Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up

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(The Center Square) – The debate over taxpayer-funded child care facilities across Ohio has intensified since State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, called for an investigation earlier this week.

Williams claims there have been multiple reports alleging fraud in publicly funded child care programs that bill the state for children who don’t attend. Williams specifically wants Columbus-area facilities investigated.

In response, Gov. Mike DeWine defended longstanding procedures in place to help prevent fraud similar to reports of alleged fraud in Minnesota. The allegations surfaced in November, when reports stated that millions of taxpayer dollars had been stolen from the state's welfare system and sent to a Somali-based terror group. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced it would freeze $185 million provided to Minnesota day care centers annually. 

Ohio received more than $800 million in federal taxpayer funds for child care services in fiscal year 2024, and the state set aside a total of $1.1 billion on child care.

As the debate grew, conservative social media accounts claimed dozens of Columbus-area day care centers are linked to inactive shell companies, and said their visits to two centers were met with resistance or no answer when they rang the doorbell. 

DeWine said that while people are "rightfully concerned" about the reports of fraud in Minnesota, Ohio has had safeguards in place for years at its nearly 5,200 facilities. 

The state pays them based on attendance, not enrollment, unlike some states. It verifies attendance by requiring a personal identification number with photo confirmation or a location-specific QR code.

Ohio uses cross-department data studies to find fraud, waste and potential misuses of taxpayer funds. Those reviews are done monthly or on a case-by-case basis.

The state welcomes tips from the public on suspected fraud, but DeWine said some social media claims have not been accurate. 

He noted suspicions over a Columbus child care facility after a Google Maps image showed a tobacco shop at the address. 

After investigating the social media tip in October, the state "determined that the Google Maps image was from 2022," DeWine said. "The facility did not open as a daycare until earlier this year."