OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL PRESENTERS Charles W Hicks

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL PRESENTERS: Charles W. Hicks, Jr. , Interim Inspector General S. Maurice D. Ingram, Manager, Benefits Recovery Unit PRESENTED: DATE: DHS Board Meeting October 21, 2015 Georgia Department of Human Services

AGENDA • • DHS Vision, Mission and Core Values Purpose of Presentation The Benefits Recovery Unit (BRU) BRU Organizational Structure BRU Performance Outcomes BRU Accomplishments BRU Future Initiatives BRU Points of Contact 2

VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES Vision Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. Mission Strengthen Georgia by providing Individuals and Families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Core Values • • • Provide access to resources that offer support and empower Georgians and their families. Deliver services professionally and treat all clients with dignity and respect. Manage business operations effectively and efficiently by aligning resources across the agency. Promote accountability, transparency and quality in all services we deliver and programs we administer. Develop our employees at all levels of the agency. 3

PURPOSE • Provide the Board with an overview of the business operations of the Benefits Recovery Unit (BRU) in the DHS Office of Inspector General. • Discuss the performance outcomes and accomplishments of the Unit during the last five years. • Detail the Unit’s future initiatives designed to increase its effectiveness and efficiency in combating fraud, waste, and abuse. 4

BENEFITS RECOVERY UNIT • Investigate ALL allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse committed by recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF), and the Child and Parents Service Program (CAPS). • Recover established overpayment claims in SNAP and TANF. • Recover funds on defaulted accounts within the Title IV-E Child Welfare Program. • Administer the State Law Enforcement Bureau. • Oversee the Department’s participation in the National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) and Public Assistance 5 Reporting System (PARIS).

BRU ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 119 Full-time Employees 6

PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES Value of Established Claims $ 18 $ 16 Millions $ 14 $ 17 $16 $ 14 $ 12 $ 10 $8 $6 $4 $2 $2011 2012 2013 2014 Established Fraud Claims 5 000 4 500 4 000 3 500 3 000 2 500 2 000 1 500 1 000 500 0 4 346 3 599 3 246 2011 2015 7 2012 2013 3 484 2 816 2014 2015 * Data for 2015 is through 09/30/2015

PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES Average Claim Amount $ 6 000 $ 5 572 $ 5 184 $ 5 000 $ 4 000 $ 3 627 $ 3 976 $ 2 900 $ 3 000 $ 2 000 $ 1 000 $2011 2012 2013 2014 8 2015 * Data for 2015 is through 09/30/2015

ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Since 2010, Georgia has led the Southeast in the establishment of fraud claims in SNAP. Georgia ranks second to Florida in the number of investigations that have been conducted on allegations of suspected fraud in SNAP. • Since 2010, either Georgia or Florida has led the Southeast in the number of recipients who have been disqualified from participating in the Food Stamp Program. • In addition to leading the Southeast in the establishment of fraud claims in SNAP, Georgia also led the nation in 2010, 2011, and 2013 in this investigative area. In 2012, Georgia ranked second nationally; Michigan was ranked first.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS • In May 2014, the US Department of Agriculture's Western Region invited BRU to present at a round table meeting for west coast welfare fraud agencies. The presentation centered on the Department’s success in pursuing recipient trafficking, collecting evidence to establish intentional program violations, and pursuing administrative disqualification hearings or prosecutions. • In October 2014, the Food and Nutrition Service asked BRU to host a training event for members of its Southeastern Region (SERO). The SERO Region is comprised of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. The training focused on exchanging best practices and allowed the states the opportunity to question BRU on its management of fraud investigations in SNAP, TANF,

FUTURE INITIATIVES • Integrated Eligibility System (Gateway) • Fraud Awareness Campaign • Expansion of the Special Operations Group • Training and Staff Development • Law Enforcement Outreach Initiative 11

DHS OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL • 2 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 30. 450 Atlanta, GA 30303 Main Number (404) 463 -5495 Fax Number (404) 463 -5496 • S. Maurice D. Ingram, Manager Office: (404) 463 -1752 Maurice. Ingram@dhs. ga. gov • Charles Hicks, Interim Inspector General Office: (404) 463 -5486 Mobile: (404) 683 -3585 Charles. Hicks@dhs. ga. gov Hotline Email: inspectorgeneralhotline@dhs. ga. gov 12

QUESTIONS 13