Finding 29919 (2022-001)

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Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
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Year
2022
Accepted
2023-05-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: MLSA's board does not meet the grant requirement of having at least 60% attorney members.
  • Impacted Requirements: Current board composition is insufficient, with only 8 out of 14 positions filled by attorneys, while 9 are needed.
  • Recommended Follow-up: MLSA should enhance recruitment efforts to ensure compliance with board membership requirements.

Finding Text

#2022-001. Legal Services Corporation Grants, AL No. 09.927 Condition: We noted MLSA has not complied with the condition of its grant award regarding general grant requirements. Criteria: MLSA?s grant award includes a condition that at least sixty percent of its board membership be comprised of attorney members. MLSA?s current board membership does not comply with this requirement. Effect: There is insufficient attorney member representation on MLSA?s board of trustees. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were observed as a result of this condition. Perspective: Eight of fourteen positions currently filled are attorney members. There are fifteen potential board positions, of which nine should be filled by attorney members. MLSA has not complied with the reporting requirements related to this condition. Cause: MLSA management is aware of the requirement but was not successful in recruiting sufficient members to achieve compliance by year-end to replace the previous attorney board member. Recommendation: We recommend MLSA?s board and management continue its recruitment efforts to achieve compliance. Management Response: See management?s Corrective Action Plan on page 34.

Corrective Action Plan

Auditors Finding: We noted MLSA has not complied with the condition of its grant award regarding general grant requirements. MLSA?s grant award includes a condition that at least sixty percent of its board membership be comprised of attorney members. MLSA?s current board membership does not comply with this requirement. Managements Response: Contact: Alison Paul, Executive Director MLSA concurs with this finding. Managements Corrective Action Plan: During 2023, MLSA is actively recruiting for the ninth attorney member.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
09.927 Legal Services Corporation/lsc Technology Grants $2.12M
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $1.15M
16.815 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Grants, Training and Technical Assistance $656,816
94.006 Americorps $238,340
16.582 Crime Victim Assistance/discretionary Grants $235,179
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $177,291
16.589 Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Assistance Program $148,393
16.524 Legal Assistance for Victims $101,632
14.537 Eviction Protection Grant Program $45,787
14.169 Housing Counseling Assistance Program $35,838
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $32,769
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $24,935
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $10,661
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $6,468
64.033 Va Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program $2,596
93.048 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iv_and Title Ii_discretionary Projects $242