The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Child Care Development (CCB), contracted WRMA to develop and pilot test a common methodology that States could use to compute an administrative error rate. WRMA and CCB conducted the error rate pilot study in four States—Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, and Ohio. The project team also conducted telephone interviews with five additional States to gather information on improper payments activities.

This pilot study demonstrated that improved administrative practices that reduce administrative error can prevent or deter improper payments. These improper payments can be caused by clients as well as providers.

The report, published August 2005, is available on the CCB Web site at the following address:
Measuring Improper Payments in the Child Care Program: A Project of the ACF/Child Care Bureau