Finding Text
Reference # and Title: 2023-001 Head Start Reporting
Entity-wide or program/department specific: This finding relates to the Head Start grant program AL#93.600 for the federal award year 2023 received directly from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Criteria or specific requirement: SF-429 Real Property Status Report form is to be filed annually based upon the end of the budget period. The annual SF-429 is required for all grantees and must indicate whether the grantee has reportable real property.
Condition found: While testing the Head Start federal program, it was noted that the SF-429 had not been filed.
Context: When reviewing the budget period, the grant that ended during the fiscal year was 06CH012189, which ended on July 31, 2023. In talking with the Program Director, she stated that she tried to file the submission, but the federal government didn’t have it out there available. However, she was attempting to complete the SF-429 in June and not after or at the budget period of July.
Cause: Required submission of the SF-429 was incorrectly attempted by the Program Director.
Effect: The program controls over reporting are weakened.
Recommendation to prevent future occurrences: The program director should ensure reports are submitted timely based on applicable grant ending date.
Origination date and prior year reference (if applicable): This finding originated in the current year.
View of responsible official: We attempted to file this report in June, it was not available at that time, it was available later in the year. We have added this task to our to do calendar for when Head Start Program ends.