Finding 382598 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-20
Audit: 296160
Organization: Catholic Charities, Inc. (DE)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Six billing errors were found in March 2023 claims for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, affecting meal counts submitted for reimbursement.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with eligibility criteria for federal reimbursement, which relies on accurate meal counts categorized by type and economic need.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Charities should enhance their internal controls and procedures to ensure accurate claims are submitted moving forward.

Finding Text

Major Program: 10.558 - Child and Adult Care Food Program (Grantor - Department of Agriculture) Type of Finding: Noncompliance and Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Condition: We tested 18 provider files and identified six billing errors within the March 2023 claim submissions. For each instance of error, the number of meals served was incorrectly determined and submitted for reimbursement. Criteria: Federal assistance to institutions takes the form of cash reimbursement for meals served. An institution's entitlement to cash reimbursement is computed by multiplying the number of meals served, by category and type, by prescribed per-unit payment rates called “reimbursement rates.” “Type” refers to the kind of meal service for which the institution seeks reimbursement (breakfast, lunch, snack, or supper). For meals served in centers, “category” refers to the economic need of the child or adult to whom a meal is served; such meals are categorized as paid, reduced, or free. Meals served in day care homes are categorized by the tiering structure (Tier I or II). Under this formula, an institution's entitlement to funding is a function of the categories and types of services provided. An institution establishes its entitlement to reimbursement payments by submitting claims for reimbursement. Cause: Human error in summarizing the meals served by providers. Effect: The March 2023 claims contained immaterial billing errors. Recommendation: We suggest that Charities review its controls and implement procedures to ensure accurate claims are being submitted for reimbursement.

Corrective Action Plan

Major Program: 10.558 - Child and Adult Care Food Program (Grantor - Department of Agriculture) Condition: We tested 18 provider files and identified two billing errors within the May 2022 claim submissions. For each instance of error, the number of meals served was incorrectly determined and submitted for reimbursement. Corrective Action Plan: Catholic Charities Program Manager, Joanne Varnes, conducted a training on December 19, 2023 with all staff involved in the CACFP that included income eligibility/enrollment categorization and meal count accuracy. Catholic Charities staff will review each income form/enrollment and double check that children’s reimbursement rate is properly categorized based on their family’s income. Staff members will review each claim before it is entered for reimbursement to ensure the claim is accurate. Program Manager, Joanne Varnes, will oversee this process and conduct case record reviews quarterly for all providers under Catholic Charities Sponsorship. Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Samantha Wallace, Interim Executive Director Anticipated Completion Date of Corrective Action: Immediately

Categories

Cash Management Eligibility Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 382599 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 959040 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 959041 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $23.76M
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $2.56M
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $295,873
93.550 Transitional Living for Homeless Youth $250,000
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $202,814
93.676 Unaccompanied Alien Children Program $83,755
93.788 Opioid Str $45,000
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $41,989
97.024 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program $17,165
14.241 Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids $15,998
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $3,106