Federal Management Weaknesses Cry Out for Alternatives To Deliver Programs and Services to Indians To Improve Their Quality of Life

Gao ID: CED-78-166 October 31, 1978

During the last decade, there has been increasing congressional activity with the goal of improving the quality of life of Indians. Recent GAO reports have shown the need for greater Federal efforts to meet this goal. A Bureau of Indian Affairs Reorganization Task Force concluded in its March 1978 report that a general management crisis pervades the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

In spite of recommendations by GAO and other groups dealing with Indian affairs, Federal agencies have failed to correct weaknesses in their management of programs and services to Indians. These weaknesses have led to needless suffering by Indians and to increased administrative costs. The following weaknesses were noted in BIA and other Federal programs and services: the need for effective supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of Federal and tribal performance to assure effective use of funds; lack of a defined role for some Federal agencies; the need for training and technical assistance for tribal governments; lack of agency coordination; and shortages of funds and staff.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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