State of Georgia's Efforts to Account for and Monitor Sub-recipients' Use of Public Health Preparedness and Response for Bioterrorism Program Funds

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final report points out that the Georgia Department of Human Resources (Georgia) generally accounted for program funds ($27.1 million received as of April 30, 2003 for the 4-year period ending August 30, 2003) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and applicable departmental regulations and guidelines.  Specifically, Georgia recorded, summarized and reported transactions by specific focus area.  When Georgia contracts with sub-recipients, it has monitoring procedures in place.  In addition, Georgia is developing a site visit component.  Further, Georgia officials indicated that CDC funding had not been used to supplant programs previously funded by other organizational sources.  We recommended Georgia implement sub-recipient monitoring when contracts are awarded, and address problem areas, as they are identified.  Georgia concurred with our findings and recommendation and is taking corrective actions to improve its bioterrorism grant program.