Summary

This operational audit of the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) focused on the issuance of licenses to and the collection of fees from providers of child care services and substance abuse services.  Our audit covered the period July 2006 through February 2008, and selected Department actions through July 2008.

Child Care Provider Licensing

Finding No. 1:         The Department’s licensing process did not always ensure child care providers met the legal requirements for licensure.

Child Care Operator Substitutes

Finding No. 2:         The Department did not always obtain the required documentation for substitute child care providers.

Child Care Provider Inspections

Finding No. 3:         The Department did not timely perform follow-up inspections to verify that inspection violations had been corrected by child care providers.

Disciplinary Actions for Child Care Providers

Finding No. 4:         The Department’s procedures did not ensure consistent disciplinary actions were taken against providers for violations of laws and rules.

Sexual Offender Address Cross-Match

Finding No. 5:         The Department did not have procedures in place to periodically compare the addresses of child care homes and facilities to the addresses of registered sexual predators and offenders.

Licensing Fee Collection Procedures

Finding No. 6:         Circuit procedures related to cash collections needed improvement.

Licensing Fee Deposits

Finding No. 7:         The Department did not always timely deposit checks submitted in payment of licensing fees.

Licensing Fee Amounts

Finding No. 8:         The Department did not always assess the correct licensing fee for substance abuse treatment service providers.

Database entries

Finding No. 9:         The Department’s method for accounting for child care and substance abuse licensing fee collections needed improvement.

The Secretary’s response is included at the end of this report as EXHIBIT E.