Audit raises questions about DFCS handling of foster kid donations

ATLANTA — The Director for the Division of Family and Children Services promises change after an internal investigation found concerns with the way state workers handled money collected from the annual Clark's Christmas Kids campaign. 

Channel 2 Action News Consumer Adviser Clark Howard works with DFCS each year to help give thousands of foster children Christmas presents.

The audit found no fraud, missing money or presents. However, auditors did raise red flags about the way DFCS workers handled cash donations for gifts.

"It is something that I believe in through my heart and soul, and it would pain me so much if anyone ever did have sticky fingers because who would be hurt. It would be the kids," Clark Howard said.

In September, DFCS Director Bobby Cagle's Office of Inspector General received an anonymous complaint alleging potential misuse of funds. Cagle said he instructed the auditors to begin an investigation.

In a preliminary report released by the Office of Inspector General, auditors found that "DFCS does not have adequate controls in place" over the cash donations for gifts, which could expose the program to misuse of funds and/or fraud.

"This is an agency that has had a great deal of difficulties. When I received this report, it did concern me," Cagle told Channel 2's Rachel Stockman.

Cash donations make up a small portion of the program. The majority of people donate gifts with which the program found no issues.

The report, however, did not discover any missing money.

"Relief that even though the proper safeguards aren't there that should be, nothing bad has happened. This is so important to me that we take care of these children," Howard said.

Cagle said the report covered the previous Christmas season, and he has already implemented stricter money management protocols for the 2014/2015 season.

"Ensuring the integrity of this program is at the top of my list because I want every child to have natural childhood, to have that natural experience of being excited to have gifts on Christmas morning," Cagle said.

"Christmas Kids has done for 25 years what it is supposed to do, that is put a smile on Christmas morning," Howard said. "I want those controls in place because I don't want even a hint of scandal that hurt the children."

WSBTV