Little Progress After Missouri Early Childhood Funds Review

A new report shows a Missouri agency doesn't plan to recover what an audit described as about $1.5 million in overpayments for an early childhood development program.

An audit of the state fund for early childhood programs released in February said the Social Services Department overpaid about $1.5 million for Early Head Start.

A follow-up report released Thursday shows the agency isn't planning on recovering that money from nonprofits contracted to provide services.

The report notes the agency says the contracted nonprofits deserved the additional funding to train more staff and expand facilities.

Three other changes recommended by the auditor's office haven't been fully implemented. Work has been done to collaborate between agencies to more efficiently provide services and stop double billing.