Audit of the Office of Justice Programs Victim Assistance Funds Subawarded by the Rhode Island Public Safety Administration Office to the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Submitting OIG:

Department of Justice OIG

Date Issued:

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Justice

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

23-105

Component, if applicable:

Office of Justice Programs

External entity, if applicable:

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center

Location(s):

Pawtucket, RI

United States

Type of Report:

Audit

Questioned Costs:

$82,241

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
23-105.pdf	2.53 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Ensure that (1) BVAC's transitional housing victim assistance program complies with federal award requirements, including that subrecipients shall provide VOCA-funded direct services at no charge unless otherwise approved, and (2) BVAC, if necessary, develops and implements updated written program policies and procedures related to the delivery of transitional housing services.
2	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Ensure BVAC develops and implements updated written financial policies and procedures that ensure compliance with the DOJ Grants Financial Guide and federal award requirements, including personnel and fringe benefit costs, program income, and other subaward expenditures.
3	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Remedy the total reported $28,500 in unallowable costs for BVAC-owned rental units.
4	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Remedy the total reported $20,589 in unallowable costs for rent, utilities, and depreciation for idle units.
5	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Remedy $19,206 in award costs associated with the unapproved program income.
6	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Remedy the total reported $15,066 in unsupported costs for the facilities maintenance provider.
7	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Remedy the total reported $3,680 in unsupported phone and internet costs.
8	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Require PSGAO to develop and implement written policies and procedures that ensure PSGAO issues management decisions and ensures corrective action on its subrecipient single audit report findings
9	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Work with PSGAO to develop and implement written policies and procedures that ensure PSGAO compliance with the VOCA Fix requirements.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports

Ensure that (1) BVAC's transitional housing victim assistance program complies with federal award requirements, including that subrecipients shall provide VOCA-funded direct services at no charge unless otherwise approved, and (2) BVAC, if necessary, develops and implements updated written program policies and procedures related to the delivery of transitional housing services.

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports

Ensure BVAC develops and implements updated written financial policies and procedures that ensure compliance with the DOJ Grants Financial Guide and federal award requirements, including personnel and fringe benefit costs, program income, and other subaward expenditures.

Open

https://oig.justice.gov/reports