DCYF is tracking federal actions that may affect programs serving Minnesota children and families. Get verified facts, current status, and how services continue.
Facts First: The real story on services that support Minnesotans
Recent statements and actions from the federal government have created uncertainty about the future of affordable child care, food assistance, and other services Minnesota families rely on every day.
What’s being claimed and what the facts show
Misleading information from the federal government and other unverified online sources have cited inconsistent allegations of fraud without providing valid data or supporting evidence. Numbers presented without context can be misleading and create confusion about how public support programs actually operate.
Accurate, fact-based information matters. In Minnesota, fraud claims are evaluated through established audit and investigation processes that rely on thorough investigations, verified data and documented findings — not estimates or unsubstantiated claims.
Claim: Videos circulating online suggest that child care programs are empty or misusing CCAP funds.
This is misleading.
- The inflammatory and misleading claims in the videos have created safety risks for families, providers and employers, contributing to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
- In response to these allegations and to instill public trust in these critical public programs, DCYF’s Office of the Inspector General and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) conducted additional onsite compliance checks at the centers mentioned in the video.
- Four of the centers referenced in the online video were already under investigation by DCYF. Those investigations remain open, and we have no public information to share regarding their status.
- Investigations must be conducted by trained, authorized professionals from DCYF’s Office of Inspector General, who follow the law.
- Showing up unannounced at child care facilities or attempting to conduct independent “investigations” is unsafe, inappropriate and puts children, families, and staff at risk.
- Legitimate investigations follow established legal processes, protect due process and ensure evidence is gathered properly.
- Despite claims that fighting fraud is the reason for increased federal presence in Minnesota, DCYF has received no investigative or audit support from Operation Metro Surge. And many of the federal prosecutors who have played an essential role in securing justice in recent fraud cases have recently resigned in large numbers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota.
Reporting suspected fraud through official channels helps ensure it is investigated carefully and prevents interference that could undermine enforcement efforts.
Claim: Minnesota is refusing to share required child care data with the federal government.
This is false.
In early December, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested participant, enrollment, inspection and attendance data for programs participating in Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program. DCYF is prohibited by state and federal law from sharing this information. A court case on this issue is pending. DCYF regularly shares information with HHS through established processes and timelines, in accordance with state and federal laws, to ensure accuracy and privacy.
- Minnesota has paused on providing certain additional data requested by the federal government because state and federal laws limit what information can be shared.
- Right now, Minnesota already provides required reports on a regular schedule, including quarterly, annual, triannual, and end-of-program reports. All data is shared in a way that protects people’s privacy.
- Questions about data sharing are also part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, which challenges the federal Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) authority to request the data and to freeze state funds. The court has issued a temporary order preventing ACF from demanding this data or freezing funds while the court considers a motion for a preliminary injunction, which would pause any action until the case is fully heard.
- DCYF will continue to follow all court orders and provide regularly scheduled ACF reports.
Claim: Federal staff were in Minnesota to gather information Minnesota would not provide.
This is misleading.
- ACF conducted an on-site visit at DCYF Jan. 22-23 to discuss Minnesota’s oversight of the Child Care Assistance Program. ACF cut the site visit short, expressing concerns about the cold weather and expected immigration enforcement protests. DCYF expects the visit with ACF to continue in the coming weeks.
- While states typically have at least 90 days to prepare for federal visits, in this instance, DCYF had fewer than seven days' notice to prepare.
- Despite the unusual timeline, the visit allowed DCYF to showcase the comprehensive approach it has taken to ensure program integrity in the short 18 months since the agency launched – an approach that emphasizes fiscal responsibility from start to finish, including program policy, compliance and program integrity.
- DCYF will continue to work with ACF and provide information that addresses their questions within the parameters established by state and federal law.
- DCYF remains committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud, protect children, support families, maintain public trust, and minimize disruption to communities that rely on these essential services.
Claim: Minnesota has refused to share private SNAP participant data, prolonging extensive federal immigration enforcement in the state.
This is false.
- Federal officials have said that withdrawing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from Minnesota depends on the state providing specific SNAP data.
- USDA’s expanded request includes private and personal information on every SNAP applicant and recipient, which is prohibited under state and federal law.
- A multistate coalition filed a lawsuit to protect the data from these unlawful demands. The court then ordered USDA to pause its data demands and not impose penalties on states that do not provide the data while the lawsuit proceeds.
Learn more about the federal actions that could affect Minnesota’s children, families, and communities and how the state is responding.
Claim: Child care programs don't need to be licensed.
This is false.
Type of programs
- 5,400 family child care programs
- 1,800 child care centers
With a few exceptions outlined in law (see below), child care programs must be licensed in Minnesota. As outlined in state law, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses and monitors child care centers statewide to ensure they meet health, safety, and child development standards.
Counties license and monitor family child care programs and report any concerns to the department. With limited exceptions for license-exempt programs, child care providers must meet rigorous licensing requirements before they can receive state or federal child care funds.
Oversight includes:
- Annual unannounced visits for licensed child care centers to check health, safety, and compliance.
- 2,905 visits conducted in 2025
- Annual review visits for certified license-exempt providers.
- 629 visits conducted in 2025
Early and enhanced oversight:
- The Early and Often program (launched in 2019) provides more frequent visits during a provider’s first year in operation to strengthen compliance with licensing, attendance, and billing requirements.
- In 2025, 138 visits were conducted under this program.
According to Minnesota law, the following child care situations are excluded from licensure:
- Child care provided by a relative to only related children
- Child care provided to children from a single, unrelated family, for any length of time
- Child care provided for a cumulative total of less than 30 days in any 12-month period.
License-exempt programs are also allowed under Minnesota law. This includes schools, camps, Head Start, park and recreation programs, faith-based activities during worship, short-term care, and many nonprofit youth programs.
Claim: It's incredibly easy to open a child care program.
This is false.
Providers must obtain a state license (unless legally exempt), meet strict standards for facilities, and demonstrate they have qualified staff and robust policies in place.
The licensing process is intensive and involves three phases:
- Phase I: Submit required policies and procedures covering child safety and supervision, health and emergency response, staff conduct, maltreatment prevention and reporting and parent communication. All policies must be reviewed and approved by a licensor before the process can continue.
- Phase II: Complete extensive requirements, including staffing plans, menus, inspections, and background checks.
- Phase III: Undergo a thorough pre-licensing inspection to confirm every requirement is met before a license is granted.
Learn more: Phases of the application process for child care center licensure
Minnesota counties perform the major functions related to licensing of family child care programs.
Claim: Child care programs are not required to have attendance records.
This is false.
Attendance records must:
- Be completed daily
- Reflect actual in and out times
- Be submitted immediately to the agency when requested as part of random monitoring visits, compliance checks, audits and investigations.
DCYF inspects and validates attendance records to ensure program integrity for CCAP. Thorough investigations confirm when care is provided, verify compliance, identify errors, and prevent misuse of public funds.