Findings of Retaliation by Administration for Children and Families Grantee

The Special Investigations Branch (SIB) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), conducted an investigation in response to allegations brought by the complainant, a former employee at Okaloosa County Comprehensive Head Start Child Development, Inc, an Administration for Children and Families grantee. The complainant alleged that the complainant’s supervisors and responsible management officials (RMOs) retaliated against the complainant for reporting the use of Federal grant funds for unallowable expenses and payroll disbursements. OIG investigators found that the RMOs placed the complainant on administrative leave and subsequently terminated the complainant in retaliation for making protected disclosures. The OIG investigative report was provided to the Secretary of HHS and included a recommendation that the Secretary take appropriate action.