Finding Text
Finding Number: 2025‐001 Repeat Finding: No Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Tribal Self Determination Assistance Listing Number: 93.441 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award Number: N/A Pass‐Through Agency: N/A Questioned Costs: N/A Type of Finding: Noncompliance, Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions Criteria According to the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (25 USC §3201 et. Sec.), the School Board must conduct a character investigation of each individual who is employed or is being considered for employment in a position that involves regular contact with, or control over, Indian children. The investigation should be reinvestigated every five years. The Act further states that the School Board may employ individuals in those positions only if the individuals meet standards of character, no less stringent than those prescribed under subpart B – Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment (25 CFR part 63). Condition Timely background investigations were not conducted for all employees. Cause School Board and federal policies were not always followed or controls were not in place to ensure timely character investigations were performed. Effect The School Board was not in compliance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. Context The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. During our review of the School’s character investigations, we noted that for four of 12 background investigations reviewed, the investigations were not completed timely after the previous investigation expired. Recommendation The School Board should ensure adequate character investigations are performed in a timely manner to achieve full compliance with the School’s policies and the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. Views of Responsible Officials See Corrective Action Plan.