Three Tribes in New England and Their Health Programs Did Not Conduct Required Background Investigations on All Individuals in Contact With Indian Children

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Date Issued

Friday, November 4, 2022

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Components

Indian Health Service

Report Number

A-01-20-01504

Report Type

Audit

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

External Entity

Houlton Band, Passamaquoddy , Narragansett, & IHS

Open Recommendations

This report has 9 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
23-A-01-009.01	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians perform background investigations, as required by the Act, on individuals who currently have contact with Indian children and determine whether the individuals meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.02	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure the Tribe conducts FBI fingerprint background investigations using FBI-approved procedures for individuals in contact with Indian children, conducts inquiries to State and Tribal law enforcement agencies based on the 5 years of residency information on each application, and assesses criminal history results to verify that applicants meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.03	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians request on employment applications information about each applicant's criminal history involving children, per the Tribe's policies and procedures related to the 1990 Crime Control Act.
23-A-01-009.04	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township perform background investigations, as required by the Act, on individuals who currently have contact with Indian children and determine whether the individuals meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.05	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure the Tribe requests information on each applicant's application about the prior 5 years of residency, conducts FBI fingerprint background investigations using FBI-approved procedures for individuals in contact with Indian children, conducts inquiries to State and Tribal law enforcement agencies based on the 5 years of residency information on each application, and assesses criminal history results to verify that applicants meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.06	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Narragansett Indian Tribe perform background investigations, as required by the Act, on individuals who currently have contact with Indian children and determine whether the individuals meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.07	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Narragansett Indian Tribe develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure the Tribe requests information on each applicant's application about the prior 5 years of residency, conducts FBI fingerprint background investigations using FBI-approved procedures for individuals in contact with Indian children, conducts inquiries to State and Tribal law enforcement agencies based on the 5 years of residency information on each application, and assesses criminal history results to verify that applicants meet the required minimum character standards.
23-A-01-009.08	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Indian Health Service continue to provide additional training and technical assistance, in collaboration with other organizations as needed, to ensure that Tribes understand and comply with the requirements to conduct background investigations and the character assessment requirements of the Act.
23-A-01-009.09	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Indian Health Service continue to take the actions described in the IHS Director's Letter to Tribal Leaders to identify best practices to protect the safety and security of Indian children and collect and share this information with all participants in the IHS health system.