Overview
We found that OCA did not issue a report, called the Early Childhood and School-Aged Student Wellness Efforts: Addressing Barriers to Student Academic Success, Health, and Safety in [Fiscal Year 2022], to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, until 85 days after its deadline of December 1, 2021.
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities’ ability to review and address OCA’s child welfare concerns will be impeded by the delayed issuance of this report, creating potential negative impacts for the state government and the people it serves.
Authoritative Guidance
The Commonwealth’s enacted budget language for fiscal year 2022 states, “Not later than December 1, 2021, the office of the child advocate shall report to the joint committee on children families and persons with disabilities on its efforts.”
Reasons for Condition
OCA told us that the staff member assigned to work on the Early Childhood and School-Aged Student Wellness Efforts: Addressing Barriers to Student Academic Success, Health, and Safety in [Fiscal Year 2022] report was later reassigned to work on a different assignment. OCA told us in an email on April 19, 2023 that this staff member did inform the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities that the submission would be delayed, and the committee “orally informed OCA that a delayed response would be acceptable.”
Recommendations
- OCA should report to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities by its deadlines.
- OCA should ensure that any extensions to its deadlines are approved in writing.
Auditee’s Response
The OCA acknowledges and appreciates this finding. The OCA agrees that the report submission was past the statutory deadline. During the period when this report was due (December 2021), the OCA was also devoting significant staff resources into our investigation into the death of [a child], which was released in March 2022. Child death investigations are, by their nature, unexpected, and they require an extraordinary amount of staff attention. They are also among the most important work that the OCA does. At that time, we made the strategic decision to focus our staff resources on completing the [child death investigation], resulting in a delay in this particular report to the Legislature. The OCA kept the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities apprised of the report delay and continued regular meetings with the Committee Chairs, which include ongoing communication regarding the critical issues affecting children and families in the Commonwealth. The OCA regularly shares child welfare concerns with the legislature above and beyond the report discussed herein. The OCA always endeavors to meet all statutory deadlines, and we will continue that practice as best we are able given staff resources.
Recognizing the best practice recommendation, the OCA will institute a written practice outlining the documentation protocol for any extensions to statutorily required deadlines.
Auditor’s Reply
Based on its response, OCA is taking measures to address our concerns in this area.
| Date published: | October 7, 2024 |
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