Finding 404011 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-06-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Board failed to monitor its subrecipient effectively, leading to over enrollment of program participants and depletion of grant funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.332 (d) through (f) regarding subrecipient monitoring and budget management was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance policies for timely communication about funding and improve oversight procedures for more frequent and responsive monitoring of subrecipients.

Finding Text

Reference Number: 2023-001 – Material Weakness, Subrecipient Monitoring Criteria: According to 2 CFR sections 200.332 (d) through (f) pass through entities must monitor the activities of the subrecipient as necessary to ensure that the subaward is used for authorized purposes, complies with the terms and conditions of the subaward and achieves performance goals. Condition: During the contract period between August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, the Boards subrecipient over enrolled program participants which required the Board to utilize $5,737,560 of 2024 fiscal year CCS program funds to cover 2023 fiscal year obligations. Cause: The Board has weekly check in meeting with its subrecipient to discuss programmatic goals and results. The subrecipient was directed to continue enrolling program participants however, the budget for the continued enrollment had been exceeded and not identified in a timely manner to the program function. Continued enrollment resulted in grant funds being depleted. The Board sought approval from its funder to use fiscal 2024 funds to cover expenditures already incurred. Over enrollment began in March of 2023 and was not closed until July of 2023. Furthermore, the Board relies on an independent accounting firm to perform agreed upon procedures for fiscal monitoring. These procedures occurred once during the fiscal as of December 6, 2023. The Board did not conduct any additional fiscal monitoring throughout the year. Effect: The Board did not effectively monitor the budget of its subrecipient, in a timely manner. As a result, its subrecipient over enrolled program participants. The Texas Workforce Commission subsequently reduced the FY 24 award to supplement the FY23 award to account for the over expenditure. Recommendation: We recommend that the Board improve policies and procedures to ensure communication identifies available funding for program services provided in a timely and efficient manner to the program providers. With respect to monitoring of its subrecipients, policies and procedures should be enhanced to ensure that oversight of its subrecipients is more frequent, timely and responsive to findings. Management Response: See management’s corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Reference Number: 2023-001 - Material Weakness, Subrecipient Monitoring Recommendation: We recommend· that the Board improve policies and procedures to ensure communication identifies available funding for program services provided in a timely and efficient manner to the program providers. Concerning monitoring its sub-recipients, policies and procedures should be enhanced to ensure that oversight of its sub-recipients is more frequent, timely, and responsive to findings. Management Response: In response to the identified material weakness regarding subrecipient monitoring, the Board has been placed on a Corrective Action Plan by the Texas Workforce Commission to address and rectify the issues. The key actions and improvements are as follows: 1. Implementation of New Dashboards and Projection Tools: Action Taken: The Board has developed and integrated advanced dashboards that provide real-time insights into programmatic decisions and their financial impacts. These tools facilitate continuous monitoring and alignment of the budget with program activities. Expected Outcome: Enhanced ability to manage budget variances promptly, ensuring that future expenditures are consistently within approved funding limits. 2. Strengthening Subrecipient Monitoring: Action Taken: The Board has established more frequent and systematic oversight mechanisms, including bi-weekly meetings and comprehensive data analysis to track and manage enrollment and expenditures. Expected Outcome: Improved compliance with federal regulations, timely identification of potential over-enrollments, and prevention of budget overruns. 3. Active Oversight and Continuous Communication: Action Taken: The Board has instituted regular bi-weekly conference calls and progress reporting with Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) staff to review and support implementing the corrective action plan. Expected Outcome: Enhanced transparency and accountability, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and aligned with the implemented corrective measures. 4. Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Action Taken: The Board is in the process of developing formal SOPs for enrollment and financial management to standardize and document all processes. Expected Outcome: Clear guidelines and consistent practices that ensure efficient and compliant program management. 5. Benchmark and Progress Monitoring: Action Taken: Specific benchmarks have been established to reduce the average number of children served per day and to monitor the active oversight of the Child Care Services (CCS) program. Expected Outcome: Achievement of performance targets and improved management of program resources. 6. Implementation of Strong Budgetary Oversight: Action Taken: Robust budgetary oversight measures have been implemented to monitor financial activities closely and ensure adherence to budget constraints. This includes integrating stronger projection tools and regular variance analysis. Expected Outcome: Improved fiscal discipline and proactive identification of financial risks, preventing budgetary shortfalls and ensuring sustainable program funding. Conclusion: The Board is committed to addressing the issues identified in the audit and ensuring that all subrecipient activities are monitored effectively to comply with federal requirements. The corrective action plan and the new tools and procedures will strengthen our financial oversight and program management capabilities. The Board will continue to work closely with TWC to ensure the successful implementation of these measures and to prevent future occurrences of such issues.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 404012 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404013 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404014 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404015 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404016 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404017 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404018 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404019 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404020 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404021 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404022 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404023 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404024 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 404025 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404026 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404027 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404028 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404029 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404030 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404031 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404032 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404033 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404034 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404035 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404036 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404037 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 404038 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980453 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980454 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980455 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980456 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980457 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980458 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980459 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980460 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980461 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980462 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980463 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980464 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980465 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980466 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 980467 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980468 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980469 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980470 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980471 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980472 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980473 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980474 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980475 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980476 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980477 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980478 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980479 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 980480 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund $3.37M
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $2.79M
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $1.18M
17.277 Workforce Investment Act (wia) National Emergency Grants $696,191
17.225 Unemployment Insurance $459,681
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $248,191
17.245 Trade Adjustment Assistance $238,992
17.207 Employment Service/wagner-Peyser Funded Activities $155,315
17.259 Wia Youth Activities $99,074
17.258 Wia Adult Program $38,893
17.278 Wia Dislocated Worker Formula Grants $10,843
17.285 Apprenticeship USA Grants $10,843
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $9,120