See articles organized by state. #
Child Welfare #
- Florida foster kids are given powerful medications, but Feds find state oversight lacking (KFF Health News, 9/27/2023)
- A federal audit has revealed significant issues in Florida’s child welfare system regarding the prescription and monitoring of psychotropic and opioid medications for foster children. The audit found lax record-keeping, missing authorization paperwork, and incomplete case files in a random selection of 115 children. Over 2,200 foster children, including 73 aged 5 or younger, in Florida are prescribed mental health medications, but in nearly half the cases, there were no records of the prescribed medications in the state’s primary case management system. The lack of oversight raises concerns about potential health and safety risks for these vulnerable children.
- Illinois DCFS report card for past two years shows more failures than last review (CBS News, 9/26/2023)
- The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) received a critical review of its performance in the past two years, with 33 major failures identified by the state Auditor General, an increase from the previous count of 30. The report highlighted significant delays in notifying authorities in cases of child death, injury, torture, malnutrition, and sex abuse, with DCFS failing to notify local authorities within the required 24 hours in 20% of cases. Despite acknowledging the issues and accepting recommendations for improvement, concerns persist about the lack of urgency and accountability within the agency, which is set to receive an 11% budget boost, surpassing $2 billion in Illinois taxpayer money for the first time.
- Frustrated lawmakers grill Maine’s child protection chief (Portland Press Herald, 10/18/2023)
- Lawmakers in Maine expressed frustration during a Government Oversight Committee meeting over the state agency’s failure to prevent high-profile deaths of children previously known to child protective services. The Office of Family and Child Services director, Todd Landry, faced criticism for his leadership amid reports revealing an increase in Maine’s rate of repeated child maltreatment from 15.4% in 2018 to 19.6% in 2021, double the national average. Lawmakers are considering more frequent meetings and employing broader powers, including subpoenas, to investigate the child welfare system and address its shortcomings, citing a lack of progress and inadequate training and staffing as key issues.
- Maine: State agency, legislative committee clash in supreme court hearing over records (Portland Press Herald, 12/6/2023)
- Lawyers representing Maine’s Government Oversight Committee and the Department of Health and Human Services clashed in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court over access to confidential case records involving children who died after contact with the state office. The committee sued the Mills administration for being denied access, citing the Legislature’s authority to subpoena confidential records without explicit exemptions. The state argued that there is an established framework for reviewing the child deaths, limiting information release to the committee’s investigative staff.
- State auditor says conditions in Virginia’s youth psychiatric hospital “abhorrent” (Axios, 12/13/2023)
- Virginia’s only state-run psychiatric hospital for children, the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents in Staunton, is recommended for closure by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission due to its alarming conditions, which pose an “immediate threat to the health and safety of the patients.” Among Virginia’s nine state-run psychiatric hospitals, this facility stands out as the worst, with the highest rates of violence, patient self-harm, substantiated human rights complaints, and the highest use of physical restraints. Despite acknowledging the poor performance, Gov. Youngkin’s administration does not plan to act on the recommendation to shut down the facility, attributing the issues to the previous administration and emphasizing ongoing improvements.
- West Virginia: Health committee advances bills meant to enhance oversight (Metro News, 1/11/2024)
- The House Committee on Health and Human Resources has advanced two bills aimed at improving oversight. One bill, HB 4595, allows a legislative oversight committee to meet privately for sensitive matters like child protective services investigations, with the goal of providing lawmakers access to information for timely policy adjustments without compromising transparency. Another bill, HB 4593, requires open meetings for the nonprofit West Virginia First Foundation, responsible for distributing opioid lawsuit proceeds, ensuring transparent decision-making for the significant funds involved in addressing the opioid crisis.
- Maine: New child welfare chief aims to prioritize input from caseworkers, front-line workers (Portland Press Herald, 1/27/2024)
- The new director of the Office of Child and Family Services, Bobbi Johnson, outlined her priorities to the Government Oversight Committee, focusing on engaging with caseworkers and stakeholders to address concerns within the child protective system. Johnson plans to visit district offices to gather feedback and aims to learn from individuals with firsthand experience, including foster parents and service providers. The oversight committee is in the process of preparing policy recommendations to improve child protection for the legislature’s consideration.
- Nebraska child welfare, prison watchdogs have temporarily restored access for oversight roles (Nebraska Examiner, 2/14/2024)
- The six-month dispute between Nebraska’s legislative and executive branches over inspector general access saw a temporary resolution as the Legislature signed a memorandum of understanding with Governor Jim Pillen. The agreement outlines the information the executive branch will provide to state inspectors general for corrections and child welfare, temporarily halting the conflict and avoiding potential lawsuits. The memorandum, set to expire at the end of the 2025 session, aims to provide a broader assessment of legislative oversight, with ongoing proposals including the creation of a special committee and amendments to statutes addressing concerns.
- Oversight panel suggests more than two dozen reforms for Maine child welfare system (Maine Morning Star, 5/10/2024)
- The Government Oversight Committee in Maine recommended over two dozen reforms for the state’s child welfare system, aiming to address issues like work conditions and child safety. The bipartisan recommendations seek to enhance resources, mental health support, and legal access within the system. Despite ongoing challenges, efforts are being made to implement these changes and improve the current state of child welfare in Maine.
- West Virginia: Special Session On Homeschool Oversight Possible After Death Of Boone County Teen (WV Public Broadcasting, 6/7/2024)
- In the wake of the death of a Boone County teenager who was being homeschooled, state lawmakers are considering a special session to address oversight of homeschooling, aiming to ensure educational standards and child welfare protections are adequately met, amid concerns about the current lack of regulation and monitoring in the state’s homeschooling practices.
- Michigan CPS not doing enough to protect kids, state audit finds. HHS objects (The Detroit News, 7/9/2024)
- A state audit released Tuesday by the Office of the Auditor General found that Michigan’s Child Protective Services (CPS) still has significant issues in protecting potentially abused or neglected children, particularly in not conducting face-to-face assessments within 24 hours and allowing investigators to close certain cases without proper monitoring. The audit is a follow-up to a critical 2018 report that identified serious problems during the administration of Gov. Rick Snyder. Despite progress noted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and its director, Elizabeth Hertel, the audit identified non-compliance with the 2018 improvement plan in key areas. The MDHHS criticized the audit process as “unethical and biased,” arguing that the focus on process and documentation does not equate to child safety. However, the audit revealed that in about 5% of cases, face-to-face contact was not made within the required time frame, and in 21% of cases, investigators did not document an immediate safety plan or explain why one wasn’t necessary.
Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement #
- Low number of corrections officers in Alabama prisons cause for concern (Alabama Today, 2/24/2023)
- The Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Finances and Budgets-General Fund met in Montgomery to oversee the state general fund agencies, focusing on the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), which faces challenges with a shortage of corrections officers. ADOC Commissioner John Hamm addressed budget committees, requesting an additional $122.4 million in funding for the 2024 fiscal year to address personnel needs. Despite concerns about staffing shortages, progress has been noted, and ADOC is constructing new mega prisons, but the Department is also facing controversy over the awarding of the prison healthcare contract to YesCare amidst legal issues and a Department of Justice lawsuit over prison conditions.
- West Virginia corrections staffing remains at crisis level (The Intelligencer, 4/17/2023)
- The Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority met Sunday to hear testimony from officials at the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitations, who reported an employee vacancy rate of 1,022. The state has a 32% vacancy rate for correctional officers, with some facilities experiencing rates as high as 70%. In August 2022, Gov. Jim Justice declared the vacancy issue a state of emergency and deployed National Guard members to assist in prison facilities.
- New Jersey: Audit finds deficiencies at state prison specializing in addiction recovery (New Jersey Monitor, 5/30/2023)
- A state audit revealed that the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Wrightstown, a prison offering drug addiction services, made several financial and operational errors. The facility paid vendors excessively, failed to provide necessary treatment to some recovering inmates, and mismanaged employee sick leave, potentially leading to schedule disruptions and increased overtime. Insufficient oversight and record-keeping deficiencies were identified as the main causes of these issues, prompting concerns about accurate spending comparisons and cost calculations.
- Connecticut: Legislative committees to hold hearing on state police ticket audit (CT News Junkie, 7/19/2023)
- Two legislative committees in Connecticut have scheduled a hearing to question State Police officials regarding an audit that revealed potential falsification of tens of thousands of traffic records submitted to a state panel on racial profiling trends. The audit, covering data from 2014 to 2021, found over 25,000 instances where troopers reported issuing tickets with no corresponding records in the state Centralized Infractions Bureau. Lawmakers plan to discuss a possible legislative response to the findings and explore solutions to ensure equitable treatment for all Connecticut drivers. The audit’s release was prompted by a media report investigating troopers’ falsification of traffic ticket records in 2018. While the audit did not determine intent, it highlighted systemic misreporting of infractions, which distorted efforts to identify racial profiling trends.
- Louisiana prisons need better oversight of sentencing changes, auditor says (Louisiana Illuminator, 9/11/2023)
- The state legislative auditor released a report stating that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections should be more meticulous when making changes to sentences for good behavior and other credits. The auditor found that the department did not properly scrutinize sentence adjustments based on accomplishments and compliance with prison rules. This lack of review process increases the risk of errors in offender records not being identified and corrected in a timely manner, sometimes holding prisoners longer than it should.
- Mississippi: State Auditor Investigation Leads to $5 Million Recovery (Magee News, 9/18/2023)
- State Auditor Shad White has announced that private prison company Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is returning over $5.125 million to Mississippi after an investigation revealed they failed to provide the required prison staff but were still paid as if they had. The investigation began in 2021. This voluntary repayment by MTC is one of the largest recoveries in recent years, and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the State Auditor’s findings for potential legal action.
- Missouri: State auditor looking at St. Louis jail, says condition ‘warrant intense scrutiny’ (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/21/2023)
- State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is taking measures to ensure that serious complaints about conditions at St. Louis’ jail are investigated, following a request from State Sen. Steve Roberts. Roberts initiated the request after receiving reports of “poor medical care, detainees going months without showers and other issues.” Fitzpatrick expressed deep concern over the allegations and is gathering information to determine the next steps, while Roberts criticized city leadership for a lack of transparency and accountability in addressing the issues within the jail.
- Missouri auditor investigating St. Louis jail amid deaths and whistleblower reports (St. Louis Post Dispatch, 10/13/2023)
- The state auditor has initiated an investigation into the city jail in St. Louis, citing concerns about mismanagement, inadequate inmate nutrition and medical care, and interference with the civilian jail oversight board. The investigation was prompted by whistleblower complaints received by State Sen. Steve Roberts, alleging inmate abuse. Tensions have risen between St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and community leaders, following three deaths in the jail within a six-week period, leading to calls for increased oversight and transparency.
- West Virginia Division of Corrections vacancies dip below 1,000 for first time since COVID (The Intelligencer, 10/17/2023)
- The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials have stated that it’s too early to determine the impact of funding aimed at recruiting and retaining correctional officers, but they have observed a decrease in vacancy numbers. William Marshall, the commissioner, reported to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority that vacancies across the state’s correctional facilities are now below 990, down from a peak of 1,100 during a state of emergency in August 2022. The state, grappling with overcrowding, has allocated funds and renewed agreements, but it is also facing a class action lawsuit over issues including funding levels, overcrowding, staffing, and prison conditions.
- Arizona’s Independent Prison Oversight Commission says it’s ‘not well positioned’ for oversight (12 News, 1/2/2024)
- Less than a year after Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs established the Independent Prison Oversight Commission (IPOC), a preliminary report reveals that the commission considers itself “not well positioned” for oversight work. The report, submitted on November 15, 2023, suggests that a volunteer commission is not the ideal framework for such oversight due to significant time requirements. The commission, formed in response to concerns about the Arizona Department of Corrections, recommends eliminating the expectation of oversight and transitioning into a Governor’s Advisory Council to collaborate on prison system issues in the short term, while long term oversight should be independent of the Governor’s office.
- Alaska: Three deaths in custody underscores urgent need for legislative oversight of Department of Corrections (Alaska Native News, 1/18/2024)
- The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) reported three deaths of individuals in custody within four days. The deaths raise concerns about the DOC’s ability to ensure the well-being of those in its custody. The ACLU of Alaska, noting a record number of deaths in DOC custody in recent years, urges legislative oversight and accountability for the department’s practices as the legislature’s new session begins.
- Colorado lawmakers consider bill that would implement statewide jail standards (Denver7, 1/23/2023)
- Colorado lawmakers are considering House Bill 24-1054, aimed at making state jails safer by implementing a basic set of standards as recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee for Colorado Jail Standards. The bill follows a troubling trend of in-custody deaths in Colorado. Supporters argue that the proposed standards, covering areas such as food service, visitor policies, and staff training, will create a safer environment for both inmates and jail staff, addressing concerns about mental health and suicide prevention.
- Tennessee Lawmakers Mull Judge Melissa Boyd’s Removal After Substance Abuse Admission (BNN Breaking, 2/28/2024)
- Judge Melissa Boyd in Tennessee faces potential removal due to her admission of substance abuse issues. State House of Representatives Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally have appointed committees to scrutinize the Board of Judicial Conduct’s findings and recommendations regarding Boyd, highlighting the principles of legislative oversight and judicial accountability. The scheduled meeting on March 7 is anticipated to be a pivotal moment, with Judge Boyd granted the right to be present and have legal representation.
- Officials says National Guard will be out of West Virginia jails soon (West Virginia Watch, 4/15/2024)
- West Virginia officials announced to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority that the National Guard are being withdrawn from the state’s jails, with only 80 members remaining compared to 413 in January. The state’s Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has significantly improved recruitment, hiring 291 correctional officers and 49 non-uniformed staff members since January. Faced with longstanding issues with understaffing, the state has made legislative efforts to address these problems, including raising pay scales and offering bonuses to jail staff.
- State audit says Washington police seizures require more transparency (Cascade PBS, 4/19/2024)
- The State Auditor’s Office conducted a review of forfeiture practices in various law enforcement agencies in Washington, emphasizing the need for increased transparency in police seizures. While agencies were found to be compliant with state laws, the audit highlighted the importance of assisting individuals in reclaiming seized property and tracking demographic data to address concerns of disproportionate targeting. Recommendations included enhancing notification processes, collecting demographic information on cases, and establishing external oversight of forfeiture decisions to mitigate conflicts of interest. The audit underscored the significance of improving transparency and procedural fairness in civil asset forfeiture practices within the state.
- West Virginia: National Guard no longer staffing state’s jails and prisons, official says (West Virginia Watch, 5/21/2024)
- The West Virginia National Guard has ceased staffing the state’s jails and prisons, following a state of emergency over staffing shortages. This change comes after lawmakers approved legislation to address issues like understaffing and overcrowding by increasing pay and offering bonuses to correctional officers. With improvements in employee retention rates and ongoing efforts to address overcapacity, the state anticipates lifting the emergency status soon.
- New Jersey State Police ‘never meaningfully grappled’ with discriminatory practices, official finds (NBC10 Philidelphia, 5/23/2024)
- The New Jersey State Police were criticized in a recent report for not adequately addressing discriminatory policing practices within their ranks, despite being aware of persistent adverse treatment towards motorists of racial and ethnic minorities. The state comptroller’s findings highlighted a lack of meaningful action by police leadership in combating these trends. This report underscores the ongoing challenges of bias and discrimination within law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for accountability and trust-building measures to address these issues effectively.
- Wisconsin lawmakers look into prison oversight (The 715 Newsroom, 6/7/2024)
- Wisconsin lawmakers are examining the state’s prison oversight mechanisms following reports of mismanagement and abuse within the corrections system, considering the establishment of an independent oversight board to monitor prison conditions and operations, and seeking to address systemic issues that have led to a lack of accountability and transparency in the state’s penal institutions.
- Wisconsin: Oversight, accountability sought in prison system (The Hometown Register, 7/9/2024)
- Following charges brought against a prison warden and others in connect with the death or two inmates, the Assembly Committee on Corrections held a hearing to determine what changes are needed. Family and advocates told legislators that an ombudsman would provide necessary oversight and accountability. Corrections officials said that most problems are due to the department’s staffing crisis, but lawmakers countered that issues have been well-documented for years and spanned multiple administrations.
- Colorado legislative committee to examine behavioral health in criminal justice system (The Denver Gazette, 7/22/2024)
- In the upcoming legislative session, Colorado will focus on improving mental health support within its criminal justice system, with a six-member oversight committee and a 31-member task force aiming to introduce five new bills in 2025. These bills will address various issues, including oversight of youth offender case management, pre-trial deflection programs, extending hospital stays for mental health patients, and revising the not guilty by reason of insanity plea. The committee has previously proposed significant funding for a crisis response system within the Behavioral Health Administration and is set to continue its work towards comprehensive reforms.
- Families describe assaults and deaths behind bars during hearing on Alabama prison conditions (News19, 7/25/2024)
- Family members of inmates in Alabama prisons testified before the Joint Legislative Prison Committee, recounting incidents of violence, including stabbings and beatings, that resulted in deaths. They expressed frustration over the lack of protection for their loved ones and the systemic issues of understaffing, overcrowding, and rampant violence. The Alabama Department of Corrections has faced federal scrutiny and criticism for failing to improve conditions, with a researcher noting a high number of inmate deaths, including homicides, in the past year.
- Massachusetts: New report shows how state lagged behind on clearing rape kit backlog (Boston.com, 8/11/2024)
- The Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory failed to review thousands of previously untested rape kits within the 90-day deadline set by a new law in 2021, according to a report by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio. The audit revealed that 3,084 sexual assault evidence collection kits were not reviewed in time, with some delays extending to 161 days. The audit also found lapses in assigning kits to local district attorneys’ offices, inaccurate location labeling, and instances where personal information of sexual assault survivors was not properly redacted. Despite these findings, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) stated that the lab is working through the backlog and appreciated the audit’s recommendations.
Drug/Addiction Policy #
- California: As opioid death keep rising, report urges lawmakers to develop new approaches (Route-Fifty, 3/20/2023)
- A new 700-page, nonpartisan RAND report suggests nine action points for lawmakers to address the opioid crisis, including addressing stigma, reducing the fatality of overdoses, viewing opioids as an “ecosystem,” and increasing access to effective treatment.
- WV legislative interims: Drug court and home confinement reviewed (The Morgan Messenger, 5/10/2023)
- During the West Virginia Legislature’s Oversight Committee on Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority’s final day of May Interim Sessions, Judge Gregory Howard discussed the state’s Adult Drug Court program as a tool to divert non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems from incarceration to rehabilitation. The program, present in approximately 30 locations, offers intense supervision and rehabilitation services supervised by a judicial officer. Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Sean Hammers also addressed the committee, highlighting the use of home confinement and day reporting centers as alternatives to traditional incarceration for non-violent offenders, emphasizing the effectiveness of monitoring and community service in rehabilitation efforts.
- Legislature forms committee to address Oregon’s addiction epidemic (Oregon Capital Chronicle, 9/29/2023)
- Oregon legislative leaders have formed a committee to address issues with the state’s addiction crisis, following criticism of the landmark drug decriminalization law and the threat of a well-funded campaign to undo key parts of the law. The committee, comprising House and Senate members, will focus on providing law enforcement with necessary tools to combat drug dealers and cartels, as well as addressing the demand problem by ensuring adequate funding and treatment services for those struggling with addiction. The state’s drug decriminalization law, Measure 110, funded by marijuana taxes, has faced scrutiny, with some Republicans and law enforcement officials calling for its termination, despite advocates emphasizing the need for an expansion of services to tackle the rising drug addiction crisis, particularly concerning the surge in fentanyl-related overdoses.
- New York: Lawmakers turn up heat on cannabis regulators at hearing (City & State New York, 10/31/2023)
- State lawmakers expressed frustration and concern during a Senate hearing on New York’s adult-use cannabis market, criticizing the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) for a delayed rollout and inadequate enforcement against illegal cannabis shops. Senators called for aggressive action against unlicensed operations that pose threats to legal cannabis businesses and public health. The OCM officials faced criticism for lack of communication with stakeholders, insufficient consideration of feedback during regulations development, and perceived lack of urgency in addressing the challenges faced by the legal cannabis industry.
- Sober living homes in West Virginia face challenges, but state lawmakers are focused on more oversight (Mountain State Spotlight, 12/7/2023)
- Despite state and federal recognition of the crucial role of sober living residences in addressing the opioid crisis, residents face challenges such as a shortage of certified homes and funding issues. The Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability is set to discuss recovery residences and hear from a sober living task force. However, advocates and officials are concerned about the legislative approach, which appears to focus more on insurance fraud and accountability than strategies to combat the state’s opioid crisis.
- New bill aims to change ‘culture of silence’ in NH’s recovery community (NHPR, 12/18/2023)
- A new bill in New Hampshire aims to address the “culture of silence” in the state’s recovery community by enhancing oversight of substance use disorder treatment programs. The bill proposes to create a certification system for addiction treatment providers, overseen by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, which would be mandatory for operation. The legislation also mandates the publication of a list of certified programs by the state health department.
- How productive is D.A.R.E. in helping Louisiana’s children? (KALB, 7/1/2024)
- The Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) released a performance audit evaluating the effectiveness of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program administered by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE). Funding for the program comes from cigarette taxes, special court fees from drug offenders, and local agency contributions. Between 2019 and 2023, there was a significant increase in junior high schools receiving D.A.R.E. presentations, but a decrease in K-6 students, leading to fewer students being reached. The LLA noted that the biggest issue facing the program is outdated technology and processes. Despite challenges, the program has shown some success in improving decision-making skills among 5th and 6th-grade students, according to the LLA’s findings.
Education #
- Washington: Legislature strengthens oversight of private special ed schools (The Seattle Times, 4/24/2023)
- Washington state lawmakers voted almost unanimously to expand oversight of private schools that serve about 500 public students with severe disabilities. The schools received approximately $50 million from the state last year despite complaints of abuses and unqualified staff. The legislation aims to expand the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s authority to investigate complaints, ensure qualified staff, and create a centralized repository for complaints against these schools.
- ASD slammed by Utah legislative committee for school closure process; board and superintendent subpoenaed for question (Lehi Free Press, 5/19/2023)
- The Alpine School District (ASD) and its board faced criticism from Utah’s Administrative Rules Review and General Oversight Committee for their handling of recent school closure processes. The committee issued a rare bipartisan subpoena for the ASD Board and superintendent to testify in a future meeting. The issue arose after the district voted to begin the closing process for five elementary schools, leading to a lawsuit by parents who claimed the district violated state law in its closure timeline and actions.
- Indiana: Lawmakers call for student protections, school accountability following WFYI investigation (WFYI, 6/26/2023)
- Lawmakers from both parties in Indiana are seeking solutions following an investigation by WFYI that exposed inaccurate reporting of student restraint and seclusion in schools. A 2013 law aimed to regulate and minimize the use of such interventions, but a lack of oversight from the Indiana Department of Education has raised doubts about its effectiveness. Legislators are calling for increased accountability, transparent reporting, and potential legislative action to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
- Audit: Michigan Department of Education poorly monitored school worker background checks (Detroit Free Press, 6/27/2023)
- An audit has revealed that the Michigan Department of Education failed to adequately monitor the fingerprinting and criminal background checks of contracted school employees, posing a potential risk to child safety. The department was found to have performed poorly in ensuring compliance and providing timely notifications to school districts regarding criminal convictions of contracted employees. While the department agreed with some findings, it disputed certain aspects, and the auditor recommended improvements in laws related to school fingerprinting and monitoring to address the issue.
- Oklahoma: State audit reveals preferential treatment in federal education grant distribution, leaving many low-income families without aid (Fox25, 7/3/2023)
- A recent state audit report has raised concerns about the distribution of funds from a federal education grant program in Oklahoma. The audit alleges that five private schools received preferential treatment, while hundreds of financially needy families were left without any financial assistance. The Stay in School (SIS) Program, which aimed to help low-income families cover private school tuition during the pandemic, had questionable spending of $6.5 million, rewarded students from families reporting no economic hardship, and failed to provide assistance to 650 students from low-income families. The audit reveals that the distribution of funds favored certain private schools, leading to criticism that families should have been the recipients of the financial support. However, Positive Tomorrows, a school serving families experiencing homelessness, stated that they acted in good faith and used the funds to cover the educational expenses of their students.
- California: Report: CSU system failed to investigate most sexual harassment reports or track offenders, auditor finds (The Press Democrat, 7/14/2023)
- A confidential draft report by the California state auditor’s office reveals numerous problems and inconsistencies in sexual harassment investigations across California State University (CSU) campuses. The report criticizes the chancellor’s office for n