Lean Six Sigma training outside the scope of the Quest program, to help build and mature a culture of continuous quality improvement across our sector. |
Where we are headed |
Quest cohort 5 will launch in 2025. We also continue to facilitate a QI community of practice and an advanced QI working group focused on system-level QI topics. |
Want to get involved? Applications for Quest cohort 5 are now open until June 27, 2025. Click here to access the application form and to read the Quest application guide which contains important information on what makes a good project, the selection process and criteria, the available funding, etc. If you’d like a consultation with one of our coaches before applying, you can book one here.
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Why make process improvements? |
QI is a systematic approach using robust tools and techniques to make changes and improve outcomes for the client, family, service provider or system. Frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma enable us to take a collaborative and methodical approach to examine organizational processes in detail, and optimize and ensure value for stakeholders, including children, young people, families, and service providers. QI projects may include clinical issues, such as intake, waitlists, discharge and integrated services between care providers (primary care, educational settings, hospitals and community mental health centres). They may also include more internal-facing issues related to finances, human resources or other administrative processes that impact the services agencies deliver to their clients. Some examples include:
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What makes a good process improvement project? |
Some examples include:
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How does the program help agencies make process improvements? |
The Quest program coaches agency teams through an improvement project with potential organizational or system-level impact. By participating in Quest, child and youth mental health and addictions agencies will make improvements following a facilitated Lean Six Sigma methodology, while building organizational capacity for quality improvement (QI) and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. |
What can I expect from the program? |
Those selected to participate in Quest will:
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What coaching supports will I get? |
Beginning in June 2024 project teams will be coached through an improvement project following the DMAIC framework for 6 or 12 months, and may receive support to focus on sustainability, spread and scale, knowledge mobilization and organizational quality planning as required. Our QI coaching team will:
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