Report 2017-129 Recommendation 2 Responses

Report 2017-129: Department of Rehabilitation: Its Inadequate Guidance and Oversight of the Grant Process Led to Inconsistencies and Perceived Bias in Its Evaluations and Awards of Some Grants (Release Date: July 2018)

Recommendation #2 To: Rehabilitation, Department of

To ensure that management and staff involved in the grant process are sufficiently informed about the process and their responsibilities, Rehabilitation should require these employees to attend a kickoff meeting before the development of each RFA in which participants discuss the key stages of the grant review process, each individual's roles and responsibilities, and requirements surrounding conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Further, it should record these discussions in meeting minutes to ensure that expectations of employees are clearly defined and documented.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2020

The Department revised the GSM in October 2018 to include these recommendations and implemented these practices during the Department's first RFA solicitation process after Report 2017-129 was published. These changes are contained in the GSM Interim Guidance: October 2018.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented


Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2019

The Department has revised the GSM to include these recommendations and will carry out these practices in future grant solicitations. Prior to developing the RFA, the Department shall ensure that a meeting is held with all key personnel to discuss roles and responsibilities, conflicts and confidentiality.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending


1-Year Agency Response

The Department has revised the GSM to include these recommendations and will carry out these practices in future grant solicitations. Prior to developing the RFA, the Department shall ensure that a meeting is held with all key personnel to discuss roles and responsibilities, conflicts and confidentiality.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending


6-Month Agency Response

The Department has revised the GSM to include these recommendations and will carry out these practices in future grant solicitations. Prior to developing the RFA, the Department shall ensure that a meeting is held with all key personnel to discuss roles and responsibilities, conflicts and confidentiality.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending


60-Day Agency Response

The Department has revised the GSM to include these recommendations and will carry out these practices in future grant solicitations. Prior to developing the RFA, the Department shall ensure that a meeting is held with all key personnel to discuss roles and responsibilities, conflicts and confidentiality.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending


All Recommendations in 2017-129

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.