For Immediate Release
October 22, 2009
Contact: Erika Monroe-Kane, Department of Children and Families, 608-266-9000
Department of Children and Families Announces Creation of Child Care Anti-Fraud Task Forces
Today, two new task forces were announced that will investigate and prosecute fraud in the Wisconsin Shares program. Announced by Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Reggie Bicha, Racine County Executive William McReynolds and Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser, these task forces and DCF will share information, resources, and skills to find, investigate and prosecute criminals committing Wisconsin Shares fraud.
Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds said, "Fraud in public programs is simply unacceptable, and we don't tolerate it. I'm delighted that the Department of Children and Families will be a full partner with Racine County, the Sheriff and District Attorney, and the Racine and Mount Pleasant Police Departments in combating child care fraud in our county."
"Kenosha County is taking this issue very seriously. This is a program that was designed to protect our most vulnerable citizens -- children. It was not designed to line the pockets of criminals. We are working with our Sheriff's Department, the District Attorney's Office and the state on a pro-active approach to go after those who are committing fraud," stated Jim Kreuser, Kenosha County Executive.
DCF has been achieving results by attacking fraud in new ways. This local initiative will complement DCF efforts already underway to combat fraud. DCF worked with the legislature to make it possible to suspend providers if fraud is reasonably suspected. The Department has also created a fraud detection and prevention unit and contracted with an investigative firm specializing in public subsidy fraud investigations. Additionally, DCF also launched a child care fraud hotline and web page where tips can be submitted. These efforts are already achieving results as DCF suspended 99 child care providers suspected of fraud from the Shares program in the past four weeks.
"Working together, we will hold accountable those criminals stealing from hard-working taxpayers," stated Reggie Bicha, DCF Secretary. "By providing counties with additional support as they tackle this program locally and by continuing our work at the state-level, more providers who are scamming the system will be brought to justice."
To report suspicions of fraud, call the DCF child care fraud hotline at 877-302-FRAUD (877-302-3728) or visit the DCF website at www.dcf.wisconsin.gov to submit tips directly to the fraud detection and prevention unit. For regular updates on DCF anti-fraud activity, DCF has created an RSS feed which can be subscribed to on the DCF website.
ABOUT DCF
The Department of Children and Families, created last year, is dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families and building communities. Over the past 15 months, DCF has delivered on this commitment by creating immediate results and establishing a foundation for future impact and improvements.
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