Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Pilot

A Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systems-building method used by states to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in all types of child care settings.  It builds an infrastructure that supports a clear path to higher quality care and   provides parents and the public with information about each program’s quality.  States typically use licensing standards as the starting point or base of the system, upon which high levels of quality standards are built.  As of mid-2011, 25 states have implemented a statewide QRIS. 

In March 2010, the Quality Care Program (QCP), which is funded by Hawaii’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and administered by the University of Hawaii, Center on the Family (COF), was tasked to design a QRIS for licensed child care programs in Hawaii.  The design proposal—Quality Improvement and rating System (QIrS) Design Model—that was submitted to DHS in June 2011 can be viewed in the attachment below.  After the acceptance of the design proposal, the infrastructure was created in order to pilot the QRIS.

In February 2012, Hawaii began its implementation of a QRIS Pilot for DHS licensed Family Child Care Homes, Group Child Centers, and Infant & Toddler Child Care Centers.  The QRIS Pilot emphasizes quality improvement as the primary purpose of the system.  The QRIS Pilot is funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is administered by the University of Hawaii, Center on the Family (COF).

Attached are working drafts of the QRIS Policies & Procedures Manual and its Appendices which contain the sample drafts of QRIS forms and reports referred to in the QRIS Policies & Procedures Manual.  Since this is a pilot, the QRIS Policies and Procedures Manual and forms may be revised; updated versions will be posted throughout the duration of the pilot.

 QRIS Policies & Procedures Manual (February 2012)

 QRIS Forms and Reports (February 2012)

 Quality Improvement and rating System (QIrS) Design Model (June 2011)

 What is QRIS?

Child Care Licensing

The goal of the Department of Human Services’ Child Care Licensing Program is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children enrolled in licensed facilities by developing and enforcing minimum standards for licensed facilities. Licensing staff monitors compliance with the law and the administrative rules and provides consultation and technical assistance to child care providers.

Child Care Services

The goal of this program is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children enrolled in licensed facilities by developing and enforcing minimum standards for these facilities. Licensing staff monitors compliance with the law and the administrative rules, and provides consultation and technical assistance to child care providers.

• The DHS Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH) program provides families with: subsidies to help with child care expenses; guidance in selecting a child care provider; information about quality child care programs; and referrals to community resources for help with other concerns.  The highest priority is given to children who need out-of-home care for protective service reasons, to assure children’s safety, comfort, and health.  CCCH also helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts and job training by paying a subsidy for their children’s care by DHS-approved child care providers.  Unless child care is provided for protective reasons, there are income and activity requirements for eligibility in this program.  Preschool Open Doors (POD) is a separate program of CCCH that provides state-wide services to families sending their children to a licensed preschool during the school year prior to entering kindergarten.  The POD program’s goal is to contribute to the school readiness of children four years old, and three years old with special needs.  POD focuses on meeting the child’s needs. The parents do not have to have an activity as they do in CCCH.  There is a limited open enrollment period in the spring for this program.
• How To Select A Child Care Provider
• Hawaii Head Start
• Preschool by 4
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