Auditor’s Recommendation: “We recommend management ensure sufficient staffing and oversight to abide by internal processes and procedures which require prior approval of expenditures and reports prior to drawdown or submission.” Management response: The Family Place has reviewed its award compliance...
Auditor’s Recommendation: “We recommend management ensure sufficient staffing and oversight to abide by internal processes and procedures which require prior approval of expenditures and reports prior to drawdown or submission.” Management response: The Family Place has reviewed its award compliance procedures and concurs with the finding. During the period, responsible departments—including the finance and accounting and human resources teams—experienced unexpected turnover, a significant shortage of staffing, and a time reporting system conversion. As a result, certain compliance procedures were not performed consistently and timely, resulting in unintentional noncompliance with respect to allowable costs, cash management, and reporting controls. Corrective actions: The Executive Leadership Team reviewed the staffing needs of the finance and accounting and human resources teams in 2024. Hiring and training staff to achieve a full team was established as key objectives for the Executive Leadership Team in early 2025. As of September 2025, all vacant positions in both teams have either been filled or have been posted and are in active hiring process. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Human Resources have reviewed all internal procedures related to award compliance and will ensure that compliance is timely and well documented going forward. Specifically, the Chief Financial Officer will ensure that purchase orders, invoices, financial reports, and performance reports are completed, reviewed, and approved prior to submission and funding. These processes will have additional oversight by the Chief Executive Officer, with assistance from the newly established Compliance Department, and the Board of Trustees. Responsible parties for corrective actions: The Chief Financial Officer will have direct responsibility for award compliance and will be supported by Chief of Human Resources. The Chief Executive Officer, Tiffany A. Tate, with assistance from the newly established Compliance Department, will confirm that compliance occurs on a timely basis and prior to submission and funding. Separately, the Chief Financial Officer will report on progress to the Audit & Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Leadership Team will be responsible for ensuring the finance and accounting and human resources teams achieve and maintain full staffing levels. Anticipated completion date: The organization is actively implementing the corrective actions by ensuring sufficient staffing as mentioned above and training to ensure prior approval of all grant reports and drawdown requests. As of October 1, 2025, all grant reports will be appropriately approved and documented as such.