Review of Foster Care Maintenance Payments Made by the Allegheny County Department of Children and Youth Services

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final report points out that during Fiscal Year 1989 the State agency was overpaid for claims that were in violation of one or more program requirements. Specifically, we found: 41 percent of claims sampled involved claims for children who lacked the required judicial determinations; 13 percent of claims sampled involved claims for children residing in foster homes that were not documented as being evaluated and approved annually, or were not recommended for licensure; and 10 percent of claims sampled involved claims for children who were voluntarily placed in foster care. The State plan did not include a provision for voluntary placements. We are making procedural recommendations aimed at improving the State agency's administration of the Title IV-E Foster Care program. We are also recommending that the State agency make a financial adjustment of about $2.3 million for the ineligible claims identified in this report. Operating division officials concurred with our findings and recommendations.