Objective

To determine the extent of implementation of the 10 recommendations included in our initial audit report, Oversight of Afterschool and Summer Youth Employment Contracts (Report 2017-N-7).

About the Program

The New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (Department) sponsors a network of community-based programs intended to help alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for New York City youth and families. To achieve these goals, the Department contracts with local organizations (providers) to run youth and community development programs, including afterschool and summer employment programs. Two of these programs are the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and the Comprehensive Afterschool System of New York City (COMPASS). SYEP provides New York City youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to 6 weeks in July and August. The Department contracts with providers who, in turn, secure employment opportunities at local employers. The program’s goal is to provide participants with the skills, training, and work opportunities necessary to succeed in employment. COMPASS provides young people enrolled in grades K–12 with academic support, arts, cultural experiences, and sports/recreation activities when school is not in session. COMPASS services are administered by local providers.

The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, Inc. (Ridgewood) is a Queens County-based not-for-profit provider that offers educational services, counseling, truancy prevention, job preparation, and employment opportunities to youth and young adults (participants). For the period July 1, 2015 through October 10, 2017, Ridgewood administered 27 contracts totaling $13.9 million with the Department.

The objectives of our initial audit report, which was issued on June 28, 2019 and covered the period July 1, 2017 through December 11, 2018, were to determine whether the Department was effectively overseeing its afterschool and summer employment programs operated by Ridgewood; whether program participants were selected based on established criteria; and whether expenditures were program appropriate and adequately supported. Auditors determined that the Department was not adequately overseeing its afterschool and summer employment programs contracted through Ridgewood. For example, auditors found  compliance issues with program policies and contracts and identified payments for inappropriate expenditures and duplicate compensation costs paid for overlapping services.  

Key Finding

Department officials made limited progress in addressing the issues identified in our initial report. Of the report’s 10 recommendations, five were partially implemented and five were not implemented.

Key Recommendation

Officials are given 30 days after the issuance of the follow-up review to provide information on any actions that are planned to address the unresolved issues discussed in this review.