What is the ERIS?

The Effectiveness Rating and Improvement System (ERIS) is a quality assessment instrument developed by the Department of Defense to evaluate civilian child care programs (for children ages birth to twelve). The ERIS will be used as an evaluation tool for programs that are not accredited by a designated nationally recognized accrediting body. The ERIS will evaluate the quality and effectiveness of programs that volunteer to participate in the Department of Defense Quality Child Care Expansion Project. The assessment process will include a desk review of provider materials and, if appropriate, an on-site visit that identifies a program’s strengths and challenges. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, recommended programs may be eligible for benefits in the form of equipment, supplies, facility improvements, additional training or subsidy payments for the child care space for eligible Department of Defense children. Programs that become Approved Providers in the Department of Defense Quality Child Care Expansion Project will be re-evaluated every two years using the ERIS to ensure continued compliance with the standards. In addition, programs that participate in the Expansion Project agree to allow the Department of Defense or designated representatives access to the facility/program for oversight purposes.

The ERIS standards represent practices that support organizational performance and positive service delivery outcomes. The ERIS is based on the research of Dr. Richard Fiene (affiliated with Penn State Harrisburg School of Behavioral Sciences and Education), widely recognized standards and models of excellence, and national best practices. These standards have been developed through formally gathered information; use of expert panels and advisory work groups; informal discussion with human service organizations; review of current published research and professional literature; and utilization of existing Department of Defense instructions and internal certification processes.

The ERIS incorporates criteria used by military child care programs and components of standards and regulations required by state licensing agencies. It is administered through this website and requires Yes/No responses to a range of standards in the following 16 categories.

• Staff-Child Ratio & Group Size
• Background Checks & Child Abuse Prevention
• Director Requirements
• Teaching Staff Requirements
• Training Requirements
• Immunization
• Supervision & Guidance
• Evacuation Procedures
• Hand Washing & Diapering
• Medication & Health
• Emergency Plan & Contact Information
• Outdoor Play Areas
• Hazardous Materials and General Safety
• Family (Parent) Involvement
• Relationship Building and Interaction (evaluated during site visit)
• Developmentally Appropriate Environment and Materials (evaluated during site visit)

The process of completing the ERIS will require that certain supporting documentation must be uploaded to accompany the ERIS.

The ERIS will determine a program’s placement within a three-tiered level of program quality (Licensed, Licensed Plus, or Approved Providers).

• Licensed Providers are state licensed or regulated providers participating in the Expansion Project that currently do not meet the ERIS standards or have not achieved accreditation from a national accrediting body recognized by the Department of Defense. Licensed Providers can access and utilize any of the tools and resources available on the Expansion Project website to improve their level of quality based on standards identified in the ERIS. In addition, Licensed Providers are eligible for various training and technical opportunities.
• Licensed Plus Providers are state licensed or regulated providers participating in the Expansion Project that partially meet the ERIS standards or have not achieved accreditation from a national accrediting body recognized by the Department of Defense. Licensed Plus Providers are eligible for training and technical assistance and may also be eligible for equipment, supplies, and facility improvements.
• Approved Providers are state licensed or regulated providers participating in the Expansion Project that either fully or substantially meet the ERIS standards or have achieved accreditation from a national accrediting body currently recognized by the Department of Defense. Approved Providers may be eligible for additional benefits in the form of equipment, supplies, facility improvements, additional training or subsidy payments for the child care space for eligible Department of Defense children.