White Papers
NARA, in collaboration with Dr. Richard Fiene, has developed a groundbreaking Child Care & Early Education (CCEE) Program Quality Tool based on the key indicator methodology.
The tool was tested and validated in Saskatchewan in 2023 and demonstrates how quality indicators can fit into a broader monitoring plan across child care, child welfare, and adult care systems. NARA Interrater Reliability Whitepaper (ND) This document, published by the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), focuses on understanding and achieving strong interrater reliability in regulatory administration. Interrater reliability refers to the consistency with which regulators measure and determine compliance with regulations. The paper outlines the importance of strong interrater reliability, emphasizing fairness, objectivity, and consistency in regulatory practices. It highlights five key tenets of interrater reliability, methods for evaluating its strength, and strategies for improvement, such as using interpretive guides, conducting team inspections, seeking professional guidance, and practicing peer reviews. The document also provides a framework for assessing and improving interrater reliability, including quantitative and qualitative analysis, policy modifications, staff training, and regular evaluations. Social Distancing Guidance for Child Care Regulators: Strategies and Best Practices to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission During the Licensing Process (2020) Remote Inspections in Child Care Settings (2020) This paper discusses, shares, and demonstrates the use of Remote Inspections as a means to validate and verify compliance with licensing regulations when it is unsafe or impractical to complete onsite inspections. Privacy, Security, and Choice - Cameras in Assisted Living Settings (Melusky, 2014) The use of video cameras in assisted living settings has increased considerably in recent years, raising questions about how to provide a secure environment while protecting residents’ right to privacy. This article explores the concept of “privacy” as it applies to assisted living, details how state regulatory agencies have addressed the use of cameras in assisted living settings, reports how cameras are used in assisted living facilities, proposes a case-specific evaluation of potential privacy violations through use of a weighted matrix, and provides best practices for camera use in assisted living. Abuse, Restraint, and the PICAR Method (Melusky, 2013) This document will offer definitions of abuse and restraint that are more easily applied in a regulatory context, and will establish a methodology (the “PICAR” method) to determine regulatory compliance or noncompliance that can be applied in both disputed and undisputed cases of abuse and improper use of restraints. Tangential Speculation and the Regulatory Investigation (Melusky, 2012) This document discusses the process and methodology of regulatory investigations in licensed settings, focused on compliance evaluation through a technique called tangential speculation. This document discusses the importance e of strong child care licensing, as a foundation for ensuring quality early care and education, highlighting the need for improved regulatory practices to support optimal child development and school readiness. Regulating Dimensions of Quality in Early Care and Education (Colbert, 2002) This document is a report reviewing research on the dimensions of quality in early care education, focusing on regulatory standards and best practices. Case Against Privatizing Human Care Licensing (Koch, Scalera, 2001) This Position Statement explains why NARA strongly opposes efforts to privatize the licensing and regulation of human care facilities. Announced vs. Unannounced Licensing Inspections (Kroh, 1997) Analyses of the results of from 40 different states/provinces/territories representing child care, child welfare, drug and alcohol, adult residential, adult day care and others regarding requirements and practices around announced and unannounced licensing inspections. This report is an outgrowth of a nine month project to restructure, revise and strengthen Delaware's licensing regulations governing residential child care facilities and day treatment programs.
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