Federal Reports

DHS OIG's work during this period has been impacted by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the President's National Emergency Proclamation in March. Since that time, the office has initiated critically important pandemic-related work including a Verification Review of DHS' Pandemic Activities; a Performance Audit of FEMA's Federal Coordination Efforts in Response to COVID-19; an Inspection of CBP and ICE's Ability to Manage the COVID-19 Pandemic at Their Detention Facilities and Among Their Staff, and opened several COVID-19 criminal investigations. These efforts follow our high-quality, independent, and objective oversight of DHS in the areas of acquisitions, disaster-related activities, financial management, immigration, law enforcement, and investigations. For example, we reviewed the extent to which FEMA's planning for advance contracts in Puerto Rico addresses capability deficiencies and needs; we audited FEMA's management, performance, and oversight of public assistance grant funds related to Hurricanes Katrina, Isaac, and Gustav and conducted a legislatively mandated risk assessment regarding FEMA's grant closeout process. Our reports on financial management evaluated compliance with various internal controls and best practices dictated by Federal appropriations law, including the Anti-deficiency Act. We also assessed the functionality of information technology systems needed to track separated families during implementation of the Zero Tolerance Policy and sought to determine if ICE's Criminal Alien Program successfully identified and detained criminal aliens, eliminated research duplication, and ensured officers documented their actions. I am proud of the work that OIG staff accomplished during this period that has had a significant impact on DHS operations. We remain committed to detect, prevent, and help prosecute fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of DHS programs and operations - and to promote efficiency across the DHS enterprise.

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Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of management controls over the Landlord Maintenance Program (LPM). Specifically, the controls in place to ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to leased buildings for which the landlords have repair and maintenance responsibilities. Our fieldwork was completed before the President of the United States issued the national emergency declaration concerning the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on March 13, 2020. The results of this audit do not reflect any process changes that may have occurred as a result of the pandemic.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an inspection at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System’s (the facility) Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program to evaluate allegations of deficiencies in the care of a patient who died after an Emergency Department visit, as well as safety, security, and staffing at the domiciliary. In response to a congressional request, the OIG also evaluated whether Volunteers of America (VOA) met contractual agreement requirements for providing nonclinical staffing as well as food and cleaning services to the domiciliary program. The OIG did not substantiate that Emergency Department staff failed to properly assess the patient. There was not a conclusive determination that a cardiac event contributed to the patient’s death. However, the OIG found that no provider ordered an electrocardiogram prior to methadone initiation as recommended in VHA guidance. Facility leaders submitted an issue brief and conducted a review as required. The OIG determined that given the failure to obtain an electrocardiogram, facility leaders should also consider an institutional disclosure to the patient’s family. The OIG substantiated that VOA staff improperly completed health and safety round sheets. Other monitoring checks appeared to be completed as required. VOA managers stated that documentation was reviewed but accuracy was not verified. The physical security of the domiciliary building and grounds was in compliance with Veterans Health Administration requirements. The OIG determined that domiciliary nurse staffing was not unsafe because there was a minimum of two nurses on every shift along with VOA resident monitors. The domiciliary met or exceeded minimum core staffing requirements for other clinical staff. VOA substantially met its contractual obligations. The OIG made two recommendations to the VA Office of Asset Enterprise Management Director related to contract modifications, and three recommendations to the Facility Director related to electrocardiograms, institutional disclosure, and safety rounds.