Yesterday, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office released potential charges in a case where Face to Face was the victim of alleged fraud. Because transparency is of upmost importance to us, we are sharing the series of events that led to this release of information.

In 2021, Face to Face’s internal safeguards led us to suspect an alleged rental assistance fraud with one of its programs. We conducted an internal investigation and then hired a forensic accounting and private investigation firm to investigate further. It was determined that there was evidence of fraudulent activities related to rent subsidies, gift cards, and credit cards. This information was turned over to the St. Paul Police Department for investigation.

During the internal investigation, we also learned that the program manager responsible had hired her associates to work at the organization. All staff connected to this fraudulent scheme were terminated in 2021. Face to Face followed all protocols in hiring the staff involved, including background checks and references.

Face to Face has been able to minimize the impact of this alleged criminal act on the young people we serve. The organization’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors immediately evaluated and implemented additional process improvements.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office reviewed the charges and evidence that was gathered. On December 5, 2023, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office released the potential charges. The police continue to lead the investigation and Face to Face is fully cooperating.

Face to Face reported the incident to stakeholders and funders whose funds were impacted by the fraud. The Office of Legislative Auditors confirmed all reporting and follow-up procedures were done appropriately. They also reviewed the financial controls in place and recent updates to those controls after the fraud. The auditors were satisfied with the process followed and financial controls in place.

Face to Face was reimbursed by its liability insurance company for the resources embezzled and funders were repaid.

The alleged fraud has not disrupted Face to Face’s rental assistance program. Rental assistance services have been provided through Face to Face to youth in need throughout the investigation and continues to be available.

Despite such a difficult experience for all involved, Face to Face has continued to grow and meet youth needs.

If you have any questions about this case, please contact Melissa Peterson, Director of Development and Community Engagement at [email protected] or 651-772-5555.

As this year’s Women’s History Month ends, I can’t help but be torn between celebration and concern. We have come so far in advancing equity for women, and yet there is still much work to be done.

I remember my mother and aunts couldn’t open bank accounts without their husbands and today youth quickly and easily set up their own accounts via apps on their smartphones, without needing permission from anyone.

Every day at Face to Face we see the strengths of young people in action as they work hard to gain employment, go back to school, and turn their physical and mental health around. It’s a privilege to help them build on those strengths and yet we also see they still need our support as they continue to confront inequity and personal and community violence.

Last week we shared a troubling article from the Washington Post on The Crisis in American Girlhood. The author reported on findings from federal researchers that, “have ramifications for a generation of young women who have endured an extraordinary level of sadness and sexual violence — and present uncharted territory for the health advocates, teachers, counselors and parents who are trying to help them.”

This article both saddens and emboldens me. We can celebrate young women being the first in their family to go to college or opening their own businesses, and at the same time work hard to support them by providing medical care that includes choices and access to mental health care as they continue to fight oppression.

At Face to Face, we are committed to providing confidential, non-judgmental, and youth-centered reproductive health care. We focus on providing medically accurate information so young people can make the best decision for their life plan.

Last year, 16% of our medical and mental health visits were free of charge to uninsured youth, and we will continue to provide free care to those who need it, while also assisting them in enrolling in health insurance coverage whenever possible.

We must help more young people get the support they need to reverse this youth health crisis.

Help us spread the word about our services for young people whenever you can. Follow us on social media and share our content on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

As a 10th grader in the article put it, she is “close friends” with her mother but doesn’t talk about mental health at home. “I haven’t told her too much. And I don’t plan to.”

Sometimes young people need someone outside their family with which to discuss difficult topics and our mental health professionals and health educators are here for that exact reason. Parents and caregivers can also set up appointments with health educators to get support as they talk with their young person. Call our clinic today at 651-772-5555.

And I’d like to send a special thank you to our supporters for working to change the world by investing in girls and women. When we believe, mentor, support, and invest in girls, they contribute to a community of confident women with unlimited possibilities.

Sincerely,
Hanna

PS – If you’d like to cover some of the expenses of those uninsured medical and mental health visits mentioned above, give here today: face2face.org/campaign/donate/

Hanna Getachew-Kreusser
Executive Director
[email protected]
651-772-5556
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Face to Face | face2face.org
Clinic | 1165 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | 651-772-5555
SafeZone | 130 E 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101 | 615-224-9644