Upcoming Dr. Candice Matthews Interview to Examine Alleged Irregularities in Texas Child Care Program

HOUSTON - An upcoming interview featuring activist Dr. Candice Matthews is expected to examine what she describes as serious concerns surrounding the administration of Texas’ child care assistance programs, including allegations involving due process violations, altered records, and failures to follow state regulations.

The interview, scheduled for release next week, focuses on documents and evidence that Matthews says raise significant questions about how portions of the state’s child care subsidy system have been administered.

Among the allegations discussed are claims that contractors associated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in Arlington falsified documents related to child care cases. Matthews also alleges that hearing officers provided false testimony under oath during administrative proceedings and that Workforce Development (WD) Letters, which establish policies governing Texas Child Care Services, were not properly followed.

One of the cases highlighted during the interview involves an African American child who was removed from the Texas child care assistance program. According to documents reviewed during the interview, the child’s redetermination date was allegedly modified after the child had already been removed from the program. Matthews argues that, if accurate, the action would conflict with Texas Child Care Services Policy D-005, which governs the redetermination process for continued eligibility.

The interview also examines allegations involving due process protections for child care providers. According to Matthews, contractual requirements guaranteeing an administrative hearing within 60 days were allegedly not followed in at least one case, with the provider reportedly never receiving the hearing required under the applicable procedures.

Additional concerns discussed during the interview include documents that allegedly contained unauthorized disclosures of clients’ personal information. If substantiated, Matthews argues those disclosures could raise questions regarding compliance with Texas privacy requirements and child care program regulations.

The interview comes months after Governor Greg Abbott directed Texas agencies to strengthen oversight of taxpayer-funded child care programs.

In a January 5, 2026 directive, Abbott stated:

“Recently, the Trump administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systemic fraud in subsidized childcare systems in states like Minnesota. Such fraud will never be tolerated in Texas.”

The Governor instructed the Texas Workforce Commission, working alongside the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, to implement additional anti-fraud measures and investigate potential misuse of taxpayer-funded child care programs.

Matthews contends that the evidence presented during the interview raises questions about whether similar issues may exist within Texas’ own child care system and is calling for an independent review of the allegations.

“Taxpayers deserve transparency, providers deserve due process, and children deserve a system that follows the law,” Matthews said. “When documents raise questions about altered records, missed hearings, and failures to follow established regulations, those concerns cannot simply be ignored. If these allegations are substantiated, every person responsible must be held accountable. This is not about politics. It is about protecting public funds, ensuring equal treatment under the law, and restoring public trust in the child care system. We are calling for a full, independent investigation so the facts can be established and the people of Texas can have confidence that their tax dollars are being administered with integrity.”

Matthews also credited Tommy Butler for bringing forward information that she says helped uncover many of the concerns discussed during the investigation.

NightSunTV has reached out to Governor Greg Abbott’s office requesting comment on how the state is addressing allegations of fraud and whether the concerns raised in the upcoming interview fall within the scope of the Governor’s anti-fraud initiative. Any response received will be added to this story.

The allegations discussed in the upcoming interview have not been independently verified by NightSunTV. The interview is expected to be released next week and will include documents, records, and other materials presented by Dr. Matthews during the discussion.