An official with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the agency has “frozen all child care payments” to the state of Minnesota following allegations of fraudulent activity at day care centers in the state.
In addition to halting payments to Minnesota, HHS is tightening requirements for payments from the Administration for Children and Families to all states. According to Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill, these new measures will require a justification along with a receipt or photo evidence for payments, ensuring increased accountability.
This decision comes in response to an unverified online video circulated by conservative influencer Nick Shirley, which alleges fraud in child care centers within Somali communities in Minneapolis. Minnesota state officials have disputed these allegations.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/hhs-freezing-child-care-payments-minnesota-after-fraud/story?id=128793851