Office of the Legislative Auditor - Financial Audit Division

Report Summary
Department of Health: Grant to Sierra Young Family Institute, Inc.
Special Review

 

Financial Audit Division Report 12-24

Released December 6, 2012

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The Office of the Legislative Auditor conducted a special review of grant money the Minnesota Department of Health paid to Sierra Young Family Institute, Inc. The grant was part of the department’s Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative and was intended to help prevent pregnancies among African American teens in Minnesota. In fiscal years 2011 and 2012, the Institute received $328,993 in reimbursement payments.

Findings

• Evidence indicates that the executive director of the Sierra Young Family Institute used a significant amount of grant money for personal expenses and fabricated documents submitted to the Department of Health to conceal the nature of those expenses.
• The Department of Health did not effectively monitor Sierra Young Family Institute’s use of grant funds or its program accomplishments.