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______________________________________________________________________ DIVISION OF WELFARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Child Care Policy Manual Program Violations, Overpayments, & Hearings 700 INVESTIGATIONS & RECOVERY The Investigations and Recovery unit (I&R) oversees and preserves the integrity of the Child Care and Development Program. Substantiation of a violation may be accomplished through, but is not limited to, collateral contacts, automated interfaces, case investigations or eligibility interviews. . 701 Objectives The general objectives of the I&R Unit are: • Detection, prevention, reduction and identification of program fraud and abuse by applicants/customers of child care subsidy benefits and/or child care providers, and/or vendors of DWSS programs. Investigations may lead to administrative action and/or criminal prosecution. Note: "Fraud" means an intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person knowing that by doing so it could result in some type of unauthorized benefit to them or to another person. It includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state law. • Timely recovery of all incorrectly paid program benefits acquired through fraudulent or abusive acts committed by any persons receiving benefits/payments from the Child Care and Development Program. • Sanction of any and all individuals who willfully violate rules for the Child Care and Development Program. 702 General Responsibilities The Division of Welfare and Support Services (DWSS) I&R Unit general responsibilities include: • The detection and reduction of fraud and abuse by customers, providers, and/or vendors of the Child Care program. • Investigation of any individual or group of individuals suspected of attempted or accomplished fraud and/or abuse of any benefit program administered by the Child Care and Development Program and funded by DWSS. • Administrative penalty of Child Care and Development Program applicants or customers who are suspected of intentionally violating program rules. • Criminal prosecution of individuals suspected of criminal acts against programs administered by the Child Care and Development Program and funded by DWSS. • Recovery of funds from established overpayments for the CCDP. 703 Types of Investigations Fraud and abuse investigations are broken down into four primary types: 1. Pre-eligibility (after application, but before subsidy benefit approval); 2. Ongoing eligibility (investigation being conducted while a customer is still currently eligible/ receiving subsidy benefits); 700- Program Violations, Overpayments, Hearings [1] MTL 01/24 July 1, 2024