Review of Yolo County, California, Economic Opportunity Commission Concerning Matters Affecting Local Poverty Programs

Allegations concerning the Yolo County Economic Opportunity Commission's administration of certain federal antipoverty programs were investigated.

The GAO review indicated that: (1) the Commission's 1980-81 Head Start grant application did eliminate the Head Start scholarship program as it existed, but only one eligible child was enrolled; (2) the Commission's Head Start staff did not fail to visit children in the home-based Head Start program as required or to provide the proper training or group experiences to program participants; (3) no discrepancy existed in 1978-79 between the number of children claimed to be served and those actually served; (4) the staff failed to provide services needed by a handicapped child from September 1979 to May 1980; (5) there was no inordinate amount of travel by Commission staff, but specific incidences of improper reimbursements for unauthorized travel expenses were referred by GAO; (6) funds budgeted for consumable school supplies as well as employee training were used on numerous occasions to buy lunches for staff; (7) a board election was canceled; (8) no evidence was found to indicate that the Commission offered low-income weatherization to ineligible homeowners, but rental homes were weatherized in violation of contractual provisions; (9) the Senior Citizens Nutrition Program failed to provide the contracted meals to certain residents; and (10) no erroneous presentation was made concerning a multicounty food and nutrition grant proposal. GAO observed certain management deficiencies such as the lack of effective program oversight, poor communication, and failure to assure compliance with performance standards, as well as a lack of agreement as to staff responsibilities.