Archived - Audit of the Quality Management Program and the Application of the Intervention Policy - Follow-up Report Status Update as of March 31, 2011

Policy revisions and related guidance to provide, at a minimum, clarity regarding:

• IP-related roles, responsibilities, accountabilities and expectations regarding IP design, development, implementation, and monitoring across key stakeholder groups including the CFO Sector, Programs and Regional Operations (particularly FSOs).
• When a recipient's level of intervention should be escalated or de-escalated.
• Expectations for a risk-based and integrated strategy and approach to evaluate compliance with the IP at a National and Regional level.
• Minimum standards of documentation related to ongoing monitoring activities, such as trip reports (notes of site-visits), minutes of meetings, decisions, action-items and responsibilities to ensure a consistent approach within and across regions.
• Practices, including monitoring, related to the timely receipt and review of RMPs as well as the enforcement of IP requirements in cases when RMPs are not received from recipients.
• An approach for tracking the status of recipients under intervention, tracking and documenting progress against plans at a regional level and for providing regional information to HQ for purposes of assessing overall effectiveness of the IP, and

A sustainable strategy and approach be established to performing regional quality assurance reviews to monitor and validate compliance with the IP.

Update/Rationale:

A review was carried out in summer 2009 and a full evaluation during the fall of 2009. Subsequently the Intervention Policy was significantly redrafted as the Default Prevention and Management Policy. First Nations were engaged on this draft Policy in summer 2010. Approval of the Policy is anticipated in the first quarter of 2011-2012.

AES: The recommendation will be closed once the policy has been approved and announced formally.

As of 31/03/2011:

The CFO, in collaboration with Senior ADM Regional Operations and Programs established interim tools. Approval of the new Policy on Default Prevention and Management is expected in imminent. A supporting directive and final guidance and tools relating to the Management Action Plan is expected to be finalized by the end of the first quarter of 2011-2012.

AES: The recommendation will be closed once the policy has been approved and announced formally and final guidance / supporting tools have been finalized and communicated.

• Roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders in regions and at HQ.
• The Departmental approach and policy that defines expectations for implementing, monitoring and sustaining a risk-based approach to compliance reviews (including programs delivered via third party agents.
• Departmental policy/guidance regarding acceptable model(s) for ensuring timely compliance reviews taking into account the attributes of those individuals assigned with such responsibilities (including their independence from the day-to-day activities)

* Quality Management Program components to be tailored to the unique circumstances of Northern Regions.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

An umbrella Quality Management Framework was drafted in Summer 2010. This document is being further refined based on comments at the Departmental Operations Committee. When finalized, this Framework will articulate the Department's vision for quality management. In addition, the Policy on Transfer Payments. Management Control Framework will provide quality management guidance for all grants and contributions programs that is consistent with the Policy on Transfer Payments. PTP guidance documents are expected to be ready for approval early in 2011-2012. Individual program branches responsible for grants and contributions will be responsible for building quality management principles into their guidance documents. All other branches will be responsible for quality management in their areas consistent with the overall framework and with policies and directives relating to their operations (e.g., IMIT).

AES: Implementation on-going. The recommendation will be closed once the Quality Management Framework has been implemented and PTP guidance has be finalized and communicated to internal stakeholders.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

RO Regions have developed compliance plans. These are being updated for 2011-2012. In addition RO Regions and Social Program are working together to develop a comprehensive approach to risk based compliance and program management. RO regions will examine options for enhancing Education and Community Facilities Maintenance Program compliance approaches in 2011-2012.

AES: Implementation on-going. The recommendation will be closed upon completion of the comprehensive approach to risk-based compliance and program management.

Update/Rationale:
As of 31/03/2011:

Baseline data from all regions has been gathered and the identification of a minimum standard is being developed.

AES: Implementation on-going. The recommendation will be closed once the standards have been finalized, the model for recipient review completed and the expectation for the roles and composition of ARCs defined and implemented.

Update/Rationale:
As of 30/09/2009:

AES: Fully implemented. The recommendation has been closed.