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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 96 of 109 calendar days from the date of the notice on an appealable or adverse action taken by DECAL. 16.4.4.5 Findings of noncompliance that resulted in increased benefits may be pursued for recoupment and a claim may be established. Claims less than $600 may be processed by CAPS Adverse Actions and Claims. Claims $600 or more may be referred to DECAL’s Audits and Compliance Division for investigation. 16.4.5 DECAL may pursue any and all legal or equitable remedies available to the CAPS program in accordance with applicable state and federal laws or regulations to recoup claims in full. 16.4.5.1 DECAL has the right to enter into repayment agreements with parents to ensure that all claims are collected in full and within 24 months. 16.4.5.2 Parents may complete the Parent Repayment Statement to determine the amount and frequency of claim payments. The parent must adhere to all terms of the repayment statement. 16.4.5.3 Claims may be repaid through a lump sum or monthly installments. Information regarding payment arrangements can be found in CAPS Managing Program Integrity Procedure (CAPS/01-08). 16.4.5.4 DECAL reserves the right to enter into a hardship agreement with a parent whereby the recoupment rate may be reduced for a specific time frame. Hardship agreements are approved at the sole discretion of DECAL. Hardships include but are not limited to illness, job loss, unexpected expenses or loss of income due to the death of a family member, and unstable family situations involving child custody problems or Child Protective Services.

Child Care Providers 16.5.1 Child care providers support program integrity by complying with CAPS Provider Rights and Responsibilities Policy (CAPS/00-12). Most notably, providers are expected to bill only for services provided and supported by arrival and departure records and transportation records maintained as prescribed in CAPS Health and Safety Standards Policy (CAPS/00-15). In addition, providers are expected to comply with the initial enrollment and annual renewal processes as well as all assessments, reviews, and investigations.

16.5.2 CAPS will detect potential program integrity concerns related to child care providers through attendance verification assessments, risk-based compliance reviews, and referrals. 16.5.2.1 CAPS conducts attendance verification assessments of provider billing records. Providers are typically required to submit arrival and departure records and transportation records for a specified month as instructed in the review notification. The purpose of attendance verification assessments is to support provider compliance. Failure to provide records timely may result in a referral to DECAL’s Audits and Compliance Division. 16.5.2.2 DECAL’s Audits and Compliance Division conducts risk-based compliance reviews. Providers are typically required to submit arrival and departure records and transportation records for a specified three-month period within 15 calendar days from the date the notice was received. The review period may be widened at DECAL’s discretion. The purpose of compliance reviews is to identify and recoup improper payments; however, additional sanctions may also be imposed at the discretion of CAPS administration. 16.5.3 DECAL’s Audits and Compliance Division conducts investigations related to provider billing. 16.5.3.1 Child care providers may be referred for investigation when conflicting information has been submitted, when information submitted appears to be altered or falsified, when there is an overpayment, or at the discretion of the CAPS program. Requests for investigations should be submitted using Appendix V and sent to:

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Audits and Compliance Division