A looming crisis threatens child care access across Minnesota. Officials face a rapidly approaching deadline – next week – to deliver crucial information about providers and families receiving federal funds, or risk a complete shutdown of that funding.
The urgency stems from allegations of fraud within some child care centers, prompting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to freeze all payments to the state. Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) learned of this drastic action, surprisingly, alongside the public – through social media posts.
Despite the financial freeze, the DCYF is instructing providers and families to maintain normal operations, continuing to meet all licensing and certification requirements. However, the email sent to providers offered little clarity on what specific actions, if any, recipients needed to take.
The state agency expressed frustration at the lack of direct communication from the federal government, stating they didn’t receive official notification of the freeze until late Tuesday night – after the public announcement. Now, Minnesota must join all other states in submitting additional verification to unlock further funding.
In response to a viral video highlighting potential issues, the state’s Office of Inspector General swiftly conducted on-site checks at nine child care centers. The video, created by independent journalist Nick Shirley, specifically questioned the activity levels of facilities receiving state assistance.
Investigators reported that most of the centers appeared to be operating normally, with children present. One center was found to be temporarily closed, awaiting its official opening date. However, the DCYF confirmed ongoing investigations at four of those centers, alongside 55 other open investigations related to the Child Care Assistance Program.
Commissioner Tikki Brown acknowledged the widespread attention the video received, stating the department takes the fraud concerns “very seriously.” While questioning the methods used in the video’s creation, she emphasized that prior inspections hadn’t revealed any irregularities, and unannounced visits are now being prioritized.
The situation remains fluid, with the state scrambling to meet the federal deadline and address the underlying concerns about potential misuse of funds. The future of child care support for countless Minnesota families hangs in the balance.
