Overview
- The Oct. 22 report found MONSE lacked case management, grant billing, and a clear scope of work for the youth diversion pilot, concluding the program was not ready for expansion.
- Investigators said $694,798 routed to community groups lacked controls, and a MONSE chief of staff told providers the funds were not restricted to SideStep participants.
- MONSE did not bill the state Department of Juvenile Services for $357,775 in Youth Opportunity Coordinator costs from 2023–2024, and the OIG urged the city to recover the money.
- Outcome reporting was unreliable, with MONSE highlighting a 14% rearrest rate at six months while DJS records indicated recidivism later exceeded 40%.
- MONSE says it has redesigned portions of the program and strengthened tracking and is working with DJS on reimbursements, as the OIG continues its probe and the pilot remains paused.