Child Care Fraud Hurts Everyone!
 
Fraud is the knowing misrepresentation of facts with the intent to obtain something you are not entitled to.

Many providers are currently contracting with subsidized child care programs in an effort to better serve Del Norte County families. The days of just dropping off a child at a babysitter are in the past. Documentation of the children in attendance and the child care hours used are now required by both licensing and the subsidized child care programs. Accurate documentation is crucial to running an efficient child care business and avoids having to deal with possible fraud issues.

The Del Norte Child Care Council Staff will investigate cases of suspected fraud. Often the child care providers or parents are not aware that their actions may be considered fraud. Fraud must be determined on a case-by-case basis but the following are situations that might be considered fraud:

Examples of provider fraud:

  • A provider submits time sheets to a subsidized child care program for times when child care was not provided.
  • Child care is being provided on a prolonged basis by someone other than the one contracted to provide care.
  • The provider is charging higher rates to the subsidized program than to private families.
  • A provider receives child care reimbursements from two different programs for the same child and child care hours.
Examples of client (parent) fraud:
  • A parent continues to use child care from a subsidized program when he/she is no longer in an approved activity.
  • A parent does not report accurate income or increases in income to the subsidized child care program.
  • A parent does not report accurate work or school hours and uses child care he/she is not entitled to.
  • A parent continues to receive child care from a subsidized program when a second parent is in the home and able to provide care.
  • A parent receives child care from two different subsidies for the same child and child care hours.
Where did it go?
Child care providers should always have a parent sign their children in and out of child care on a daily basis. Do not allow the parent to sign for a whole week or a month at a time. Do not use white-out. If a correction is needed, have the parent explain and sign on an attached piece of paper. Be aware of the child care hours being used. If they are exceeding the hours approved by the subsidized program, contact the program worker for approval of the additional hours.

Child care fraud hurts everyone. In a time when State budget cuts are taking place and programs are being scrutinized, it is extremely important to make sure our money is spent in the best possible way. Del Norte County’s child care needs are enormous. The waiting list continues to grow with families wanting to receive subsidized child care services. Fraudulent payments made to a provider for one family may prevent another family from receiving the child care services they need. Del Norte County money and manpower is being spent to investigate fraud. This money that could be spent on services to Del Norte Countyfamilies.

When in doubt, check before you act. Don’t assume something is right just because you know another provider or parent is doing it.

Remember the Rules!
Every time you sign a voucher you are declaring under penalty of perjury that the information is true and the child care was provided for the sole purpose for which the child care was certified. You may be requested to repay any overpayment resulting from false or incorrect claims and you may be prosecuted for fraud, if so determined.
Remember the 5 rules on every voucher:

  1. Full signatures, in ink, AS CARE HAPPENS
  2. Parents must explain absences/differences & sign
  3. Round to the nearest quarter dollar
  4. Submit by noon on the 5th
  5. Checks are mailed on the 15th
 
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