Following investigations into widespread fraud in Minnesota social services programs, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is directing two state agencies to look for similar fraud in the Lone Star State.
The governor’s office said Monday that Abbott sent a letter directing state agencies to launch investigations into potential child care funding fraud in Texas.
“Recently, the Trump Administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systematic fraud in subsidized child care systems in states like Minnesota,” said Abbott. “Such fraud will never be tolerated in Texas. Today, I directed Texas state agencies to take proactive steps to prevent, detect, and eliminate misuse of taxpayer funds to protect the integrity of Texas’s Child Care Services Program.”
The governor’s letter was sent to Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Jose Esparza and Texas Health and Human Services Commission Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth.
In his letter, Abbott said anti-fraud measures already in place have reduced Texas’s improper payment rate to .43% compared to roughly 11% in Minnesota, but that more should be done to protect the integrity of Texas’s Child Care Services Program.
Abbott directed the agencies to “launch investigations into any potential fraud and misdirection of Texas taxpayer dollars” and to report back to him by the end of the month after taking the following actions:
- Identify high-risk providers who participate in the Child Care Services Program and conduct additional site visits of those providers to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations;
- Review current data collection efforts related to the Child Care Services Program and ensure TWC and Local Workforce Development Boards are taking all possible steps to prevent, detect, and eliminate fraudulent activity within the program;
- Ensure that all providers participating in the Child Care Services Program are accurately and verifiably reporting the number of children enrolled in the program;
- Conduct reviews of Child Care Services Program oversight processes for Local Workforce Development Boards to verify that standards of the program are uniformly upheld. For any boards that do not meet standards, corrective action shall be taken, including but not limited to providing additional training and education resources;
- Enhance access to their online portal and hotline, so Texans can easily report instances of fraud in Texas’ childcare system; and
- Submit all completed provider fraud investigations to federal or state prosecutors as appropriate.