WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Susan Collins (R) said fraud in federally supported child care programs doesn’t just waste taxpayer money ,it directly reduces the help available to working families who rely on child care services, particularly in rural areas where options are already limited.
Collins made the remarks during a hearing focused on preventing fraud in child care programs, tying the issue to her longstanding support for federal child care initiatives. She said she has backed programs ranging from the Child Care Development Block Grant to tax credits and workforce legislation in an effort to strengthen the nation’s network of child care centers and providers. Even with those efforts, Collins said the system is still “falling woefully short,” especially in many rural communities.
In the exchange, Collins aligned herself with comments previously raised by a senator from Ohio, arguing that dollars lost to fraud are dollars that could otherwise be used to provide quality child care to additional children. She said that reality is what makes oversight and accountability a central focus of the hearing.
Collins then turned to testimony from Dr. Paula Polito, asking about specific safeguards described in Louisiana. Collins referenced the state’s use of daily licensing inspections, along with information that 35% of centers receive unannounced monthly compliance visits. She contrasted those practices with concerns raised by Sen. Patty Murray and emphasized that Louisiana’s model involves state inspectors,not “any random person” walking into a child care center.
Polito confirmed that the visits are conducted by state inspectors and said unannounced oversight is a key element of effective enforcement. She said roughly 25% to 30% of Louisiana’s licensing visits are unannounced, arguing that child care centers should be meeting standards every day, not just on the days inspections are scheduled.
