Federal Reports

The Audit Tips provides an overview of OIG responsibilities; applicable disaster assistance Federal statutes, regulations, and guidelines; the audit process and frequent audit findings; and key points to remember when administering FEMA grants. Using this report should assist disaster assistance applicants to (1) document and account for disaster-related costs; (2) minimize the loss of FEMA disaster assistance funds; (3) maximize financial recovery; and (4) prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of disaster funds. We have updated the report to include information on FEMA’s second edition of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide that supersedes many of the Public Assistance publications and individual policy documents.

Through review of a sample of ICE segregation data and visits to seven detention facilities ICE uses to detain aliens held in Government custody, we determined that the seven facilities were generally following ICE guidance for documenting decisions on segregating detainees with mental health conditions and promptly reporting segregation placement information for detainees with mental health conditions to ICE field offices. However, the field offices we reviewed did not record and promptly report all instances of segregation to ICE headquarters, nor did their system properly reflect all required reviews of ongoing segregation cases. Also, ICE does not regularly compare segregation data in the electronic management system with information at detention facilities to assess the accuracy and reliability of data in the system. Unless ICE field offices comply with requirements to report and record these reviews, ICE headquarters cannot be sure required reviews are taking place and may not have all the information needed to assess the use of segregation, which could put detainees and facility staff at risk of harm. We made three recommendations to ICE to improve oversight and accountability for segregation of detainees with mental health conditions.

FEMA is currently responding to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, some of the most catastrophic disasters in recent United States history. Damages from Hurricane Harvey are estimated to exceed $100 billion. On September 22, 2017, The State of Texas General Land Office (Texas) entered into an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (agreement) to provide assistance to FEMA in the delivery of Direct Housing Assistance (DHA) to Hurricane Harvey survivors on a temporary basis. FEMA estimates these costs will reach approximately $1 billion. The agreement does not clearly identify basic controls to ensure (DHA) funds are spent according to Federal regulations. For instance, the agreement does not include approval authorities and physical inspections, or separation of duties and independent certifications. We are concerned that without adequate controls in place the federal funds may be at risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Therefore, it is imperative that FEMA ensure Texas’ proposed project management plan clearly identifies the internal controls needed to ensure that Federal funds will be properly spent. It also provides observations on the current and past issues with FEMA’s use of direct housing assistance programs.

To see our report, click on the link below