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Report Fraud

ELC Sarasota is committed to ensuring that funding is used transparently and appropriately to serve children and families in our community.

If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of funding, please let us know

Common Types of Fraud

Fraud concerns typically involve:

  • School Readiness or VPK services
  • Contractors, grantees, or partners
  • Employee misconduct
  • Misuse of public funds
  • Program mismanagement or abuse

Child Care Provider Examples

  • Signing a child in when the child is absent in order to be paid for that day
  • Asking a parent to sign a child in/out when they have not attended
  • Giving false information to receive payment or stay contracted for SR or VPK
  • Telling a parent not to report changes to the coalition

Parent/Caregiver Examples

  • Failing to accurately report someone in the household such as a “spouse” or “biological parent” of one of child(ren) in the home.
  • Providing false/altered employment verification or education documents
  • Failing to report additional employment income (being employed at two or more jobs)
  • Providing a false/altered at-risk referral

How To Report Fraud

Please follow these steps to submit your report:

1. Fill out the form below.

2. Provide as much information as you can about the suspected fraud.

Submissions may be made anonymously. Providing your phone number or email may help us follow up if additional information is needed, but it’s completely optional.

3. Submit your report.

Our team will review your submission promptly and take appropriate action.

All submissions are subject to Florida’s Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and may be disclosed upon request. If you do not wish to have your personal information released, you may submit your report anonymously.

Submissions should not contain profanity, inappropriate language, or defamatory content.

Our Commitment

The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County is committed to responsible stewardship of federal, state, and local funding. Reporting suspected fraud helps ensure that child care assistance reaches the families who truly need it.

Families receiving School Readiness assistance must report household and employment changes as outlined in program terms and conditions. Providing false or altered information or failing to report required changes may result in a fraud referral to the Office of Inspector General. Consequences may include termination of child care assistance, repayment of funds, and potential legal action. Assistance cannot resume until all legal matters are resolved and repayment obligations are satisfied.

Child care providers are also responsible for accurate reporting. Misrepresenting School Readiness or VPK attendance, falsifying staff records, employment documentation, insurance information, grant applications, or other required contractual records may result in a fraud referral to the Office of Inspector General and additional legal or administrative consequences.

Office of Inspector General

Department of Education
325 W. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Phone: 850-717-8605
Email: inspectorgeneral@del.fldoe.org 

You may report concerns anonymously. Providing detailed and accurate information will assist investigators in reviewing the matter thoroughly.

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