A lawmaker wants oversight for the state daycare program.
In response to a state audit of the Wisconsin Shares child care program, New Berlin Republican Mark Gundrum is introducing legislation to make sure felons don’t work with our children, or bilk the taxpayers of tens of thousands of dollars. Gundrum says the dangerous criminals should not be licensed child-care providers.
“Dangerous child abuse offenses, financial fraud convictions against them … these are individuals who have no business being in the Wisconsin Shares program. They represent a danger and safety threat to Wisconsin’s children.”
After reading a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report , Gundrum says Wisconsin Shares is out-of-control and he’s calling for major reforms to the system.
“If you’re a felon in the state of Wisconsin you can get a license from the state and get tens of thousands of dollars for watching children through the Wisconsin Shares program. Now that’s a very scary proposition.”
The Legislative Audit Bureau shows nearly $20-million of misspending in the Wisconsin Shares program last year. Fraud and other problems were found in dozens of cases. The report shows that child care providers received money for children they didn’t even have. Gundrum says this case “screams for legislative oversight and reform.”
The Department of Children and Families oversees the program.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:20 MP3)
