Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
RELATES TO:
KRS
273.451
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: This administrative
regulation establishes the conditions by which the cabinet may terminate
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding to a grantee. This administrative
regulation also addresses the grantee's right to request and receive a hearing
before a qualified hearing officer.
Section
1. Grantee Termination. For the purpose of this part,
administrative requirements specified in
42 U.S.C.
9901-9912
and
KRS
273.451 are applicable.
(1) A community action agency (CAA), either
established with local designation or state recognition under the Community
Services Block Grant Act (the Act) or under the Kentucky CSBG program in
accordance with the Act and the Community Action Law in KRS Chapter 273 shall
be awarded continuing CSBG program administering responsibilities in its
established jurisdiction unless the following shall occur:
(a) The CAA submits written communication to
the Department for Community-Based Services stating its desire to discontinue
operation of the program;
(b)
Material failure by the CAA to comply with
42 U.S.C.
9901-9912,
or
45 C.F.R.
96.30,
96.51,
96.90, or
96.91; the
provisions of the state CSBG plan or provisions of KRS 273.405-273.453; or 922
KAR 6:010. Material failure includes:
1.
Fraud;
2. Disallowance of costs
which could render a CAA insolvent; or
3. Denial of access to records of
grant-related transactions.
(c) The CAA lacks the authority or capability
to receive, administer, and account for funds in a manner that conforms with
applicable federal or state requirements or with generally accepted accounting
principles;
(d) The CAA is not
capable of effectively planning, conducting, administering, or evaluating CSBG
funded programs or projects;
(e)
The CAA fails to conform in one (1) or more ways to the assurances relating to
the structure and operation of CSBG program contractors that the Commonwealth
of Kentucky has provided the United Stated Department of Health and Human
Services, including prohibitions regarding partisan political activities, voter
registration, and transportation of voters to the polls; or
(f) The CAA is structured and functions in a
manner inconsistent with state or federal laws or administrative
regulations.
(2) Upon
discovery of one (1) or more of the conditions noted in paragraphs (b) through
(f) of this subsection, the cabinet shall notify the CAA in writing of its
initiation of the termination process and the reasons for termination. The
notice shall advise the CAA that, in accordance with this section and
42 U.S.C.
9901-9912,
it is entitled to an informal hearing.
Section 2. Hearing Procedures. The CAA shall
be given fifteen (15) days from receipt of notification to inform the cabinet
in writing that it wishes to exercise its right to a hearing. The hearing shall
be conducted within thirty (30) days of the original notification of initiation
of the termination process. The notification shall also include:
(1) A requirement that the CAA, to receive
continued CSBG funding, shall agree to cooperate with the cabinet appointed
hearing officer throughout the termination process.
(2) If the CAA does not agree to submit to
the cabinet review specified in Section 1 of this administrative regulation,
the cabinet shall send to the CAA a notice of funding suspension, pending
termination, pursuant to this administrative regulation and as governed by
KRS
273.451. Simultaneous with suspension notice
to the CAA's, the cabinet shall notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and the department shall advise the suspended CAA of its right to seek
direct funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) The services of an impartial hearing
officer shall be obtained by the cabinet. Notice of the hearing time and date
shall be provided, with proof of receipt of notice, to both the CAA or
appropriate public officials at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing. The
cost for the hearing officer and the services of the certified reporter and the
original transcript of the proceedings shall be borne by the Cabinet for Health
and Family Services. The CAA shall bear the cost of its copy of the transcript
of proceedings.
(4) The hearing
shall be conducted in accordance with due process before a qualified hearing
officer. The report of the hearing officer shall be sent by registered mail to
both parties within thirty (30) days of the completion of the
hearing.
(5) The cabinet shall
review the hearing officer's recommendation and shall base its decision on
findings of fact and conclusions of law that substantiate grant termination
pursuant to this administrative regulation. The cabinet shall notify the CAA of
the cabinet's final determination within thirty (30) days.
(6) If the cabinet's decision is to suspend
or terminate funding to the CAA, the cabinet shall also, with its notice to the
CAA, advise the CAA of the provisions for review of the termination proceedings
to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pursuant
to Section 676(a) of the Act.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
KRS
194A.050,
273.448,
42 U.S.C.
9901-9912,
Title 45
C.F.R. 96.1