Audit of the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (November 14, 2024)
November 14, 2024 · Office for Refugees and Immigrants · Read the full official report on mass.gov ↗
Published November 14, 2024 Audit covers July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022 Under Diana DiZoglio · 2023–present
source
“Below is a summary of our findings, the effects of those findings, and our recommendations, with links to each page listed.”
Read the plain-English breakdown
This is a state performance audit of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants covering July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.
“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.”
The audit checked whether ORI properly oversaw refugee health services, made health assessments available in understandable languages, and monitored citizenship-support services.
“The purpose of this audit was to determine the following:”
Weak oversight can mean refugees miss needed care, language help, or timely support on the path to citizenship.
“If ORI does not perform monitoring activities over the RHAP, then refugees may not receive important healthcare services or may not be screened for communicable diseases, which may place vulnerable populations at risk.”
If you are a Massachusetts resident, this matters because state programs are supposed to help refugees and immigrants access healthcare, social services, and citizenship help effectively.
“ORI partners with resettlement agencies and community and faith-based organizations in Massachusetts to provide services to refugees and immigrants, such as health assessments, social services, and assistance with naturalization.”
The auditor found ORI had oversight gaps in all three areas reviewed, though the report says ORI did some monitoring to some extent.
“Based on the results of our testing, we determined that, during the audit period, ORI did not always conduct monitoring activities over the RHAP.”
The auditor recommended more regular site visits, better documentation, and clearer tracking of language needs; ORI said it is working with DPH and reviewing its processes.
“Based on its response, ORI is taking measures to address this matter.”
The report is significant because ORI’s mission is to help refugees and immigrants take part in Massachusetts life, and the audit says oversight weaknesses could interfere with that mission.
“Section 205 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws states, “The purpose of [ORI] is to promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of the commonwealth.””
RHAP is the refugee health checkup program; CNAP is the citizenship-help program; DPH is the Department of Public Health; ORI is the Office for Refugees and Immigrants.
“The Refugee Health Assessment Program (RHAP), which is administered through ORI, provides health assessment services to eligible refugees who enter the United States through Massachusetts within 90 days of their entry.”
What the Auditor checked
- Partially To what extent did ORI monitor the Refugee Health Assessment Program (RHAP) as required by Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws and its fiscal year 2021 and 2022 interdepartmental service agreements with the Department of Public Health (DPH)?
- Partially To what extent did ORI ensure that health assessment services were available in languages that refugees and immigrants could understand as required by Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws?
- Partially To what extent did ORI monitor the Citizenship for New Americans Program (CNAP) as required by Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws?
What the Auditor found
Why it matters: Refugees may not receive important healthcare services or be screened for communicable diseases, placing vulnerable populations at risk.
Standard: Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section B of ORI’s interdepartmental service agreement with DPH. ( Section 207 Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws; Section B of ORI’s interdepartmental service agreement with DPH )
3 recommendations
- ORI should conduct formal site visits with all RHAP providers at least annually.
- ORI should conduct formal site visits with DPH to monitor DPH’s administration of the RHAP at least annually.
- ORI should document all its desk reviews of DPH’s Trimester and Annual Reports.
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "Looking forward, the ORI is fully committed to launching site monitoring visits to the DPH by the state fiscal year following."
Auditor: "Based on its response, ORI is taking measures to address this matter."
Why it matters: Participants’ healthcare needs may not be communicated or addressed if assessments are not provided in a language they understand.
Standard: Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws. ( Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws )
2 recommendations
- ORI should ensure that RHAP participants receive interpretation services when required.
- ORI should ensure that health assessment forms have a field for RHAP participants to document their preferred languages.
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "Language access is a cornerstone of effective Refugee Health Assessment Program (RHAP) services."
Auditor: "As such, because ORI does not retain RHAP referral forms for its RHAP participants, we maintain that the need for interpreter services should also be documented on each RHAP participant’s health assessment form (a different document) to ensure that RHAP participants receive their health assessments in their preferred language and to create an audit trail that allows for improved oversight and transparency to the public on these matters."
Why it matters: ORI risks funding providers that do not meet program goals and risks unnecessary delays for participants seeking citizenship.
Standard: Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws and Section M of ORI’s CNAP Additional Contract Requirements for fiscal year 2022. ( Section 207 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws; Section M of ORI’s CNAP Additional Contract Requirements for fiscal year 2022 )
3 recommendations
- ORI should hold kickoff conference calls with CNAP providers at the beginning of each fiscal year.
- ORI should document meeting minutes for its kickoff conference calls and fiscal year close conference calls with CNAP providers.
- ORI should hold site visits with all CNAP providers at least annually during the fiscal year under review.
Agency response & Auditor reply
Agency: "ORI recognizes the importance of effective monitoring for its CNAP program."
Auditor: "Therefore, we maintain that, by not performing its CNAP monitoring activities, ORI risks funding CNAP providers that may not be meeting annual outcomes of the program."
More audits of this entity
Other Office of the State Auditor reports on Office for Refugees and Immigrants .
- Audit of the Office for Refugees and ImmigrantsOther · December 12, 2019