A lengthy board meeting was conducted March, 22nd of the Southeast Arkansas Community Action Corporation. It was the regular monthly meeting and was conducted at the agency's headquarters in Warren. The meeting started about 10:40 A.M. and lasted until after 2:00 P.M. in the afternoon.
A quorum of the board was present along with a number of interested citizens and four of the five county judges that represent the five counties that comprise the Corporation's service area.
Judges from Bradley, Ashley and Desha were in the audience for part of the meeting and Judge Mack Ball of Chicot County, who serves on the board, was present. State Representative Jeff Wardlaw was also at the part of the meeting. None of the Judges or the Representative spoke.
The judges and some of the other guest were on hand to hear a report from staff of the Department of Human Services, who have been conducting a review of agency activities and expenditures. Several allegations have been made over a period of time and some were addressed by DHS. Among the allegations are the following: improper use of credit card, rewriting of the minutes of board meetings and improper appointment of board members.
A number of other items have been brought up over the past months including the appropriate use of executive sessions.
The meeting turned out to be part board meeting, part report by DHS and part workshop to educated the board members on their duties to oversee and set policy for the organization. There appears to be a lack of policies in place and in some cases policies have not been adhered to.
According to Tony Gilbert, Interim Internal Audit Manager, Office of Quality Assurance for DHS, to his knowledge all funds are accounted for and have been properly spent per the various programs the agency runs. His written report indicated that the former executive director used an agency credit card to make $1,706.43 of personal expenditures and after being apprised of the matter, repaid the full amount to the agency. The report also talked about the need to do a better job of reconciling bank statements and making certain that the various programs are maintained in separate accounts.
During the meeting at least one board member seemed to indicate that the minutes were not being accurately kept. DHS personal told the board and interim director that minutes had to be more detailed and documents attached for the permanent records. There were comments made by DHS that some board members' terms had not been properly adhered to.
DHS staff told the board that they would be conducting additional training over the next several months and that the board had to do its job if the agency was to survive and continue providing services in the five county area. It was stated that the Head Start Program was the most efficient of all the agency programs as far as meeting federal and state requirements.
The remainder of the meeting consisted of reports on Head Start, CSBG and other programs that provide assistance to the low income within the region. The interim director made comments on agency operations and the board chairman made appointments to standing committees. It was noted that the committees have not been functioning as they should.
Mr. Darryl Johnson of Crossett addressed the board during the public comment portion of the agenda and discussed several matters of concern. Mr. Johnson has been critical of the agency for some time and has called a number of the issues to the attention of the state and the local board for a lengthy period of time.
The next board meeting is set for April 19th at 10;30 A.M.
DHS staff on hand for the meeting of March, 22nd were: Lorie Williams, Beverly Buchanan and Tony Gilbert. Most of the training information provided was presented by Ms. Buchanan. Also on hand was Rebecca Reynolds, who is Executive Director of the Community Action Association. She offered assistance to the board in assuring proper management and oversight.
The Community Action Agency provides important assistance to low income families and preschool children throughout Southeast Arkansas. It has wide support among the regions elected officials. Those officials who have talked to salineriverchronicle.com have voiced their insistence that the programs be operated in an accountable and legal manner.
A quorum of the board was present along with a number of interested citizens and four of the five county judges that represent the five counties that comprise the Corporation's service area.
Judges from Bradley, Ashley and Desha were in the audience for part of the meeting and Judge Mack Ball of Chicot County, who serves on the board, was present. State Representative Jeff Wardlaw was also at the part of the meeting. None of the Judges or the Representative spoke.
The judges and some of the other guest were on hand to hear a report from staff of the Department of Human Services, who have been conducting a review of agency activities and expenditures. Several allegations have been made over a period of time and some were addressed by DHS. Among the allegations are the following: improper use of credit card, rewriting of the minutes of board meetings and improper appointment of board members.
A number of other items have been brought up over the past months including the appropriate use of executive sessions.
The meeting turned out to be part board meeting, part report by DHS and part workshop to educated the board members on their duties to oversee and set policy for the organization. There appears to be a lack of policies in place and in some cases policies have not been adhered to.
According to Tony Gilbert, Interim Internal Audit Manager, Office of Quality Assurance for DHS, to his knowledge all funds are accounted for and have been properly spent per the various programs the agency runs. His written report indicated that the former executive director used an agency credit card to make $1,706.43 of personal expenditures and after being apprised of the matter, repaid the full amount to the agency. The report also talked about the need to do a better job of reconciling bank statements and making certain that the various programs are maintained in separate accounts.
During the meeting at least one board member seemed to indicate that the minutes were not being accurately kept. DHS personal told the board and interim director that minutes had to be more detailed and documents attached for the permanent records. There were comments made by DHS that some board members' terms had not been properly adhered to.
DHS staff told the board that they would be conducting additional training over the next several months and that the board had to do its job if the agency was to survive and continue providing services in the five county area. It was stated that the Head Start Program was the most efficient of all the agency programs as far as meeting federal and state requirements.
The remainder of the meeting consisted of reports on Head Start, CSBG and other programs that provide assistance to the low income within the region. The interim director made comments on agency operations and the board chairman made appointments to standing committees. It was noted that the committees have not been functioning as they should.
Mr. Darryl Johnson of Crossett addressed the board during the public comment portion of the agenda and discussed several matters of concern. Mr. Johnson has been critical of the agency for some time and has called a number of the issues to the attention of the state and the local board for a lengthy period of time.
The next board meeting is set for April 19th at 10;30 A.M.
DHS staff on hand for the meeting of March, 22nd were: Lorie Williams, Beverly Buchanan and Tony Gilbert. Most of the training information provided was presented by Ms. Buchanan. Also on hand was Rebecca Reynolds, who is Executive Director of the Community Action Association. She offered assistance to the board in assuring proper management and oversight.
The Community Action Agency provides important assistance to low income families and preschool children throughout Southeast Arkansas. It has wide support among the regions elected officials. Those officials who have talked to salineriverchronicle.com have voiced their insistence that the programs be operated in an accountable and legal manner.
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