Finding 1156878 (2024-001)

Finding 2024-001: Foster Care - Title IV-E Listing #93.658; Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grant Period: Year ended December 31, 2024 Condition/Criteria: The County bases its foster care payments based on eligibility determination. During the year, there was one individual that was coded payments under Foster Care IV-E (02) in error, and payments should have been under Emergency Assistance to Families (04). Cause: The County did not have a process in place to ensure review of eligibility determination was proper and accurate. Context: Of the 40 cases selected, 1 case showed that one individual coded for payments under Foster Care IV- E (02) should have been coded under Emergency Assistance to Families (04). Proper review was not completed to confirm eligibility determination was proper and accurate. Effect: Supporting documentation proves this individuals was eligible to receive benefits under the Emergency Assistant to Families (04) program code. Therefore, there were $114,685 of costs that are questioned as a result. This is considered material to the Foster Care - Title IV-E program. Recommendation: We recommend that the County implement a process to ensure all supporting documentation related to eligibility determinations is properly reviewed and approved. Management Response: The County will ensure that procedures are in place to ensure support is provided for review and approval of eligibility determination.