Finding #2023-002 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal programs: U. S. Department of Treasury, Assistance Listing #21.027, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Passed through Harris County, Texas, Contract #220163, Contract year: 12/01/22 – 12...
Finding #2023-002 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal programs: U. S. Department of Treasury, Assistance Listing #21.027, COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Passed through Harris County, Texas, Contract #220163, Contract year: 12/01/22 – 12/31/24, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services:, Assistance Listing #93.243, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance, Contract #5H79TI080624-03, Contract year: 09/30/21 – 09/29/22, Contract #5H79TI080624-04, Contract year: 09/30/22 – 09/29/23, Passed through the City of Houston Health Department, Contract #H79SP080300, Contract years: 11/01/21 – 10/31/22, 11/01/22 – 10/31/23 and 06/08/21 – 06/30/23, Assistance Listing #93.788, Opioid STR, Passed through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Contract #HHS000357900001, Contract years: 09/01/21 – 08/31/22 and 09/01/22 – 08/31/23, Passed through the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Contract #HHS000561800001, Contract year: 09/01/21 – 08/31/22, Assistance Listing #93.959, Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse, Passed through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Contract #HHS000130500019, Contract years: 09/01/21 – 08/31/22 and 09/01/22 – 08/31/23. Condition and context: Houston Recovery Center is required to submit monthly reimbursement requests for five of its federal programs; one program requires reimbursement requests based on achievement of certain milestones rather than time. Out of a sample of 17 requests, we found six did not have evidence of review and approval as required by Houston Recovery Center’s policies and procedures. Recommendation: Training should be provided to ensure that policies and procedures regarding independent review and approval are followed. Planned corrective action: Houston Recovery Center will strengthen its internal control policies and procedures over independent review and approval of grant payment requests by shifting the primary review and approval process from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO has full knowledge of allowable costs and has more availability than the CEO, which will make it easier to ensure that our policies and procedures are followed on a consistent basis. The CEO will continue in this role as backup to the COO to ensure immediate access for needed approval. We believe we have a strong system in place used by our accounting department to ensure all expenses underlying the grant payment requests are reviewed, checked for accuracy, and properly approved which further supports the reimbursement policies and procedures. Responsible officer: Leonard Kincaid, Executive Director. Estimated completion date: November 1, 2023.