HSGP

In 2013 and 2014, we conducted an audit of the District of Columbia’s (DC) management of the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for grants awarded from fiscal years 2010 through 2012. In September 22, 2014, we issued an audit report entitled, District of Columbia’s Management of Homeland Security Grant Program Awards for Fiscal Years 2010 Through 2012 (OIG-14-147), which included 11 recommendations to improve the overall effectiveness of DC’s management of the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency’s (HSEMA) State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funds. We determined that DC HSEMA met the intent of our prior recommendations and demonstrated improvements in its SHSP and UASI subrecipient monitoring and oversight. We also confirmed DC HSEMA submitted required THIRA reports to FEMA. Overall, FEMA and DC HSEMA’s implementation of our prior recommendations achieved the intended results of strengthening grant program management, performance, and oversight

We determined that in most instances, Texas distributed and spent the awards in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; however, the State lacked adequate controls over more than $1 million in grant funds we reviewed.  This occurred because the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State did not ensure adequate management and oversight of Homeland Security Grant Program funds.  We made three recommendations, which when implemented, should enhance Texas’ effectiveness in the overall use of the grant funds to improve preparedness and response capabilities.  Better management and oversight should also reduce the risk associated with the State’s management of grant funds.  FEMA concurred with all three recommendations.