An audit finds Missouri overpaid for some Early Head Start programs that were serving fewer children than agreed to in a state contract and was billed twice for some home visit programs.
Auditor Tom Schweich's (shwykz) report on Tuesday gives the lowest possible rating to a state fund designated for early childhood programs. It cites lax controls and inefficient use of the money.
The audit says the Department of Social Services overpaid $1.5 million for Early Head Start programs that served fewer children than stipulated in their state contracts for most of the year.
The report also says duplicate home visit programs for families with young children run by the state's social services and education departments caused inefficiencies. One provider billed the state twice for visits under both programs.