Finding 2024-001 – A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed, B. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, H. Period of Performance Identification of the federal program: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance Listing No: 97.036 COVID-19 Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially D...
Finding 2024-001 – A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed, B. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, H. Period of Performance Identification of the federal program: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance Listing No: 97.036 COVID-19 Disaster Grants – Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) Award Period: January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 Summary of finding: A material weakness in internal control over compliance was issued related to activities allowed or unallowed for the COVID-19 Disaster Grants – Public Assistance of Norton Healthcare, Inc. and Affiliates (the Corporation). While Management designed internal controls that required expenditures to be reviewed by members of the respective departments in which they originated (e.g. payroll and accounts payable) as expenditures were incurred, internal controls were not designed or implemented around the accumulation of expenditures and review of such expenditures for allowability under the projects for which Norton was approved under the COVID-19 Disaster Grants. Furthermore, the Company does not have formalized policies or documentation around internal contract agency travel allowances, and the payroll department did not retain documentation to evidence the function’s review of unapproved timesheets. Planned corrective action: Norton Healthcare is currently upgrading its timekeeping and attendance system. As part of this initiative, enhanced training and expanded functionality for timekeepers will help ensure that timecards are reviewed and approved prior to payment, in compliance with internal requirements. Relevant policies and procedures will be updated to support this process, including the retention of appropriate documentation. Additionally, the Norton Clinical Agency will establish a formal written policy outlining the stipend review and approval process, ensuring that all documentation is properly maintained. All other expenses submitted to FEMA will be reviewed and approved in writing, outside of the Grants Portal, with appropriate documentation. At this time, there are no pending or anticipated projects related to FEMA claims. Anticipated completion date: December 31, 2026 Responsible contact person: Adam Kempf