Some MN child care providers now required to submit electronic attendance records
Feeding Our Future defendant accused of child care fraud
A woman facing charges for allegedly defrauding a child care program is also tied to the Feeding Our Future scheme. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the latest details.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is now requiring some child care providers to use an electronic attendance system after widespread fraud was discovered inside child care centers across the state.
READ MORE: MN fraud: Feeding our Future defendant now facing day care fraud charges
Minnesota requiring child care providers to submit electronic attendance
Big picture view:
DCYF said it started requiring licensed child care centers to submit electronic attendance records on June 22.
The plan is for the requirement to gradually extend to all providers who receive payments from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
DCYF says a centralized electronic attendance reporting system is a key oversight tool to ensure integrity and accountability in Minnesota’s child care programs.
The move comes after widespread fraud was discovered at child care centers across the state.
What they're saying:
DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown shared the following statement: "We take program integrity and continuous improvement seriously. This new electronic attendance system ensures accurate recordkeeping, supports the public's expectation that every dollar goes to help families afford child care, and enables DCYF to enhance service delivery though system modernization."
State officials say the department partnered with IT vendors and child care providers over the past six months to develop a phased approach for the rollout.
What's next:
The department is offering information and technical assistance to help providers adjust to the new requirements.
The Source: This story uses information shared