Finding 396592 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Four out of 40 food distributions lacked required client sign-offs, risking compliance with eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Lead agencies must ensure all clients sign the eligibility form before food distribution to maintain compliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: PARF should emphasize the importance of sign-offs in ongoing training and policy reviews with lead agencies.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001 Condition: The lead agencies, who are subrecipients under the Federal Awards, are required to have clients sign the Form 502045-A CSFP Sub-Agency Monthly Participant Sign-in Sheet to self-declare program eligibility before food is disbursed. There were four instances out of 40 distributions tested where this sign off was not completed. Criteria: The lead agency should monitor all significant compliance processes to ensure they are completed as required prior to food distribution occurring. Cause: Due to the hectic environment at the lead agencies during food distribution day, oversights have occurred when obtaining the required client signoff. Effect or potential effect: Food distributions could occur without noted eligibility and appropriate authorization or documented review by an appropriate employee at a lead agency. Recommendation: We recommend PARF continue to reiterate the importance of the sign offs during its routine trainings and review of policy adherence with the lead agencies. Views of Responsible Officials: PARF has an extensive training process in place for lead agencies, in relation to grant award compliance requirements, which includes the provision of training manuals and monthly phone calls to review matters. In addition, PARF provides updates to the lead agencies as new or amended requirements are enacted. Further, PARF does periodic reviews of the lead agencies and completes the biennial review Form 502035 CSFP Management Evaluation. PARF will continue to reiterate the required signoff process with the lead agencies during phone calls, training session and reviews.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan Finding 2023-001: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – Food Distribution Cluster Program Name: 10.565 USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program Criteria or Specific Requirement: The lead agencies, who are subrecipients under the Federal Awards, are required to have clients sign the Form 502045-A CSFP Sub-Agency Monthly Participant Sign-in Sheet to self-declare program eligibility before food is disbursed. Issue and Cause: There were four instances out of 40 distributions tested where this sign off was not completed. Due to the hectic environment at the lead agencies during food distribution day, oversights have occurred when obtaining the required client signoff. Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: PARF has an extensive training process in place for lead agencies, in relation to grant award compliance requirements, which includes the provision of training manuals and monthly phone calls to review matters. In addition, PARF provides updates to the lead agencies as new or amended requirements are enacted. Further, PARF does periodic reviews of the lead agencies and completes the biennial review Form 502035 CSFP Management Evaluation. PARF will continue to reiterate the required signoff process with the lead agencies during phone calls, training session and reviews.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Eligibility Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 973034 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.565 Commodity Supplemental Food Program $3.65M