New rules to prevent child care fraud, first welfare increase in 33 years

May 25-- May 25--Some of the more controversial topics of this year's legislative session were about how to fund social programs and oversee them for fraud.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Lawmakers moved to tighten oversight of child care assistance after an investigation by the state Legislative Auditor, a government watchdog, reported it was difficult to gauge how much fraud was in the program.

The health and human services budget includes new rules to improve federal compliance and better ensure child care funds are spent properly. That includes tough rules for taking attendance and more money for fraud prevention.

There's also new efforts to educate providers.

Lawmakers did not pursue a plan by Republicans to freeze funding in the Child Care Assistance Program. Democrats said doing so would hurt the low-income families that rely on the child care money so they can work.

FIRST WELFARE INCREASE

Benefits in the Minnesota Family Investment Program are set to increase for the first time in 33 years. Under the budget deal, families on the state's welfare-to-work program will see $100 a month increase in cash assistance.

The increase has been a perennial issue at the Capitol and had bipartisan support, but failed to make it into past years budgets. Advocates for the working-poor say the increase will have a big impact on families.

REINING IN COSTS

Growth in the health and human services budget has been a key frustration for Republicans and the next state budget creates a new task force to find ways to cut spending and waste.

The Blue Ribbon Panel will look for ways to stop fraud and abuse and save the state $100 million by 2023.

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