Finding 1105051 (2024-007)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-18

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Hospital failed to provide documentation proving background checks were completed for all employees, violating the Indian Child Protection Act.
  • Impacted Requirements: Background checks must be conducted and reviewed according to 42 CFR regulations before hiring or within five years for existing staff.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement training for HR staff to ensure proper documentation and retention of background check processes are followed consistently.

Finding Text

Criteria: The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (25 USC 3201 et seq.) requires Tribal Organizations that receive funds under the ISDEAA to conduct an investigation of the character of each individual who is employed or is being considered for employment by such Tribal Organization in a position that involves regular contact with, or control over, Indian children. The Act further states that the Tribal Organization may employ only individuals in those positions if they meet standards of character that are no less stringent than those prescribed by the regulations, which are outlined in 42 CFR 136.405, and only after an individual has been the subject of a satisfactory background investigation as described in 42 CFR 136.406. Condition and Context: For 25 out of 25 employees tested, the Hospital was not able to provide sufficient documentation to support that a background check was completed prior to the employee's start date or within five years for existing employees per the Hospital’s Human Resources policy. For 12 out of 25 employees tested, the Hospital was not able to provide support that the background check results were reviewed by the appropriate authority prior to the employee being onboarded or within five years for existing employees per the Hospital’s Human Resources policy. Cause: Policies and procedures were not well defined or communicated to staff to ensure documentation was retained to support the required background checks were completed or reviewed and approved prior to an employee’s start date or within the previous five years for existing employees. Effect: The Hospital does not have sufficient documentation to evidence background checks were completed for new hires in the fiscal year or within the previous five years for existing employees. Questioned Cost: None Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the Hospital provide additional training to ensure employees are properly documenting the background checks process and retaining evidence to support background checks were completed, reviewed and approved prior to an employee’s start date or within the previous five years for existing employees. Views of Responsible Officials: The Human Resources (HR) team of the Chief Human Resources Officer and the HR Generalists are responsible for completing background checks for existing new employees. The HR team will ensure proper and required background checks are completed, reviewed and approved for all new and existing employees. Proper documentation and results of all background checks will be reviewed and filed accordingly.

Categories

Period of Performance

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 528607 2024-006
    Material Weakness
  • 528608 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 528609 2024-007
    Material Weakness
  • 1105049 2024-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1105050 2024-007
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.441 Indian Self-Determination $5.61M
93.237 Special Diabetes Program for Indians_diabetes Prevention and Treatment Projects $370,427
93.933 Demonstration Projects for Indian Health $177,247
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $158,868
93.788 Opioid Str $140,747