Closed 01-31-2018
CNCS-OIG investigated an allegation that volunteers and staff from Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI), Topeka, KS, Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) falsified timesheets and performed duties outside the scope of the FGP grant.
The investigation revealed the following findings:
KNI allowed KNI’s FGP official to spend up to 70 percent of her time performing non- FGP duties associated with her former KNI position, even though the grant required her to spend 100 percent of her time on KNI's FGP matters;
KNI violated 45 C.F.R. § 2552.25 What are a sponsor's administrative responsibilities?, subsection (c), when it allowed KNI’s FGP former project director (PD) to concurrently serve as the volunteer treasurer for the National Association of Foster Grandparent Program Directors (NAFGPD) while working as full-time director for KNI's FGP. This was contrary to FGP regulations and KNI's FGP grant agreement, which required the sponsor to employ a project director full-time and dedicate 100 percent of their time managing KNI’s FGP grant;
KNI’s former PD submitted timesheets for the last five years that falsely claimed she spent 100 percent of her time working on FGP matters when in fact she spent approximately 75 percent of her time performing non-FGP duties; and
The former PD improperly authorized FGP volunteers to claim five hours of stipend payments during in-service training and/or recognition events even though the FGP volunteers were usually at the events for no more than three hours.
Agency/Administrative Actions
CNCS management concurred with CNCS-OIG’s findings and recommendations and required KNI to repay $143,278.47 for costs improperly charged to the FGP grant.
Case ID 2016-032