Finding 943166 (2023-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-02-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There was a significant deficiency in internal controls regarding allowable costs for space maintenance under the IDEA Part C grant.
  • Impacted Requirements: Costs must be pre-approved by the US Education Department as specified in the grant application to comply with federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review the compliance supplement and grant applications to ensure all necessary federal approvals are obtained before incurring costs.

Finding Text

2023 – 005 Allowable Costs Federal Agency: US Department of Education Federal Program Name: Special Education - Grants for Infants and Families Assistance Listing Number: 84.181A Federal Award Identification Number and Year: H181X210125-21A & H181A210125 Award Period: 7/1/21-09/30/22 & 7/1/22-09/30/23 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Part 4 of the Federal Compliance Supplement and the IDEA Application says, "A state may charge rent, occupancy, or space maintenance costs as a direct cost to its IDEA Part C grant award, only if it indicates so in the Section IV.B.2, "Restricted Indirect Cost Rate/Cost Allocation Plan Information," of its IDEA Part C grant application and receives approval from the US Education Department in its grant award letter (34 CFR section 303.225(c) (3)). Condition: During our testing of 34 vouchers, 14 were for costs related to space maintenance. Questioned costs: $2,666.72 Context: We tested 34 vouchers, of which 14 contained exceptions Cause: Management oversight with regard to requiring explicit approval from the US Education Department in advance Effect: Noncompliance with allowable costs Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the program review the compliance supplement and grant applications thoroughly to notate instances when federal approval is required in advance. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 366723 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 366724 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 366725 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 366726 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 943165 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 943167 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 943168 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $41.64M
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $36.79M
93.596 Child Care Mandatory and Matching Funds of the Child Care and Development Fund $31.53M
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $18.77M
84.181A Special Education-Grants for Infants and Families $3.24M
84.425C Education Stabilization Fund $1.83M
10.560 State Administrative Expenses for Child Nutrition $1.32M
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $924,624
84.181X Family, Infant and Toddler with Disabilities-American Rescue Plan $773,661
93.434 Every Student Succeeds Act/preschool Development Grants $599,502
93.870 Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant $379,559
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $229,841
93.600 Head Start $105,189
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $54,405