10-10-13 foster care audit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An audit is raising questions about nearly $130,000 of transactions made by Wisconsin child-placing agencies between 2010 and 2012.  The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau recommends in its audit released Wednesday that the money be repaid or justified.  The audit is of five out of 24 child placement agencies that the state Department of Children and Families is  responsible for overseeing.  The agencies are licensed by DCF to place and monitor children in foster homes.  The audit was ordered by state lawmakers earlier this year over concerns about excessive salaries, personal expenses and undocumented expenditures at child-placing agencies.  State Sen. Rob Cowles, co-chairman of the Audit Committee, says the report shows the need for improved oversight and financial tracking at the Department of Children and Families.