DUTCHESS COUNTY COMPTROLLER ROBIN LOIS RELEASES FOLLOW-UP AUDIT ON THE CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE (CPCA)
The Dutchess County Comptroller’s Office has released their 2021-2022 Update report of the activities and actions taken by the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CPCA) after their August 2021 audit. The primary objective was to determine if the CPCA management and Board of Directors had taken the steps necessary to address the findings and recommendations made by the Comptroller’s Office in 2021.
Most of the findings made in the 2021 report were a result of management deficiencies. Since then, there have been significant changes to the Board of Directions membership, including the departure of the managing Executive Director at the time of the original audit. Recommendations included understanding staff turnover issues, updating policies & procedures, implementing proper segregation of duties, increased Board oversight, stronger program monitoring, and strengthening of timely and accurate financial reporting.
“The increased oversight and support of the new Board of Directors has greatly contributed to the implementation of our recommendations.” said Comptroller Lois. “The recent management changes have also resulted in an immediate improvement in workplace culture and employee morale which I hope will result in greater employee satisfaction and retention.”
In a response letter from the CPCA, agency leadership made the following remarks:
“A thorough audit from the Comptroller’s Office can be a harrowing experience for a small nonprofit, and that was certainly the case for our agency in 2021 and again in 2022. That said, we believe that had it not been for the depth, diligence, and honesty of these audits, we would not have transformed the organization in the ways we have been able to; because of this, the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse is stronger than ever, and best able to execute its vital mission to prevent child abuse. For that, we are immeasurably thankful.”
