Texas State Auditor's Office - Summary of Report 23-027

A Performance Audit

An Audit Report on Healthcare Services at the Juvenile Justice Department

May 2023

Overview

Background

The Juvenile Justice Department (Department) established processes to help ensure that youth in custody at state-operated secure facilities received healthcare services in accordance with requirements outlined in its contract with The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). However, auditors identified areas where processes could be improved.

The Department established contract monitoring processes to perform on-site monitoring of state-operated secure facilities, halfway houses, and contract care facilities. However, the Department should ensure that issues identified as a part of those on-site reviews are adequately addressed with corrective action plans.

LOW

Healthcare Services

The Department established processes to ensure that youth in custody at its state-operated secure facilities receive healthcare services required by its contract.

Jump to Chapter 1-A

MEDIUM

Policy and Process Implementation

The Department had processes to administer medication but did not always ensure that UTMB completed the required documentation when youth refused medication. Additionally, pre-release exams were performed inconsistently for youth transferring to halfway houses.

Jump to Chapter 1-B

MEDIUM

Facility Monitoring and Contract Management

The Department performs on-site monitoring reviews at facilities housing youth in custody; however, the Department did not ensure that all issues were addressed by corrective action plans.

Jump to Chapter 2

LOW

Information Technology

The Department established processes to manage and maintain youth data; however, the Department should ensure that annual user access reviews are performed.

Jump to Chapter 3

Internal Audit

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