Report Fraud
ELCHC is committed to ensuring that funding is used transparently and appropriately to serve children and families in our community.
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of funding, please let us know.
Common Types of Fraud
Child Care Providers
- Signing a child in when the child is absent in order to be paid for that day
- Asking a parent to sign a child in/out when they have not attended
- Giving false information to receive payment or stay contracted for SR or VPK
- Telling a parent not to report changes to the coalition
Parent/Client
- Failing to accurately report someone in the household such as a “spouse” or “significant other” even if the “significant other” is not the biological parent
- Providing false/altered employment verification or education documents
- Failing to report additional employment income (being employed at two or more jobs)
- Providing a false/altered at-risk referral
How To Report
Please follow these steps to submit your report:
Fill out the form — Provide as much information as you can about the suspected fraud.
Submissions may be made anonymously. Providing your phone number or email may help us follow up if additional information is needed, but it’s completely optional.
Submit your report.
Our team will review your submission promptly and take appropriate action.
All submissions are subject to Florida’s Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and may be disclosed upon request. If you do not wish to have your personal information released, you may submit your report anonymously.
Submissions should not contain profanity, inappropriate language, or defamatory content.
The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough are good stewards of Federal, State and local match dollars. Reporting of fraud is critical in ensuring that families in Hillsborough County receive childcare assistance so desperately needed. Failing to report changes as stated in terms and conditions or providing false/altered documents can result in a fraud referral to the Office of Inspector General. Consequences include termination of childcare assistance, possible arrest and restitution; childcare assistance cannot resume until all legal proceedings are complete and repayment is paid in full. Due process for clients receiving services begins on page 5 of the Anti-Fraud Plan FY 2025-2026.
Childcare providers who fail to accurately report SR or VPK children in attendance, falsify staff records or grant applications, falsify employment documentation of one receiving School Readiness assistance, falsify insurance documents or any contractual required documentation can result in a fraud referral to the Office of Inspector General. Consequences include termination of Provider Contract, possible arrest, restitution and inability to contract with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough for a period of 5 years. Due process procedures for providers are covered in Exhibit 7 of Form OEL-SR 20 of the School Readiness Contract.
