The Administration for Children and Families Region X Did Not Always Resolve Head Start Grantees' Single Audit Findings in Accordance With Federal Requirements

Head Start grantees are required to have Single Audits conducted in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133 (also known as A-133 audits) for fiscal years beginning before December 26, 2014. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) had a process in place to ensure that Head Start grantees took corrective action on A-133 audit findings. However, for Region X Head Start grantees that submitted audit reports to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, ACF did not always resolve recurring audit findings in accordance with Federal requirements and ACF policies and procedures. Specifically, ACF did not issue Audit Determination Letters (which include management decisions on audit findings) for two of the four audit reports we reviewed within 6 months after receiving the reports. The prompt resolution of audit findings helps ensure that grantees effectively and efficiently use Federal funds to carry out the activities for which they were authorized.

We recommended that ACF review its staffing levels and determine whether resources are aligned efficiently, and adjust as needed, to ensure that management decisions are issued to Head Start grantees within the required 6-month timeframe. ACF concurred with our recommendation and stated that it will continue to explore alternative approaches to staffing challenges.