The Ohio New African Immigrants Commission, NAIC, has embarked on educational programs to educate immigrants on the measures that the state has put in place to combat potential fraud within Ohio’s publicly funded childcare.

“NAIC remains committed to supporting strong, fair enforcement while ensuring immigrant and refugee communities are not unfairly stigmatized,” said Ibrahima Sow, Executive Director, Ohio New African Immigrants Commission.

Below is the statement issued by the commission:

“Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente gave an update on measures that the state has in place to combat potential fraud within Ohio’s publicly funded childcare on 1/5/26.

Accountability must be grounded in facts and individual conduct, not assumptions about communities or groups.

Governor DeWine reminds us that “we need to look at this not as a Somali problem but as a fraud problem” ,

Ohio has nearly 5,200 state-funded childcare providers, all subject to established oversight, including unannounced inspections, attendance and billing reviews, and program integrity audits.

Ohio reimburses providers based on attendance—not enrollment, meaning public funds are used only for days a child is physically present in care. When credible concerns arise, the state has clear authority to withhold payments, require corrective action, and refer substantiated cases to law enforcement, while ensuring due process for providers.

Recently, Ohio’s Department of Children and Youth (DCY) received a social media tip regarding a childcare facility located on State Route 161 in Columbus. Online speculation stemmed from a Google Maps image showing a tobacco shop at the address. DCY reviewed the tip and confirmed the image dated back to 2022, before the childcare facility opened earlier in 2025. DCY conducted an on- site inspection in October, and the facility has not received public funds.

Additionally, in calendar year 2025, DCY received 124 referrals from the public. Because of these referrals, over half of them (61) have resulted in programs being required to pay back overpayments to the State. They have also resulted in DCY closing 12 programs.

Further, they found that 30 of the programs identified through the tips are operating in accordance with state and federal laws, while 21 are still in the final stages of review. The background of providers does not play a role in compliance enforcement.

It is critical that oversight strengthens public confidence without stigmatizing immigrant or refugee communities, the vast majority of whom operate in good faith and rely on childcare access to work and contribute to Ohio’s economy.

In a fast-moving information environment, the public is encouraged to verify claims before sharing them, as misinformation can put businesses, families, and children at risk.

Protecting children, families, and taxpayer dollars is essential to maintaining trust in programs relied upon by working families across Ohio, including immigrant and refugee communities.

• Families looking for licensed childcare centers in their area can visit Child Care Search |Department of Children and Youth.

• For questions regarding NAIC’s role or actions, contact the Office of New African Immigrants Affairs at (614) 466-5528 or naic@ohio.gov.

• To report suspected fraud, contact the Ohio Department of Children and Youth at 1-844-234-KIDS (5437) or CHILDCARE_PROGRAM_INTEGRITY@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.”

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