Accumulating evidence indicates that incorporating youth development (YD) principles, strategies, and supports into an organization promotes positive adult and youth outcomes. However, few validated measures assess this type of capacity. The YMCA commissioned a study to validate its Capacity Assessment for Youth Development Programming (Y-CAP), which examines the organizational infrastructure required to implement YD programs and processes in seven areas. Survey development was an iterative process informed by existing frameworks, instruments, and pilot testing of items. The Y-CAP was reviewed and revised three times prior to this study, with a final round of revisions made at the start of the validation phase as a result of thorough content, survey methodology, and psychometrics reviews. The revised Y-CAP was completed by 123 YMCA implementation teams. Rasch analyses were used to determine the extent to which validity evidence supports the use and interpretation of the Y-CAP scores. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing Y-CAP scales to the Algorhythm staff survey for youth-serving organizations, and focus groups informed the consequential validity of the Y-CAP. The results provide strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the Y-CAP, which can be used to guide continuous quality improvement initiatives that support capacity and functioning in youth-serving organizations and programs.

越来越多的证据表明，将青年发展 (YD) 原则、战略和支持纳入组织可以促进积极的成人和青年成果。然而，很少有经过验证的措施评估这种类型的能力。YMCA 委托进行了一项研究，以验证其青年发展规划能力评估 (Y-CAP)，该研究检查了在七个领域实施 YD 计划和流程所需的组织基础设施。调查开发是一个迭代过程，受现有框架、工具和项目试点测试的影响。在本研究之前，Y-CAP 已经过三次审查和修订，最后一轮修订在验证阶段开始时进行，这是对内容、调查方法和心理测量学审查的结果。修订后的 Y-CAP 由 123 个 YMCA 实施团队完成。Rasch 分析用于确定有效性证据支持 Y-CAP 分数的使用和解释的程度。通过将 Y-CAP 量表与针对青年服务组织的 Algorhythm 员工调查进行比较来评估收敛效度，焦点小组告知 Y-CAP 的相应效度。结果为 Y-CAP 的可靠性和有效性提供了强有力的证据，可用于指导持续的质量改进计划，以支持青年服务组织和计划的能力和运作。通过将 Y-CAP 量表与针对青年服务组织的 Algorhythm 员工调查进行比较来评估收敛效度，焦点小组告知 Y-CAP 的相应效度。结果为 Y-CAP 的可靠性和有效性提供了强有力的证据，可用于指导持续的质量改进计划，以支持青年服务组织和计划的能力和运作。通过将 Y-CAP 量表与针对青年服务组织的 Algorhythm 员工调查进行比较来评估收敛效度，焦点小组告知 Y-CAP 的相应效度。结果为 Y-CAP 的可靠性和有效性提供了强有力的证据，可用于指导持续的质量改进计划，以支持青年服务组织和计划的能力和运作。