Finding Number: 2024-011 Finding Name: Unallowable Costs Charged to the TANF and CCDF Cluster Programs Finding Condition(s): The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) could not provide documentation to support payments made on behalf of beneficiaries of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Fami...
Finding Number: 2024-011 Finding Name: Unallowable Costs Charged to the TANF and CCDF Cluster Programs Finding Condition(s): The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) could not provide documentation to support payments made on behalf of beneficiaries of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Cluster programs. Additionally, the auditors noted that the IDHS does not have adequate controls in place to ensure information provided by providers is accurate and the related child care payments made were appropriate. Name of Contact Person(s): Maureen Bilek, Audit Compliance and Programmatic Monitoring Administrator – Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Corrective Action(s): The IDHS will (1) develop and implement internal procedures to conduct quarterly reviews of billing certificates for payments entered through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, (2) assess existing deliverables, its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) policy and its CCDF State Plan responses related to IVR payments and determine and implement any necessary revisions, (3) develop external guidance for providers and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies outlining IVR payment requirements, documentation standards, record-retention expectations, and the review process, (4) initiate and continue implementation of a communication plan to announce upcoming reviews, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Division of Early Childhood (DEC), CCR&Rs, and all providers utilizing IVR (additional communications will be issued as the process is refined), (5) commence IVR payment reviews in June 2026 and continue on a quarterly basis, and (6) Establish and maintain a master tracking log of provider reviews by year, subject to management review and oversight. Proposed Completion Date: June 30, 2026