Fighting Fraud Through System Design

How can public benefit programs prevent fraud without creating unnecessary barriers for eligible families? This American Public Human Services Association article explores how system design can strengthen program integrity, drawing on Wyoming's experience with the Child Care and Development Fund. Rather than relying exclusively on audits and investigations after problems occur, the article highlights the value of proactively addressing weaknesses in program processes and systems that can allow improper payments to happen. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other human services leaders can use these insights to examine application procedures, eligibility processes, and payment systems for opportunities to prevent errors from occurring. This prevention-focused approach can help agencies protect public resources while making services more accessible and reducing avoidable burdens on families and providers.