Audit of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
December 16, 2022 · Massachusetts Commission for the Blind · Read the full official report on mass.gov ↗
Published December 16, 2022 Audit covers January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2021 Under Suzanne M. Bump · 2011–2023
source
“MCB was missing documentation from some of its vendor files.”
Read the plain-English breakdown
This is a State Auditor performance audit of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, focused on its Vending Facilities Program from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, with some 2019 evaluations also reviewed.
“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021.”
Auditors wanted to check whether MCB properly trained and licensed people for the vending program and whether it regularly evaluated licensed vendors.
“The purpose of this audit was to determine whether MCB trains and then licenses vendor applicants for the Vending Facilities Program (VFP) and performs biannual evaluations of licensed operating vendors in VFP.”
The program gives legally blind people priority to run vending facilities, so missing records and missed inspections can affect whether vendors are eligible and whether sites meet standards.
“Without this documentation, there is a higher-than-acceptable risk that the nine vendors associated with these files were ineligible to participate in VFP.”
For residents, the audit is about whether a state agency is properly managing a program that supports employment opportunities for legally blind people and oversees vending facilities in public buildings.
“Through its Vending Facilities Program (VFP), MCB recruits, trains, licenses, and places people who are legally blind to work at vending facilities on federal, state, and certain other properties.”
Auditors found two main problems: some vendor files lacked required documentation, and MCB missed many required twice-a-year vendor evaluations.
“During our test period (calendar years 2019, 2020, and 2021), MCB did not perform 51 (73%) of the required 70 biannual performance evaluations of its vendors and their facilities.”
MCB said it agrees with the recommendations and is updating policies, vendor files, inspections, warning letters, and monitoring procedures.
“The MCB agrees with this recommendation.”
The findings matter because without proper inspections, MCB cannot be sure vendor facilities meet its health and safety standards.
“As a result, MCB cannot ensure that these vendors’ facilities are maintained in accordance with MCB’s health and safety quality standards.”
The Vending Facilities Program is the MCB program that trains, licenses, and places legally blind people to run vending operations such as cafeterias, snack bars, coffee shops, newsstands, and vending machines.
“Vending facilities include newsstands, snack bars / coffee shops, and cafeterias.”
What the Auditor checked
- Did not comply Does MCB license and train applicants to the Vending Facilities Program (VFP) in accordance with Sections 3.04, 3.05, and 3.06(6) of Title 111 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR)?
- Did not comply Does MCB perform routine evaluations of the vendors and their facilities in VFP as required by 111 CMR 3.11 and 3.12(2)?
What the Auditor found
Why it matters: There is a higher-than-acceptable risk that vendors associated with incomplete files were ineligible to participate in the Vending Facilities Program.
Standard: 111 CMR 3.04(1) and 111 CMR 3.06(6) ( Section 3.04(1) of Title 111 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations; 111 CMR 3.06(6) )
1 recommendation
- MCB should develop documentation requirements and related policies and procedures for its VFP and monitoring controls to ensure staff adherence.agency: agreed
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "The MCB agrees with this recommendation."
Auditor: "Based on its response, MCB is taking measures to address our concerns on this matter."
Why it matters: MCB cannot ensure vendor facilities are maintained according to its health and safety quality standards.
Standard: 111 CMR 3.11(2) and 111 CMR 3.12(2) ( 111 CMR 3.11(2); 111 CMR 3.12(2) )
2 recommendations
- MCB should complete vendor facility performance evaluations, send warning letters, and conduct reinspections.agency: agreed
- MCB should develop written policies and procedures, including monitoring, for performance evaluations, warning letters, and reinspections.agency: agreed
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "MCB agrees with this recommendation."
Auditor: "Based on its response, MCB is taking measures to address our concerns on this matter."
More audits of this entity
Other Office of the State Auditor reports on Massachusetts Commission for the Blind .
- Audit of the Massachusetts Commission for the BlindAuthority / Commission · March 28, 2019