Category Archives: RIKI.Institute@gmail.com

An exciting development has occurred in a child care pilot study in the state of Washington in which a new monitoring methodology appears to be able to build a metric that is effective at determining potential COVID19 infection rates.  The … Continue reading →

1)  It appears that “distancing” is a key element in the spread of the virus.  Square footage, staff-child-ratio and group size are the three standards/regulations that probably have the most impact on “distancing”.  Chances are the fewer staff and children … Continue reading →

The Child Care Trilemma of Affordability, Availability, and Quality had reached somewhat of a balance over the past 50 years since its original identification.  However, recently in the quest to get child care programs back up and running, the balancing … Continue reading →

The iLookOut Research Team from the College of Medicine, Penn State Hershey, Bloomsburg University, New York University, and the University of Oklahoma have recently had their research into cognitive mapping published in the Journal of Distance Education and e-Learning.  Please … Continue reading →

In an earlier email posted on emergency child care, there was mention about the need to develop a new metric dealing with contact hours.  The attached short technical research note provides a methodology for developing such a metric: Since monitoring … Continue reading →

Based upon conversations that have been occurring at the national level I wanted to share the following principles that I think apply to licensing of emergency child care: 1)  We need to rethink the philosophy of “Do No Harm” and … Continue reading →

Here is a concept paper on the need for emergency child care because of the COVID-19 pandemic and how best to meet the need: CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND EMERGENCY CHILD CARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS The two papers mentioned in … Continue reading →

I am going to make a very different post this time versus my past blogs in this column.  What I am sharing: Developmental Time/Space Continuum (DT/SC) Theory (see attached technical research note below) is something I have been working on … Continue reading →

Dr Richard Fiene will be receiving a Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award (PennAEYC Award Announcement) in April of this year.   Dr Fiene’s career spans 5 decades from the early 1970’s until … Continue reading →

Attached below is an invitation to early childhood educators to join the present 326 ECE Exchange Leaders.  This group of early childhood educators, researchers, and scholars have had a tremendous influence on the early childhood field globally.  For those interested, … Continue reading →

Please share your research and evaluation reports about licensing in early care and education (ECE). Send the materials, along with your contact information, to TRLECE@acf.hhs.gov by January 31, 2020. The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) recently posted a request for research … Continue reading →

Attached is the latest research article detailing the iLookOut Study and Program, Penn State, College of Medicine, Center for the Protection of Children: Generalizing findings from a randomized controlled trial to a real-world study of the iLookOut, an online education program … Continue reading →

Below please find links to the CCDF Resource Manual which is a tremendous resource to state agency administrators as they are busy complying with the standards of the Child Care Development Fund.  The Office of Child Care has done a … Continue reading →

The National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) annual licensing seminar is next week.  It brings together key researchers, policy administrators, and licensing staff and administrators to discuss the latest developments in regulatory administration and science.  Attached is an overview highlighting … Continue reading →

Listed in this RIKINotes blog are three RIKIllc Technical Research Notes for psychological scientists (geared for all scientists considering research with regulatory compliance data)(1), ECPQI2M (Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model) data distributions(2), and proposed principles of regulatory … Continue reading →

Here is an article published in the Academic Journal of Economic Studies utilizing the Theory of Regulatory Compliance (Fiene, 2016; 2019).  The study appraises the quality of compliance upheld by selected Nigerian and Ghanaian manufacturing companies to minimum disclosure requirements … Continue reading →

The July-August 2019 Issue of the Child Care Exchange Magazine was just published and I have the distinct honor to be included as one of the new Exchange Leaders announced in this edition of the magazine.  I feel humbled to … Continue reading →

Attached is a technical research note/abstract (RIKInote #75) on proposing a theory of early childhood outcomes based upon the combined impacts of professional development, program quality, and regulatory compliance.  This is an attempt to combine these major systems into a … Continue reading →

We had a wonderful reunion of many of the staff and faculty from Penn State CAECTI – Capital Area Early Childhood Training Institute.  It was wonderful seeing everyone again.  Here is a picture from the reunion.

I am in the midst of preparing to fly to Seattle next week to be part of the Washington State’s Validation Study Kick Off (NARA WA Validation) meetings in Olympia.  This is a really big deal in early care and … Continue reading →

A description of the iLookOut Program for Child Abuse Prevention will appear in the Journal of Early Child Development and Care. It was published online yesterday, June 7, 2019.  Below is the journal eprint. Ilookout for child abuse conceptual and … Continue reading →

Here is the latest news (May 23, 2019) from the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center at Penn State University highlighting events, faculty, staff, students, and affiliates. News and Updates from PRC Faculty, Staff, Students and Affiliates

I got this wonderful news today, it is truly an honor to be included: Dear Rick, Congratulations – you have been chosen to be an Exchange Leader.  You will be included in the article featuring our newest Exchange Leaders in the … Continue reading →

The Journal of Regulatory Science is publishing “A Treatise on the Theory of Regulatory Compliance (Fiene TRC JRS 7 2019)” this month (Volume 7)(doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v07fiene).  This article presents the latest research and thinking in how this theory impacts regulatory science and … Continue reading →

The iLookOut Child Abuse Prevention program has clearly demonstrated that it significantly improves knowledge about abuse, and attitudes regarding what is needed to protect children from harm and has resulted in individuals feeling better prepared to respond to child maltreatment.  … Continue reading →

Dr. Philip Zimbardo is an influential psychologist best-known for his 1971 Stanford prison experiment. Many psychology students may also be familiar with his psychology textbooks and the Discovering Psychology video series often used in high school and psychology classrooms. Zimbardo is also … Continue reading →

It is exciting to announce a new differential monitoring project in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada being done by NARA – National Association for Regulatory Administration.   This project will assist the Ministry of Education in developing a full blown differential … Continue reading →

RIKI Technical Research Note #70 – Effectiveness and Efficiency Relationship with resultant Cost Benefit Analysis modeling based upon data from the Theory of Regulatory Compliance.  This technical research note depicts a graphic display of the relationship between effectiveness and efficiency … Continue reading →

Child Care Aware published a very significant report (Child Care Aware of America’s Child Care Licensing Database: Initial Findings) on state licensing throughout the USA.  It builds upon their innovative reports “We Can Do Better“.  This new report series utilizes … Continue reading →

There is a major movement within the human services involving big data where rather than selecting samples to do analyses state/provincial agencies have the capability to provide basically population data.  For the Theory of Regulatory Compliance as it involves the … Continue reading →

NARA – National Association for Regulatory Administration conducted a presentation in Indiana on differential monitoring and key indicators (February 14, 2019).  Please go to the following Facebook Live link to see the presentation: Facebook Live Link  

The Relationship between Early Care & Education Quality Initiatives and Regulatory Compliance: RIKIllc Technical Research Note #67 Richard Fiene, Ph.D. February 2019   Over the past couple of decades there has been many early care and education initiatives, such as Quality … Continue reading →

Here is an interesting Early Care and Education Dissertation completed by a doctoral student at the University of South Carolina, Wenjia Wang.  “The purposes of this study were to investigate the significance of the impact of CCR&R services using a coaching … Continue reading →

The following article appeared in the Boston Globe this morning: With New Day-Care Inspection System, High Caseloads and Shorter Visits – The Boston Globe

Some Technical Considerations in Using Complaint Data and Regulatory Compliance Data: RIKIllc Technical Research Note #66 Richard Fiene, Ph.D. January 2019   As promised in RIKIllc Technical Research Note #65, this Note will provide details on the and analytical considerations … Continue reading →

What is the Relationship between Regulatory Compliance and Complaints Richard Fiene, Ph.D. January 2019   Within licensing measurement and the validation of licensing systems it is particularly difficult to have specific outcome metrics that can be measured within a human services … Continue reading →

I thought it important to share with researchers who may be doing ECE research on Licensing, QRIS – Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, and ERS – Environmental Rating Scales.  Usually when we are doing research, we find the data to … Continue reading →

Here is a RIKIllc brief technical research note on the Theory of Regulatory Compliance and quadratic regressions: Theory of Regulatory Compliance and Quadratic Regression   

Attached please find a Technical Research Note on the Evolution of Differential Monitoring with special emphasis on Key Indicators and Risk Assessment. Evolution of Differential Monitoring

Having children properly immunized is a very important goal within public health.  It helps to protect children’s health.  Within early care and education programs, immunizations are both a standard of care as well as an outcome of that care.  Recently, … Continue reading →

After returning from a stimulating week at the National Association for Regulatory Administration’s (NARA) Licensing Seminar and the Expert Licensing Panel hosted by NARA and the National Center for Early Childhood Quality Assurance (NCECQA), I learned about a new resource … Continue reading →

Below I have a hotlink to a chart and graphic display which provides additional detail to an earlier RIKI Blog post on a three state standards validation study using Stepping Stones to Caring for Our Children.   The chart provides the … Continue reading →

The National Association for Regulatory Administration’s Licensing Seminar was held in Williamsburg, Virginia from September 24-26th along with the Expert Licensing Panel hosted by the National Center for Early Childhood Quality Assurance from September 26th-27th. Here is the URL – NARA … Continue reading →

Attached to this blog is a technical research note outlining the three theory of regulatory compliance models that have been used over the past 40 years describing the essence of this theory.  It is interesting to note that the three … Continue reading →

It is with great excitement that I share with you today two very significant publications from the Washington State’s Department of Children, Youth and Families which outline their research agenda for licensing of early care and education programs.  These publications … Continue reading →

The past several posts to this blog have dealt with standards, rules/regulations, Caring for Our Children, and unlicensed child care.  This specific post presents some initial analyses of doing a validation study of regulations in three states using as the … Continue reading →

Here is the article and comprehensive data base for the Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model (ECPQIM) I have been suggesting to use as a systems approach for monitoring and evaluating early care and education programs. ECPQIM – … Continue reading →

The following two links provide interesting newspaper articles for parents and policy makers that fit nicely with my two previous blog posts on Caring for Our Children Basics and the Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care. Unlicensed … Continue reading →

For those who follow my RIKI Website and Blog, I have in two previous RIKI Blogs posted Generic Key Indicators for Early Care and Education and Caring for Our Children Basics for state administrators.  In this blog, I want to … Continue reading →

I get asked all the time what are the most salient generic key indicators from all the various sectors of the early care and education system, such as regulatory compliance/licensing, professional development and quality rating improvement systems (QRIS).  I have … Continue reading →

Caring for Our Children Basics has fallen off the radar screen when it comes to monitoring, regulatory compliance and standards development in early care and education (ECE).   This is a very important set of standards that has distilled the most … Continue reading →

The second NARA Key Indicator Facilitated Dialogues session was held yesterday (June 15, 2018) in which Dr Fiene discussed the evolution of the Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model, the Differential Monitoring Logic Model and Algorithm, and his … Continue reading →

Key Indicator System: Facilitated Dialogues this Friday, June 15th Join Dr. Fiene and NARA at  3-4pm AT |2-3pm ET |1-2pm CT |12-1pm MT | 11-12pm PT | 10-11am AKT Child Care | Adult Care | Child Welfare   NARA is excited to present facilitated dialogues on Key Indicators with Dr. Rick … Continue reading →

Here are two technical research notes/short papers on regulatory compliance skewness and scaling for decision making.  The first note deals with the issues associated with the terrible skewness found in regulatory compliance data while the second research note proposes a … Continue reading →

Here is the most recent simplified version of the Fiene Algorithm for Generating Regulatory Compliance Key Indicators (RCKI) Add up regulatory non-compliances for all programs, agencies, jurisdictions, etc… Review Regulatory Compliance history sorted from high to low Nominal (Compliance(1)/Non-Compliance(0)) or … Continue reading →

Here are a series of publications, documents, technical notes, and slides for licensing administrators related to licensing measurement & systems, and regulatory compliance to keep in mind as they design and implement their monitoring systems: LICENSING MEASUREMENT CHAPTER2 Instrument-Based Program … Continue reading →

I have attached a short technical paper (TRC Ordinal Scale Licensing Measurement ) on moving from the predominant licensing measurement paradigm which measures rules and standards at a nominal scale level to an ordinal scale level.  By introducing this alternate … Continue reading →

Here are an assortment of flyers and brochures developed by the Research Institute for Key Indicators LLC (RIKILLC) and the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) describing the Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model (ECPQI2M), Key Indicators (KI), … Continue reading →

The following three journal articles published in 2013, 2015, and 2017 focus on the key components of ECPQI2M – Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement and Indicator Model in regulatory program compliance (1IJCCEP), program quality via Quality Rating & Improvement Systems … Continue reading →

I have had the opportunity to work on some very interesting projects over the past 40 years+ as a research psychologist and professor. I have worked with many National Organizations; Federal, Local and State Agencies; and private human service agencies … Continue reading →

Here are some notes that I hope will generate a good deal of thinking about how we approach reality given some random observations about data (mathematics and statistics), psychology (public policy) and physics (time and space).  This is very different … Continue reading →

Attached is a paper that describes the basic tenets/elements of building an effective and efficient program monitoring system for human services.  State administrators are constantly under pressure to ensure the health and safety of clients (effectiveness) while not being overly … Continue reading →

Here is a very short paper/abstract entitled:  Three Things We Have Learned about Key Indicators, Risk Assessments, and Differential Monitoring over the past 40+ years of doing research on these methodologies. KI, RA, DM National Update    

In this blog I have a new Technical Research Paper on how best to make regulatory compliance decisions.  “The purpose of the paper is to provide guidance to regulatory administrators in decision making regarding the Key Indicator Methodology. A 2 x … Continue reading →

NARA’s Key Indicator System: Facilitated Dialogues was held on Friday, March 23 Participants joined Dr. Fiene and NARA at the following time to discuss Key Indicators, Licensing Measurement & Systems  3-4pm AT |2-3pm ET |1-2pm CT |12-1pm MT | 11-12pm PT | 10-11am AKT Child Care | Adult Care … Continue reading →

Key Indicator System: Facilitated Dialogues this Friday, March 23 Join Dr. Fiene and NARA at  3-4pm AT |2-3pm ET |1-2pm CT |12-1pm MT | 11-12pm PT | 10-11am AKT Child Care | Adult Care | Child Welfare   NARA is excited to present facilitated dialogues on Key Indicators with Dr. Rick … Continue reading →

NARA (National Association for Regulatory Administration) is excited to present new, facilitated dialogues on Key Indicators with Dr. Rick Fiene, the father of the Key Indicator System. The Key Indicator System methodology applies across all licensing areas; these dialogues will allow … Continue reading →

Key Indicator System: Facilitated Dialogues w/ Dr. Rick Fiene NEW! FOR PROFESSIONALS IN… Child Care | Adult Care | Child Welfare In partnership with Dr. Rick Fiene, NARA is starting facilitated dialogues on Key Indicator Systems. The Key Indicator System … Continue reading →

MARCH WEBINAR KEY INDICATORS FOR ADULT CARE NARA Webinar: Key Indicator Systems in Adult Care Settings – A Powerful Resource Thursday, March 8 2018 – Register today! 1:30pm AT 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT 8:30am AKT Key Indicator Systems identify a statistically-validated … Continue reading →

Here is an oldie but one that is worth sharing since we are celebrating Fred Rogers 50th Anniversary of Mr Rogers Neighborhood:  creation of the Early Childhood Task Force with Mr Rogers as the honorary chairperson as signed by then … Continue reading →

This is one of the most interesting initiatives and solutions in early care and education that I have seen.  It is like the “Nobel Prize” for Early Childhood Education.  What a great idea!  So collaborative and creative.   Please check out … Continue reading →

Attached is a new OPRE Research Report on the Validation of Quality Ratings Used in QRIS – Quality Rating and Improvement Systems: Validation of Quality Ratings in QRIS

NARA Webinar: Theory of Regulatory Compliance Thursday, January 25, 2018 – Register today! 1:30pm AT 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PT 8:30am AKT The theory of regulatory compliance is the basis for risk assessment, key indicators and differential monitoring. Without … Continue reading →

The iLookOut for Child Abuse Online Training Program sponsored by the  Center for the  Protection of Children and Department of Humanities, Penn State Hershey and funded by National Institute for Child Health and Human Development is a must see for human service state … Continue reading →

Here are two technical research notes which depict licensing and quality data distributions from several states and national data bases maintained by the Research Institute for Key Indicators (RIKILLC). Licensing and Quality Descriptive Statistics with Graphic Licensing and Program Quality … Continue reading →

The following article is being published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, Volume 31, Issue 6, November–December 2017, Pages 684-694:  Caring for Our Children Health and Safety Standards Into Child Care Practice: Child Care Health Consultation Improves Infant and Toddler Care.  This … Continue reading →

The BUILD Initiative – QRIS National Learning Network, NECQAC – National Early Childhood Quality Assurance Center, and NARA- National Association for Regulatory Administration have collaborated on the development and implementation of a major initiative with ten states dealing with more … Continue reading →

NARA Webinar: The Importance of Key Indicators and Risk Assessment in a New National ECE Monitoring System and the Introduction of a new Coaching Model   Thursday, September 28, 2017 – Register Today!   We will explore how key indicator and risk … Continue reading →

The National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) is holding its 25th Annual Licensing Seminar next month.  Please see the attached brochure which highlights this premier seminar on regulatory administration and compliance in the human services field (NARA 2017 Seminar Program). … Continue reading →

Here is a listing of RIKILLC past and present clients and collaborators as well as proposals that have been submitted to clients and interested clients who have contacted RIKILLC related to services, and expert witness engagements or consults to give … Continue reading →

Here are two new resources from the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (ECQA Center): National Program Standards Crosswalk Tool Developing and Revising Child Care Licensing Requirements “The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (ECQA Center) is pleased … Continue reading →

Here is a link to the Journal of Pediatric Health Care which published a very significant study on how child care health consultation improves infant and toddler care.

I have attached two documents by Dr Barbara Carl, Penn State University:  the CCIS – Child Caregiver Interaction Scale and a powerpoint presentation regarding the tool.  This tool is a wonderful example of an effective and efficient observation tool to … Continue reading →

Many of you have asked what is the best way for getting in touch with me.  Here is my latest contact information: Dr Richard Fiene, Research Psychologist & Director Research Institute for Key Indicators LLC (RIKILLC) 717-598-8908 Fiene@RIKInstitute.com Email continues … Continue reading →

The Pennsylvania State University Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center has updated their website recently: http://www.prevention.psu.edu/  

  This is a new NARA Flyer describing the Licensing Key Indicator Systems.  The flyer provides an overview to the key indicator methodology and its possible uses within agencies: Please click on the following Link: NARA Licensing Key Indicators   … Continue reading →

    Here is a collaborative effort between NARA and Montana describing the Key Indicator System Methodology: NARA – National Association for Regulatory Administration Key Indicator Powerpoint Presentation and Audio: (https://zoom.us/recording/play/4L2v_U3rxDuNe5bZDPpR8mEXaIpkXzunaG_H8k0hWULjUVJ6CiqTeo0NmMVpHQyw)  

NARA Webinar: A Canadian Perspective: Implementing Tiered Licensing in the Province of Ontario Thursday, June 22 Register Today! Faced with growing caseloads for their child care inspectors, the province of Ontario recently implemented a “tiered” approach to allocating licensing resources. Under … Continue reading →

The RIKI (Research Institute for Key Indicators) Institute, directed by Dr Richard Fiene, Retired Professor of Psychology and Human Development, Penn State University, focus is to improve the quality of early care and education programs nationally and internationally through an … Continue reading →

NARA – National Association for Regulatory Administration will be hosting a Webinar (February 23rd) on Regulatory Compliance Monitoring Paradigms.  Please see the following URL for additional information: NARA Webinar Announcement The Penn State Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center Webpage … Continue reading →

Here are several Technical Research Notes and Papers updating, refining, and validating the differential monitoring, risk assessment and key indicator methodologies: Regulatory Compliance Matrices Theory of Regulatory Compliance & Regulatory Compliance Monitoring Paradigm Matrix Research Notes Key Indicator Methodology 2015 … Continue reading →

Here are some working papers and graphics I have started to work on to provide  direction and guidance for regulatory compliance monitoring at both the state and national levels.  Most of the examples are from early care and education but the concepts are generic and can be applied to any public or private human service […]

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If you are in need of empirically based decision making via big data analysis, RIKILLC may be a resource you explore.  RIKILLC can help organizations, agencies, and businesses as they wade through the reams of data swirling in their various … Continue reading →

Here are some working papers and graphics I have started to work on to provide  direction and guidance for regulatory compliance monitoring at both the state and national levels.  Most of the examples are from early care and education but … Continue reading →

As I reflect over the past year thinking about early care and education, I couldn’t be more thankful for the tremendous strides we have made as a field and where we are headed.  I have been lucky enough to be … Continue reading →

Here are the two versions of the RIKI Book of Readings for ECPQIM/DMLMA: 1)  Main Reports and Papers, 486 pages (15 MB).  This research monograph/book of readings/reports/papers contains the basic reports written during 2012-2016 related to ECPQIM/DMLMA now in its … Continue reading →