Finding 1214694 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-15

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks proper internal controls for reviewing eligibility intake forms, risking noncompliance with grant requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Eligibility determinations must be independently reviewed to ensure only eligible participants are served.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a process where eligibility intake forms are reviewed by someone other than the preparer.

Finding Text

Eligibility Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Name: Homeless Challenge Grant Assistance Listing Number: 93.558 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: IP004 - 2025 Pass-Through Agency: Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: • Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: Eligibility determinations must be reviewed by an individual other than the preparer to ensure that only eligible participants are served in accordance with the grant agreement. Condition: During our testing, we noted that the Organization did not have adequate internal controls to ensure eligibility intake forms were reviewed by an individual other than the preparer. Questioned costs: None. Context: Of the eight eligibility intake forms selected for testing, four were not reviewed by an individual other than the preparer. The review of intake forms is the sole key control over participant eligibility for this program. Cause: The Organization lacked a review process requiring eligibility determinations to be reviewed by someone independent of the preparer. Effect: Without an independent review of eligibility determinations, the Organization could allow ineligible participants into the program, resulting in noncompliance with grant requirements and potential disallowed costs. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: Eligibility intake forms should be reviewed by an individual other than the preparer to ensure that only eligible participants are served under the Homeless Challenge Grant. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Assistance Listing No. 93.558 Recommendation: Eligibility intake forms should be reviewed by an individual other than the preparer to ensure that only eligible participants are served under the Homeless Challenge Grant. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is strengthening eligibility determination controls for the Homeless Challenge Grant by implementing a formal secondary review process for participant intake and eligibility documentation. All eligibility determinations will be reviewed by qualified personnel independent of the preparer prior to final approval to confirm compliance with grant eligibility requirements and completeness of supporting documentation. Management will also maintain documentation evidencing the completion of the secondary review. These procedures are intended to strengthen compliance with grant requirements and reduce the risk of ineligible participants being served. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Carol Rodriguez, Program Development & Quality Director; and Rocio Lopez, Program Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2026

Categories

Eligibility Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214693 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214695 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214696 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214697 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214698 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.567 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE VOLUNTARY AGENCY PROGRAMS $281,830
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $210,589
16.320 SERVICES FOR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS $163,233
93.598 SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF A SEVERE FORM OF TRAFFICKING $81,381
97.024 EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM $80,023
16.575 CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE $5,698
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $4,659