CSBG DCL Update on CSBG State Monitoring FY 2019

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services
Division of Community Assistance
330 C Street, SW, 5th Floor
Mail Room 5425
Washington, D.C. 20201
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/csbg

Community Services Block Grant
Dear Colleague Letter

Re: Update on CSBG State Monitoring - Fiscal Year (FY) 2019

Date: December 21, 2018

Dear Colleagues:

This memo provides a monitoring schedule for Fiscal Year 2019 for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Each year, the Office of Community Services (OCS) conducts standard state monitoring reviews as required under Section 678B(c) of the CSBG Act. We are providing the schedule below for federal and state planning purposes. We will contact each state directly to discuss requirements and preparations for in-person and desk monitoring.

State Assessment Selection Criteria

OCS identified FY 2019 state monitoring selection decisions based on a structured review of multiple criteria. This process is consistent with the approach used in recent years. The following criteria were considered:

• Criteria 1: Time Since Last Monitoring

OCS gives a high priority score to states that never been reviewed by OCS or that have not been reviewed in several years.

• Criteria 2: Analysis of Routinely Available Program Monitoring Information

OCS reviews available information regarding states in which there are unresolved findings noted in previous state monitoring reports. In addition, we review available information on turnover in state CSBG staff, reviews by Office of Inspector General (OIG), complaints received by OCS, and eligible entity loss of federal funding in other federal programs.

• Criteria 3: CSBG Funding Allocation per State

OCS considers overall funding amounts per state and places a higher priority on states with larger funding allocations.

• Criteria 4: Single Audit Information

OCS analyzes past findings as reported in accordance with Uniformed Guidance single audit requirements. This includes analysis of all CSBG findings and other single audit findings of other ACF programs reported by CSBG grantees and sub-recipients.

If you have questions regarding the schedule, please contact David Barrie, Chief, Financial Operations and Accountability Branch, Division of Community Assistance, on (202) 401-3589 or at David.Barrie@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

Seth Hassett
Director, Division of Community Assistance
Office of Community Services