Data Reliability Audit Requirements FY 2018
DCL-18-08
DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER
DCL-18-08
DATE: December 7, 2018
TO: STATE IV-D DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Data Reliability Audit Requirements FY 2018
ATTACHMENT: Required Data Submission Specifications for FY 2018 (PDF)
Dear Colleague:
Section 452(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Social Security Act requires the OCSE’s Office of Audit (OA) to conduct audits of states and territories at least once every three years to determine the reliability of the performance standards used to calculate incentive payments.
Attached are the required data submission specifications for FY 2018. Please begin working with your information technology department to process this request as early as possible.
OA evaluates the completeness, reliability, and security of performance indicator data reported by the states and the accuracy of the reporting systems used in calculating the performance indicators.
This requires electronic files from each state that contain the complete, unduplicated child support case universe as of Sept. 30, 2018, including:
- All open IV-D cases
- Closed cases
- Non-IV-D cases
- Audit trails for each line on the OCSE-157 used to compute performance indicators
The process OA uses to validate the audit trails depends on the table names, field names and data type matching the attached specifications. Any deviation can affect the acceptance of the audit trails and completion of the audit. Deviations may also adversely affect the timeliness in which OCSE can issue incentive payments to states. Sending the data in the standard format as specified is extremely important to expedite the audit work and ensure timely incentive payments to states and territories.
Audit Frequency and Audit Trail Filing Requirements
DCL-04-02, “Data Reliability Audit Process for Auditing States Less Frequently than Annually” describes when OA will conduct a Data Reliability Audit (DRA). When a state or territory is not subject to a DRA, OA will conduct a Data Reliability Review (DRR) by analyzing Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6, or 8 and 9, 24, 25, 28, and 29 according to the DRR process. To review the Cost-Effectiveness performance indicator, we will also evaluate whether we can verify selected amounts reported on the OCSE-34 and the OCSE-396 to the first level of state documentation.
Whether receiving a DRA or DRR, states must ensure that the universe and the performance indicator audit trails are in the prescribed format in accordance with the OCSE-157 reporting instructions and OCSE audit requirements.
The Child Support Portal will be available for file uploads on or after Dec. 11, 2018. States must upload all audit trail files for FY 2018 to the Portal in the attached format by Jan. 31, 2019. Only your state’s audit liaison or authorized person can upload files to the Portal.
In addition, to safeguard and ensure the integrity of your state’s data, you must encrypt the database file of the universe and audit trails in a zip file using the nomenclature XX17DRA (State abbreviation, Year, DRR, PAT as applicable). Unencrypted or improperly named files may be rejected. For added security, the user must provide the password for the encrypted zip file to their designated auditor(s) over the phone. Do not email the password, leave a voice mail, or send it in a text message.
As a reminder, please submit your OCSE-157 reports through the Online Data Collections (OLDC) System. DCL-18-06, “Submittal of OCSE-157 for FY 2018” provides instructions for submitting the OCSE-157 for FY 2018 and rules for resubmitting previous years’ data.
State System Access to Audit
All states must provide read-only remote system access to your designated auditor(s). Please contact your auditor to ensure that the read-only remote system access functions properly. Read-only remote access to your state’s child support system is a requirement as detailed in AT-17-11, “Automated Systems for Child Support Enforcement: A Guide for States“ that allows auditors to review sample cases more efficiently and effectively and results in less disruption of state and local child support operations.
Please contact Interim Acting Director Scott Hale at Scott.Hale@acf.hhs.gov if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Lekan
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Files
- PDF Data Reliability Audits Requirements FY 2018.pdf (22.70 KB)