1.8 Million in Lost Grants Costs 2 DHHS Employees Their Jobs

By: Associated Press

Posted: Wed 6:43 AM, Mar 20, 2013

Grant Year Grant Program Amount Lost

1996 Child Support Enforcement $46,230
1998 Adoption Assistance 76,096
1999 Adoption Assistance 417,194
2001 Child Support Enforcement 27,140
2002 Foster Care Title IV-E 210,713
2003 Foster Care Title IV-E 243,919
2004 Adoption Assistance 123,419
2006 Adoption Assistance 656,489
2006 State Survey and Certification of Health Care Providers 20,741

Total Federal Funds Lost $1,821,941

Two employees who failed to claim $1.8 million in federal reimbursement for Nebraska are no longer working for the state.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the agency conducted its own review after the state auditor uncovered the missed opportunity to apply for the funding.

Department chief Kerry Winterer says it is his priority to be more financially accountable by holding the employees responsible for their mistakes. The agency also hired an internal auditor.

State Auditor Mike Foley released a report in February that showed the DHHS failed to request child welfare services grants between 1996 and 2006.

Winterer says staff neglected to research whether Nebraska was eligible for the funding. The mistake cost taxpayers $1.8 million.

Update: Missing Martell Teen Found