AGENCY TESTIMONY
Response to Department of Investigation (DOI) report on shelter providers
0:16:23
·
67 sec
Commissioner Park addresses the Department of Investigation's report on the DHS provider contract process. She highlights DSS's cooperation with the investigation and expresses concerns about certain aspects of the report.
- The DOI investigation began in 2021, with DSS-DHS working to provide accurate and current information.
- The report was published in October 2024 but, according to the Commissioner, did not fully convey the operational and regulatory context of DSS operations.
- Park believes the report did not adequately reflect changes over time or present DSS's proactive role in detecting, investigating, and holding vendors accountable.
- The Commissioner emphasizes DSS's role as a partner in scrutinizing vendors and addressing problems.
Molly Wasow Park
0:16:23
The Department of Investigation commenced its investigation of the DHS provider contract process in 2021.
0:16:30
During the multiyear investigation, DSS DHS made every effort to work with DOI to ensure the investigation factored in the most accurate and current information.
0:16:40
In fact, DSS DHS served as a partner in presenting the processes we undertake to scrutinize vendors, flag problems, and follow-up where standards are not being met.
0:16:50
In October 2024, DOI published its shelter provider report.
0:16:55
While the report highlights much of the multiyear engagement between our agencies, I believe the report did not wholly convey the operational and regulatory context DSS operates within, delineate changes over time so as to reflect current DSS DHS operations, or present the proactive role DSS plays in detecting, investigating, and holding vendors to account.
0:17:16
With respect to the operational and regulatory context within which DHS DSS operates, I will share that the larger landscape of oversight and regulation feeds into DOI observations in ways that are not taken into account in the report.
