OHIO DAYCARE FRAUD

 Dewine-Ohio daycare fraud

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Governor Mike DeWine has firmly defended Ohio's publicly funded child care system against recent viral rumors of widespread, state-funded day care fraud. The controversy emerged after high-profile allegations in Minnesota led to a federal funding freeze, subsequently sparking unproven online videos that targeted Somali-run day care centers in Columbus. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

In response, DeWine and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) highlighted the state's stringent anti-fraud safeguards: [1, 2]

Attendance-Based Reimbursements: Ohio pays day care facilities based on actual child attendance, rather than enrollment. The state only reimburses for physical days, bypassing federal mandates that push for enrollment-based payments. [1, 2, 3]
Verified Check-Ins: The state requires parents to verify attendance using a location-specific QR code or a Personal Identification Number (PIN) paired with photo confirmation. [1, 2]
State Investigations: In 2025, DCY conducted over 10,000 unannounced inspections, resulting in the closure of 38 child care centers and financial repayments for over 60 overpayment cases. [1]

DeWine also firmly warned vigilantes or social media investigators to stop attempting to enter child care centers, reminding the public that it is illegal for unauthorized individuals to enter these facilities. [1]