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C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. <br />Mayor <br />William V. Brilhante, Jr. <br />Managing Director <br />County of Hawaii <br />DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT <br />25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301 • Hilo, Hawail 96720-4252 <br />(808) 961-8366 • Fax (808) 935-1205 <br />E-mail: chresdev@co.hawaii.hi.us <br />January 14, 2025 <br />Via Hand Delivery and electronic mail <br />Honorable Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chairperson <br />and Members of the County Council <br />25 Aupuni Street <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Benson Medina <br />Director <br />Dennis Lin <br />Deputy Director <br />o <br />C1 Q [7 <br />a a <br />79 <br />� r= <br />`rtc; <br />o ;> <br />RE: Bill 112 <br />AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 25-45, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET <br />OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026 <br />Increases revenues in the Federal Grants — Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act <br />account ($1,600,000); and appropriates the same to the following Workforce Innovation <br />and Opportunity Act 2025-2026 accounts: Administrative/Planning ($200,000), Adult <br />Program ($650,000), Dislocated Worker Program ($300,000), and Youth Program <br />($450,000). Funds would be used to provide services that enhance employment <br />opportunities, job retention, earnings, skill development, and literacy. <br />Honorable Chair Inaba, <br />The Department appreciates the support of the Council in the amendment to the County budget to <br />accept the allocation of $1,600,000 in federal funds for the Workforce Innovation Opportunity <br />Act. We have provided some contextual information for the Council and specific data and <br />information that was requested. <br />Core Purpose of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act ("WIOA") <br />The primary goal of WIOA is to strengthen the U.S. workforce by providing individuals —particularly <br />those with barriers to employment —access to high -quality jobs and careers, while simultaneously helping <br />employers hire and retain skilled workers. <br />The Three Mandatory Title I Programs are: <br />1. Adult Program: Serves individuals I8+ with a priority on veterans, public assistance recipients, <br />and low-income residents. <br />2. Dislocated Worker (DW) Program: Targets proactive intervention for those laid off due to <br />business closures or economic shifts (e.g., the decline of specific agricultural sectors or tourism <br />slumps). <br />3. Youth Program: Targets at -risk youth (ages 14-24) to ensure they complete secondary education <br />and transition into post -secondary training or the workforce. <br />Roles of WIOA <br />WIOA requires a "separation of powers" required by federal law. Under WIOA, the County cannot be the <br />judge, jury, and executioner of the funds simultaneously. I <br />Comm. o <br />Ref. To: <br />Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. Date LAN 2 s 7�2s <br />