Governor Greg Abbott has directed Texas state agencies to launch investigations into potential fraud involving subsidized child care funding, citing growing concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars and the need to protect the integrity of state-administered assistance programs.
In a letter sent to state agencies, Abbott instructed officials to take proactive steps to identify, investigate, and eliminate any fraudulent activity within Texas's Child Care Services Program.
The directive follows reports from the Trump administration and independent journalists uncovering what Abbott described as "potential systemic fraud" in subsidized child care systems in other states, including Minnesota.
"Recently, the Trump administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systematic fraud in subsidized child care systems in states like Minnesota," said Abbott. "Such fraud will never be tolerated in Texas. Today, I directed Texas state agencies to take proactive steps to prevent, detect, and eliminate misuse of taxpayer funds to protect the integrity of Texas' Child Care Services Program."
Under Abbott's direction, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will lead the effort in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Commission.
The agencies have been instructed to strengthen existing anti-fraud safeguards, expand oversight mechanisms, and initiate investigations into any suspected misuse or misdirection of child care funds.
The Child Care Services Program provides financial assistance to eligible Texas families to help cover the cost of child care while parents work, attend school, or job training. State leaders have emphasized that safeguarding the program is critical to ensuring support reaches families who qualify for assistance.
Abbott's letter signals heightened scrutiny of how public funds are administered and reflects a broader focus by state leadership on accountability. While no specific instances of fraud in Texas were cited in the announcement, the governor said the investigations are intended to ensure that problems identified in other states do not take root in Texas.
State agencies have not yet released details on the scope or timeline of the investigations, but the letter indicated that the effort will involve data analysis, compliance reviews, and coordination between agencies to quickly address any wrongdoing that may be uncovered.
