Finding 547358 (2024-005)

Finding Number: 2024-005 Agency: Department of Health & Human Services Federal Program: Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the State ALN: 93.994 Grant Number: Various Compliance Requirement: Cash Management Category: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria 2 CFR 200.302 states that each state must expend and account for the Federal award in accordance with state laws and procedures for expending and accounting for the state's own funds. 2 CFR 200.333 states that financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. For Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. Condition During our procedures, we found the following exceptions: a) In a sample of fifteen (25) cash drawdown petitions for Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the State, we observed transactions with the check issued after the required time lapsed in accordance with the program advance type request. Cause Programs have not established written procedures and internal controls to properly follow up the finance division in order to pay to the suppliers and service providers on a timely basis. Effect Failure to minimize the time elapsed between the drawdown from the US Treasury to the actual check issue date may result in the calculation and determination by the Federal grantors of interest costs on the average balance of funds held beyond the reasonable time. This situation may also expose the PRDH to possible sanctions by federal grantors, such as withholding payments, or other special conditions. Questioned Costs None Perspective Information Finding represents a significant and repetitive problem. The Department will reinforce procedures over the disbursement process to ensure that all program payments are made within the 3 days timeframe. Prior Year Audit Finding None Recommendation The PRDH should establish written procedures that payments are issued promptly after the drawdown is made. This will minimize the time elapsed between the drawdown and the payment of funds. The PRDH should also establish a procedure to periodically monitor the cash balances of Federal programs for the possible identification, investigation, and resolution of unused funds. Views of responsible officials The PRDOH is working with the Finance Department to establish and strengthen our internal controls to ensure all payments comply with the guidelines established by the Federal Government. On the other hand, the PRDOH is working and verifying our own written procedures to ensure that payments are issued promptly after the drawdown is made. Responsible Officials Dr. Manuel Vargas Bernier Program Director 787-765-2929 ext. 4583 Mrs. Diana Ferrer Rivera Senior Accountant 787-765-2929 ext. 4551 Mrs. Lydia Magaly Cabrera Accountant 787-765-2929 ext. 4587 Estimated Completion Date The Completion date for the revised procedures will be by December 2025.