Community-Based Care Lead Agencies Audit Findings

Department Announces CBC Accountability Actions Following Recent Audits

The Department took corrective action against six community-based care lead agencies following the completion of recent audits. Corrective action plans have been imposed for each agency to address all audit findings to ensure transparency and fiscal accountability. Letters outlining these actions, along with the full audit reports can be found below.

Key audit findings include noncompliance with the basic procurement standard of reprocuring contracts, failing to pay back Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, excessive executive compensation, and allowing related parties to maintain surplus funding when contracts are supposed to be based on cost reimbursement.

There is no greater responsibility at the Department than ensuring that the vulnerable children in our care have their needs met and that our contractors are good stewards in ensuring funding is maximized to improve service delivery. The audits evaluated the time period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021, for the following lead agencies: Embrace Families CBC, Partnership for Strong Families, Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc. dba NWF Health Network, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, Brevard Family Partnership, and Kids First of Florida. Audits will be conducted on the remaining lead agencies in the coming months.

These audits are one step in a series of efforts undertaken by the Department to strengthen oversight and immediate action is being taken to hold these state contractors accountable.

• Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc. dba NWF Health Network Letter and Audit Report
• Brevard Family Partnership Letter and Audit Report
• Children’s Network of Southwest Florida Letter and Audit Report
• Embrace Families Community Based Care, Inc. Letter and Audit Report
• Kids First of Florida Letter and Audit Report
• Partnership for Strong Families Letter and Audit Report

August 22, 2023