Page 93

CAPS Policy – Program Integrity No.: CAPS/00-16 Effective Date: 10/01/2016 Revised: 03/02/2026 Revision Effective: 03/02/2026

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 93 of 109 LEGAL AUTHORITY: O.C.G.A § 20-1A-10.1; Federal Register: 45 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 98 and 99.

Cross Reference/See Also: CAPS Parent Rights and Responsibilities Policy (CAPS/00-3), CAPS Participating Providers Policy (CAPS/00-11), CAPS Child Care Provider Rights and Responsibilities Policy (CAPS/00-12)

Note: Definitions of words or phrases in bold are located in Definitions and Acronyms. Only the first occurrence of the defined words or phrases are bolded.

16 PROGRAM INTEGRITY

Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for ensuring integrity and accountability of CAPS funds while maintaining continuity of services, through prevention, detection, investigation, sanction, and recoupment processes.

Scope This policy applies to all employees of the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), all parties responsible for the administration of the CAPS program, parents, and child care providers who receive subsidies administered by DECAL on behalf of parents.

CAPS 16.3.1 The CAPS program supports program integrity efforts through data sharing, training, eligibility verification standards, attendance verification standards, provider management, quality assurance reviews, and preemptive disqualification of certain individuals. 16.3.1.1 CAPS will cooperate with other programs and departments within DECAL and other agencies to share information when appropriate to reduce, detect, and prevent improper payments. 16.3.1.2 CAPS will provide training to child care providers, parents, vendors, and staff to reduce and prevent improper payments. 16.3.1.3 CAPS will document and verify eligibility in accordance with CAPS Eligibility Requirements Policy (CAPS/00-6), CAPS Priority Groups Policy (CAPS/00-7), and CAPS Income Calculations Policy (CAPS/00-8) to ensure program dollars are going to eligible families for whom assistance is intended. 16.3.1.4 To ensure accountability of funds, CAPS requires all providers submit specified documents (e.g., Child Care Provider Agreement, W9, published rates) before receiving an initial CAPS payment and annually thereafter, as prescribed in CAPS Provider Rights and Responsibilities Policy (CAPS/00-12). CAPS ensures all CAPS providers comply with initial enrollment and annual renewal requirements. 16.3.1.5 CAPS requires that arrival and departure records and transportation records (if applicable) are maintained for three years as prescribed in CAPS Provider Rights and Responsibilities Policy (CAPS/00-12) and CAPS Health and Safety Standards Policy (CAPS/00-15) to verify that authorized services were provided. 16.3.1.6 CAPS will conduct quality assurance reviews of eligibility determinations and utilize results to inform process improvements and identify training needs. 16.3.1.7 CAPS will conduct attendance verification assessments of provider billing and utilize results to inform process improvements and identify training needs. 16.3.1.8 At DECAL’s sole discretion and not subject to review or appeal, responsible principals or individuals (as defined in 7 C.F.R. 226.2), providers, corporate partners, business entities, and officers may be dismissed and disqualified from CAPS and shall not be enrolled in, participate in, financially benefit from, or be involved in any aspect of CAPS when they are terminated or disqualified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by the Child and Adult Care Food Program