NCI gets reprieve, funding from IHS

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — NCI says it will remain open at least another year.

The anticipated funding from Indian Health Services has been secured, according to a news release dated April 10 and issued by Na’nizhoozhi Center, Inc. Interim Executive Director Jay Azua. Na’nizhoozhi Center, Inc., better known as NCI, is the area’s only detoxification facility.

Police deposited into NCI some 17,000 publicly intoxicated people during 2008 — in a town of about 20,000 permanent residents. Gallup Police Deputy Chief John Allen estimates that NCI’s protective-custody service has cut in half the number of drunken men and women found on the streets of Gallup, since its incorporation in 1992.

Azua said Wednesday that he has been assured that NCI will receive the annual $1.5 million appropriated by Indian Health Service, a division of the U.S. Division of Health and Human services, which is distributed by Navajo Nation Division of Health.

The money distributed by Navajo Nation accounts for about half of NCI’s annual operating budget.

NCI’s board of directors found itself in a precarious financial situation last month — having only enough money to operate until May — if the Navajo Nation funds did not come through.

That realization came after years of poor financial management at the 501(c)(3) non-profit detoxification facility.

The independent auditing firm Moss-Adams LLP has cited poor financial reporting when auditing NCI’s annual budget, every year since 1996. Moss-Adams LLP did not begin auditing NCI’s budget until 1996. Other deficiencies highlighted in the most recent audit include NCI’s “cash management,” “cash reconciliation” and “balance sheet account reconciliation.”

“We continue to reinforce our methods for fiscal responsibility,” Azua wrote.

Reporter Phil Stake can be reached at philip.stake@gmail.com, or by calling (505) 863-6811 x223.