Finding Text
Program(s) Affected AL #93.558, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed through Maine Department of Health and Human Services, agreement period July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022. Criteria Per Rider A of the contract, the provider shall make individual, face-to-face contact with critical case members twice monthly for at least three months in cases referred where there is a child five years old or younger, and the family presents with at least one of the following risk factors, and the risk has an impact on the child's safety: domestic violence, parental substance abuse, unmanaged parental mental illness, maternal depression, or multiple unrelated caregivers. Condition and Context One of five critical cases selected for testing from a nonstatistical sample of 25 cases tested, did not have visits at least twice a month in line with contract criteria. Questioned Costs N/A Cause and Effect A lack of policies and procedures led to failure to track the requirement to perform these visits; as such, the critical case patrons were not consistently being observed on a basis prescribed within the contract terms. Further, noncompliance with this contract criteria subjects the child to greater potential risk of unsafe environmental conditions. Repeat Finding? Yes, Finding 2021-002 Recommendation We recommend the Organization institute procedures such as a checklist to ensure staff are appropriately serving their case members. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with finding. See attached Planned Corrective Actions.