Finding 588873 (2022-001)

Federal Award Finding 2022-001 Identification of the Federal Program Assistance Listing Numbers: 94.011 and 94.016 Program Title: Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program Cluster Federal Agency: AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service) Criteria or Specific Requirement: National Service Criminal History Checks are required to be completed in accordance with AmeriCorps regulations (i.e. completing the required checks and making an eligibility determination within the required timelines and documenting them correctly). Condition For certain individuals serving on the program that were selected for testing, documentation related to National Service Criminal History Checks was not accurate. Cause Lack of identification of inaccurate documentation by the staff who conducted the checks and maintained the supporting documentation. Effect or Potential Effect Documentation was not sufficient to support compliance with National Service Criminal History Checks. Questioned Costs No questioned costs were identified. Context Fifteen individual files were reviewed, and we noted two individuals with incorrect spelling of names that were submitted for background checks, and that for four individuals, not all verification documentation was retained. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization enhance their supervisory review controls over the documentation in the files for individuals serving on the program, to ensure compliance with all documentation requirements that support the National Service Criminal History Checks. Views of Responsible Officials Management will enhance their review controls over the documentation in the files for individuals serving on the program, to ensure compliance with all documentation requirements that support the National Service Criminal History Checks. Program Management will require staff to obtain a file review and a signature from the Program Director before any volunteer can be placed verifying that no incorrect spelling/typos of names were submitted for background checks and all verification documentation is included in the file. This procedure will be incorporated within the volunteer recruitment and onboarding guide and training on this for all program staff will be required.