Audit shows improper payments
by Amritha Alladi - News Star (excerpt)

A payment tracking system that the Department of Children and Family Services implemented a few years ago continues to see thousands of dollars in improper payments issued to ineligible parties.

A recent performance audit report released by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office found that the department's Tracking of Time Services, or TOTS, system lacks processes to prevent, identify, track and recover improper payments for the Child Care Assistance Programs.

These programs help low-income families pay for child care as parents are job hunting, working or furthering their studies to get a job, said Trey Williams, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Children and Families Services.