Category Archives: RIKI.Institute@gmail.com

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, Senior Research Psychologist & Director Research Institute for Key Indicators LLC (RIKILLC) 717-598-8908 RFiene@RIKInstitute.com Email … 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 →

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 →