FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 21, 2010

Peace Corps Office of Inspector General Receives two Awards for Excellence from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 21, 2010 The Peace Corps Office of Inspector General received two awards on October 19 for excellence from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Geoffrey Johnson, Senior Evaluator Susan Gasper, and Senior Special Agent Mark Supple received the Special Act Award for their work assessing the medical care provided to Volunteers in Morocco and a related inquiry into the quality of medical care provided to a specific Volunteer.

CIGIE also recognized former Assistant Inspector General for Audit Gerald Montoya, Expert/Consultant Jeffery Lee, and Senior Evaluator April Thompson for their performance audit of Peace Corps process for soliciting, awarding, and administering contracts.

Although the two projects were unique in scope, both resulted in a commitment by Peace Corps management to implement recommendations that will significantly improve the operations of the agency said Peace Corps Inspector General Kathy Buller.

The work on Morocco provided agency decision makers with critical information on Peace Corps management and operations. The work is serving as a catalyst for the significant reorganization and modification of the agencys process for providing health care services to more than 7,600 American citizens currently serving as Volunteers world-wide.

The performance audit represents a significant contribution to enhancing and reforming Peace Corps contract management and administration practices to ensure they are more effective and efficient and comply with key federal laws and regulations.

CIGIE is a statutorily established independent entity within the executive branch representing 73 Offices of Inspector General in the federal government. CIGIEs mission is to promote integrity, economy, and effectiveness in government agencies as well as to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of personnel in the OIG community.

As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 77 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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