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As part of an ongoing commitment to oversight and to instill the necessary public trust in the integrity of Minnesota’s child care centers participating in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is adding additional on-site compliance checks.
Beginning immediately, on-site checks will be conducted by DCYF Office of Inspector General investigators with assistance from agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The partnership reflects a coordinated working relationship between state agencies to protect taxpayer dollars and prevent fraud.
The compliance checks come as Minnesota child care centers report an increase in threats and visits from independent citizens demanding to enter businesses. While DCYF and BCA site visits are unannounced, investigators will always identify themselves as state employees and work to ensure the safety of children, staff and providers during visits.
These on-site compliance checks are in addition to ongoing anti-fraud efforts conducted every day by state and county employees who investigate potential fraud, protecting taxpayer dollars, and thereby ensuring access to quality, safe services for Minnesota families.
“Child care providers are vital to not just families, but Minnesota's economy and communities,” said DCYF Inspector General Randy Keys. “We are committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring all Minnesotans have access to the safe, quality child care and early learning programs communities depend on.”
CCAP reduces the cost of child care for working families, allowing parents to work and go to school, ensuring children are well cared for and thrive as learners, and supporting the state’s workforce and businesses. CCAP supports access to affordable child care for 23,000 children and 12,000 working families across Minnesota during an average month.
Minnesota counties and two Tribal Nations provide child care assistance by processing family applications, verifications, and enrollment and approving payments to providers.
DCYF remains committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud, protect children, support families, and minimize disruption to communities that rely on these essential services.
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