Finding 512924 (2024-003)

2024-003 Significant Deficiency over Activities Allowed and Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principle Information on the federal program: Foster Care -Title IV-E (Foster Care), Assistance Listing Number 93.658, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed through the N.C Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Social Services Medicaid Cluster (Medicaid), Assistance Listing Number 93.778, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed through the N.C Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Medical Assistance. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Cluster, Assistance Listing Number 10.561, 10.561-COVID, U.S. Department of Agriculture, passed through the N.C Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Social Services Criteria: Per the NCDHHS policy manual, salaries, wages, and fringe benefits of Department of Social Service employees hired under the state merit system are allowable. Salaries shall be allocated to programs by time distribution methods and supported by payroll and attendance records for individuals. Condition: Employee’s time is tracked through the use of day sheets in which employees track their time by service code in 6-minute increments. Day sheets are used to complete weekly timesheets which are approved by supervisors. We noted nine out of forty day sheets selected for Foster Care, one out of forty day sheets selected for Medicaid, and four out of forty day sheets selected for SNAP had more program minutes than what was reported on the employee’s approved time sheet. Context/Cause: As the day sheets included more program time than was included on the employee’s approved timesheet, the time spent on this program was understated during the 1571 monthly reimbursement request to the State. We noted the above condition in nine out of forty day sheets selected for Foster Care, one out of forty day sheets selected for Medicaid, and four out of forty day sheets selected for SNAP. Effects: Inaccurate reporting of time coded to programs affects the total federal and state reimbursement for the program. Recommendation: We recommend that the County implements a review control over weekly timesheets to ensure the timesheets include all program time coded on the day sheets. Auditee’s Response: We concur with the finding.