Weatherization Assistance Program (ALN 81.042) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (ALN 93.568) U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State of Vermont Agency of Human Services Finding 2025-001 Compliance Finding - Special Tests and Provisions Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Views of Responsible Officials Management acknowledges the deficiency identified in the Quality Control Inspection (QCI) process. While questioned costs were not identified, we recognize that the breakdown in controls represents a material weakness requiring immediate and sustained corrective action. Since the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) monitoring review, the Organization has undergone structural and cultural changes within the Weatherization Department. Leadership has taken decisive steps to reinforce compliance expectations, supervisory accountability, and documentation integrity. Corrective Action Plan 1. Immediate Structural Oversight Enhancement • Will Eberle (Weatherization Director) is designated as the primary responsible official for QCI program compliance. • Scott Hall (Weatherization Associate Director and Quality Control Lead) is responsible for direct oversight of all QCI staff and inspection standards. • Chris Locarno (Business Manager) will provide executive-level oversight and ensure crossdepartmental accountability and reporting to senior leadership and the Board. Effective immediately: • No weatherization unit may be reported or invoiced until: o QCI documentation is fully complete, o All required test results (blower door, combustion safety, final inspection) are included, o Client signature is present, o Secondary supervisory review is completed. 2. Secondary File Review Control A new Two-Tier Review Process has been implemented: Tier 1 - QCI Review (Performed by Certified BPI QCI) • Full compliance with Vermont Weatherization Program Standards • Documentation of all required final tests • Verification that QCI was not performed by supervising crew members or project participant Tier 2 - Supervisory File Review • Conducted by Scott Hall • Random sampling at minimum 25% of completed units monthly • Monthly summary report submitted to Will Eberle • Quarterly compliance summary reviewed with Chris Locarno No unit will be considered production-complete until Tier 2 review confirms documentation sufficiency. 3. Mandatory QCI Refresher Training • All QC I-certified staff will complete refresher training on: o DOE and HHS requirements o Vermont Weatherization Program Standards o Documentation standards o Independence requirements • Training will occur semi-annually at minimum. • Scott Hall will document attendance and maintain training logs. • Chris Locarno will verify annual compliance training completion as part of management review. Additionally, peer case reviews will be incorporated quarterly to reinforce quality standards. 4. Cultural and Performance Accountability • QCI compliance metrics will be incorporated into staff performance evaluations. • Repeated documentation failures will result in retraining or removal of QCI approval authority. • Monthly compliance meetings led by Scott Hall will include trend review and corrective tracking. 5. Monitoring & Reporting Timeline Action Two-tier review implemented, Will Eberle, Completed Refresher training session, Scott Hall, Within 60 Days Executive compliance review structure , Chris Locarno, Completed Quarterly internal audit sampling, Scott Hall / Will Eberle, Ongoing Responsible Person: Scott Hall Date of Completion: April 1, 2026