Audit 290319

FY End
2020-12-31
Total Expended
$1.88M
Findings
14
Programs
2
Year: 2020 Accepted: 2024-02-13

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
367202 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367203 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367204 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367205 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367206 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367207 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
367208 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943644 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943645 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943646 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943647 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943648 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943649 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M
943650 2020-001 Material Weakness Yes M

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $797,731 Yes 1
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $3,360 Yes 1

Contacts

Name Title Type
UF83BETNRKS5 Tara Smith Auditee
3607635809 Lisa Carrell Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 1 – Basis of Accounting Accounting Policies: This Schedule is prepared on the same basis of accounting as the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization financial statements. Thurston Mason BHO uses the cash basis of accounting for government funds De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Thurston Mason BHO has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. No admin is taken from these funds. This Schedule is prepared on the same basis of accounting as the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization financial statements. Thurston Mason BHO uses the cash basis of accounting for government funds
Title: Note 2 – Federal De Minimis Indirect Cost Rate Accounting Policies: This Schedule is prepared on the same basis of accounting as the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization financial statements. Thurston Mason BHO uses the cash basis of accounting for government funds De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Thurston Mason BHO has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. No admin is taken from these funds. Thurston Mason BHO has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. No admin is taken from these funds.
Title: Note 3 – Program Costs Accounting Policies: This Schedule is prepared on the same basis of accounting as the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization financial statements. Thurston Mason BHO uses the cash basis of accounting for government funds De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Thurston Mason BHO has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. No admin is taken from these funds. The amounts shown as current year expenditures represent only the federal grant portion of the program costs. Entire program costs, including Thurston Mason BHOs’ portion, are more than shown. Such expenditures are recognized following, as applicable, either the cost principles in the OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, or the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.

Finding Details

The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.
The Organization’s internal controls were inadequate for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. Assistance Listing Number and Title: 93.958 – Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services 93.959 – Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Federal Grantor Name: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award/Contract Number: N/A Pass-through Entity Name: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Pass-through Award/Contract Number: K4163, K4185, K4764, K4717 Known Questioned Cost Amount: $0 Prior Year Audit Finding: Yes, Finding 2019-002 Background The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program awards funds to states and territories to implement plans for providing comprehensive, community-based mental health services for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. To ensure creative and cost-effective delivery of services, states are encouraged to develop solutions for the specific mental health concerns of their local communities. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $911,583 in MHBG funds. The Organization passed through $304,812 of these funds to one subrecipient. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program awards funds to states, territories and one Indian tribe for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that prevent and treat substance abuse. During fiscal year 2020, the Organization spent $966,542 in SABG funds. The Organization passed through $271,094 of these funds to five subrecipients. Federal regulations require recipients to establish and follow internal controls that ensure compliance with program requirements. These controls include understanding program requirements and monitoring the effectiveness of established controls. Description of Condition When grant recipients pass through federal funds to subrecipients, they must evaluate each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with federal requirements to determine the appropriate level of subrecipient monitoring. Monitoring requirements include ensuring compliance with program requirements, ensuring subrecipients receive audits when required, following up and ensuring subrecipients take timely and appropriate action on audit findings that relate to the federal awards it makes to its subrecipients, and issuing management decisions as required. Our audit found the Organization lacked effective controls for complying with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We tested the Organization’s monitoring of five of its subrecipients and determined it did not: • Complete risk assessments or monitor program compliance • Verify the subrecipients received required single audits • Follow up on corrective actions taken for any identified deficiencies related to the federal awards it made to its subrecipients • Issue management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings We consider this deficiency in internal controls to be a material weakness that led to material noncompliance. Cause of Condition The Organization did not dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure staff responsible for administering these grants fully understood and could implement controls for complying with related grant requirements. Effect of Condition Without performing risk assessments or adequately monitoring subrecipients, the Organization increases its risk that subrecipients would not know of or comply with program requirements. Additionally, subrecipients may spend funds for unallowable purposes. Recommendation We recommend the Organization improve its internal controls by performing risk assessments and monitoring subrecipients accordingly to ensure they comply with federal program requirements. Organization’s Response Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Organization agrees with finding 2020-001 regarding the Organization’s lack of adequate internal controls for ensuring compliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements. We understand and recognize the importance of subrecipient monitoring to ensure that subrecipients are following federal requirements for use of federal block grant funds for both Block Grants for Community Mental health Services 93.958 and Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse 93.959. It is noted in the description of condition for this finding that it was an audit finding in 2018 and 2019 as well. Due to the timing of the completion of our audits and issuance of the findings there was not an opportunity to complete corrective actions for these periods. Following the issuance of the previous findings our organization has had key fiscal staff attended Federal Block Grant training and have reviewed the federal funding requirement language passed down in the contracts issued to us by the Health Care Authority with our awards. To ensure that subrecipient monitoring requirements are met the Finance Director has developed a tracking tool that is currently in use that includes the following: • Identified subrecipients • Period of award • Fiscal staff assigned to conduct risk assessment and monitoring follow up • Risk assessment completion date • Monitoring schedule, status, and completion date • Verification of single audits being received, if required • Issuance of corrective action taken if needed and • Issuance of management decisions within six months of audit report issuance for applicable audit findings The tool is actively being used by the fiscal team to ensure that activities are completed in a timely manner. The status of the activities is discussed with assigned staff at periodic fiscal team meetings and all items are reviewed by the Finance Director prior to an item being marked as completed. TMBHO is confident that audits for subsequent years after the date of the initial finding and repeat findings that the SAO will find the entity to be in compliance with this requirement. Auditor’s Remarks We thank the Organization for its cooperation throughout the audit and the steps it is taking to address these concerns. We will review the status of the Organization’s corrective action during our next audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), section 516, Audit findings, establishes reporting requirements for audit findings. Title 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, section 303, Internal controls, describes the requirements for auditees to maintain internal controls over federal programs and comply with federal program requirements. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, Compliance Audits, paragraph 11. Title 45 CFR Part 75, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards, section 352, Requirements for pass-through entities, establishes subrecipient monitoring regulations.