JACKSON, Miss. — A state audit says taxpayers likely paid between $13.8 million and $30.9 million during Federal Fiscal Year 2024 to child care centers for children who were reported absent, and that roughly 20 percent of centers accounted for 90 percent of reported paid absences in Mississippi’s Child Care Payment Program.
The report, released by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor, found more than 13 percent of sampled payments were made for days when recipient children were reported absent. Five centers alone accounted for more than 40 percent of unattended-yet-paid days among sampled centers.
Auditors note federal rules put in place during the Biden administration pay providers based on enrollment rather than daily attendance, meaning centers receive payments whether children show up. Current federal regulations allow providers to continue receiving payments for up to 60 consecutive days of absences before a child’s certificate may be revoked and payments stopped.
“We all remember the massive Minnesota daycare fraud and the ‘Learing Center,’” said White. “While we’ve not yet found something as egregious, taxpayer money is clearly paying centers in Mississippi when kids are not showing up.” He added, “As a father I know that if my kid missed school for even one day, I would get notified immediately. The fact that these centers still receive tax dollars even if the kids are gone for up to two months is completely crazy and a total waste of your tax dollars,” said Auditor White.
The full audit is available under the “Reports” tab on the Auditor’s website by searching “Child Care.” This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
