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i. All claims must be submitted to DCS for review. Documentation should be uploaded into Virtual ROMA for DCS to complete a review prior to notifying the agency of actions to be taken. The claim will either be substantiated, denied, or referred to the MDHS Office of Inspector General.

ii. For substantiated claims, clients will be denied assistance following program penalties and will be coded as sanctioned in Virtual ROMA.

2) Reporting Suspected Representative of an Agency Fraud - Representatives of an agency include employees, board members, or volunteers. If it is suspected that a representative of an agency has committed waste, fraud or abuse, it is incumbent upon the individual reporting the fraud to provide documentation in support of their claim. Documentation should include but is not limited to proof of misrepresentation or falsified document. All suspected fraud should be reported immediately.

i Suspected waste, fraud or abuse by an employee of an agency should be reported to their immediate supervisor. If the reporter’s supervisor is suspected of fraud, it should be reported to the Executive Director. If it is believed that the Executive Director may be committing fraud, the activity should be reported to the Board of Directors. The Division of Community Services should also be notified when an executive director has been reported to the Board.

ii If it is believed that a member of the Board of Directors is involved, then the activity shall be reported to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-299-6905 or by mail. The Division of Community Services should also be notified.

MDHS Office of Inspector General 200 South Lamar Street Jackson, MS 39201

iii In the event that the agency is unable to support its claim but suspects that waste, fraud and abuse has taken place, the case must be referred to MDHS Office of Inspector General for investigation at 1-800- 299-6905 or email fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.

3) Reporting Vendor Suspected Waste, Fraud, or Abuse If it is suspected that a vendor has committed waste, fraud or abuse, it is incumbent upon the individual reporting the fraud to do their due diligence to provide documentation in support of their claim. Documentation should include, but is not limited to, proof of misrepresentation or falsified document.