The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has decided to allow the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians to use federal funds to pay a $1.5 million penalty imposed upon the tribe in 2007 for the misuse of federal dollars its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program received in 2002 and 2003, as reported by the Desert Sun yesterday.
Though some are decrying the decision, the tribe is applauding it. “With one less challenge on our list, we can take positive strides towards perfecting the services in all areas relating to the education, employment, health and safety of the members of the reservation,” Torres-Martinez Tribal Chairwoman Mary Resvaloso told the paper.
Our Chairlady is exactly right, our Tribe has worried tremedously about this debt and it has literally drained our meger resources. Big ups to the Feds!
ReplyDeleteFederal TANF regulations state: If we reduce the TFAG payable to a Tribe for a fiscal year because of penalties that have been imposed, the Tribe must expend additional Tribal funds to replace any such reduction. The Tribe must document compliance with this provision on its TANF expenditure report.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if other tribes have been given this opportunity when they have disalloweed costs?
Good news for tribe, but should politics be the reason a grantee gets off the hook for disallowed costs. If this is the case then we should allhave our disallowed costs forgiven
ReplyDelete