Federal officials tighten childcare funding rules, raising concerns in Michigan

KALAMAZOO,Mich.—Thefederalgovernmenthasannouncednewly-tightenedoversightofbillionsofdollarsinchildcarefundinggiventostatesinasweepingefforttostiflefraud,however,childcareadvocatesareraisingconcernsthatthemovecoulddisruptservicesforfamiliesandprovidersinMichiganaswellasaroundthecountry. TheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(HHS),throughitsAdministrationforChildrenandFamilies,announceditisrescindingaseriesofBiden-erarulesthatrequiredstatestopaychildcareprovidersbeforecarewasdeliveredandbeforeattendancewasverified. Thoseprovisionswerepartofa2024updatetotheChildCareandDevelopmentFund(CCDF),whichismeanttosubsidizecareforlower-incomeworkingfamilies. Federalofficialssaythechangesarenecessaryafterallegedfraudschemesinvolvingfederally-fundedchildcareprograms,particularlyinMinnesota,whichiscurrentlyunderinvestigation. “Congressappropriatedthisfundingtosupportworkingfamiliesandensurechildrenhavesafeplacestogrowan