Finding
HIDOE does not have current Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including Infrastructure Funding Agreements (IFAs) in place for three of the four local workforce development areas.
The management of the one-stop delivery system is the shared responsibility of States, Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), elected officials, the six WIOA core programs, required one-stop partners, and other additional one-stop partners, one-stop operators, and service providers. WIOA requires the LWDBs to enter into MOUs with all one-stop partners. The MOU is an agreement under which each one-stop operates and includes specific information outlined in WIOA law and regulations. The MOU must contain the signatures of the LWDB, one-stop partners, the chief elected official(s), as well as identify the duration of the MOU and procedures for amending it. The IFA, which supports the costs associated with the one-stop delivery system, is a component of the MOU. The MOUs must be reviewed and updated not less than every three years to reflect any changes in the signatories or partners, operations of the one-stop, or one-stop infrastructure funding. IFAs should be reconciled annually and adjusted accordingly.
Hawaii has four local workforce areas across the State. Two of the local workforce areas, Oahu and Maui, have noncompliant MOUs that are lacking the required signatures. One local workforce area, Kauai, does not have an MOU in place. The review team confirmed that one local workforce area, Hawaii county, does have a compliant MOU, including an IFA, that will expire in April 2024. The noncompliant MOUs were executed at various times, with end dates in 2025 and 2026.
The State must ensure that all local workforce areas have current and compliant MOUs, including IFAs.
Section 121(c) of WIOA; 34 CFR §§ 463.415, 463.420, 463.500, 463.510, 463.710, 463.715, and 463.720