Finding Text
2023—002—ELIGIBILTIY Federal Agency: AmeriCorps Corporation for National and Community Service Federal Program Name: Foster Grandparents/Senior Companion Cluster/Senior Companion Program Assistance Listing Number: 94.016 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Multiple Award Period: Project period: Multiple; Budget period: Multiple Questioned Costs: Approximately $1,616 Type of Finding (F) Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance of Federal Awards (G) Instances of Noncompliance related to Federal Awards Statement of Condition During our audit, we noted the following issues related with the AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program: The income verification form for stipend volunteers seems to be based on the volunteers’ estimation and certification, without providing proof of income 2 out of 25 volunteers tested did not pass the age test and should have not been compensated (total amount paid to them for stipend, travel and meals was approximately $1,615.95) Context Out of 25 volunteers tested (43% of the entire population), 2 did not pass the age test. Proof of income was not in the files just the form completed and signed by the volunteers. Criteria To be eligible to be paid a stipend, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions must be at least 55 years old; meet income guidelines; and be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of serving on a person-to-person basis. Income eligibility is based on the applicant’s total annual income (including the total annual income of the applicant’s spouse), less allowable medical expenses. To be income-eligible, an applicant’s income must fall at or below 200 percent of the poverty level as annually established by the Department of Health and Human Services for the state in which he or she resides. Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion programs may enroll persons who are at least 55 years old, but who do not meet the income guidelines as non-stipend Foster Grandparents or Senior Companions (45 CFR Part 2551, Subpart J and 45 CFR Part 2552, Subpart J). Effect The organization does not appear to have sufficient internal controls in place and does not appear to be in compliance with grant requirements as set forth in 45 CFR Part 2551, Subpart J and 45 CFR Part 2552, Subpart J. Potential effect of noncompliance of the federal award or future funding decisions could result in disallowance of costs, suspension or termination of the award, or reduction of future allocations. Cause Internal controls over compliance do not appear to have been adequately implemented due to a lack of training and awareness of the program rules. Recommendation We recommend the organization gets familiar with the below CFR pertaining to the Americorps Senior Companion Program and implement internal controls to make sure that the program rules are carried out including but not limited to (42 USC 5011(a) and (d) and 5013(a) and (b); 45 CFR Part 2551, Subpart J and 45 CFR Part 2552, Subpart J, 45 CFR sections 2551.91 and 2552.91, Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Title II (42 USC 5000 et seq.) and their implementing regulations are found in 45 CFR parts 2551 and 2552. ). We also recommend training the staff about the rules of this program. View of Responsible Official: We have undertaken additional training and review of regulations in this area to assure compliance. Finding resolved timeline: December 1, 2024. Designated of employee position responsible for meeting this deadline: Bruce Young-Candelaria, President and program Authorized Representative