Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 17, 2024

Title 20 - Employees' Benefits last revised: Sep 30, 2024
§ 684.600 - To whom is the Indian and Native American program grantee accountable for the provision of services and the expenditure of Indian and Native American funds?

(a) The INA program grantee is responsible to the INA community to be served by INA funds.

(b) The INA program grantee also is responsible to the Department of Labor, which is charged by law with ensuring that all WIOA funds are expended:

(1) According to applicable laws and regulations;

(2) For the benefit of the identified INA client group; and

(3) For the purposes approved in the grantee's plan and signed grant document.

§ 684.610 - How is this accountability documented and fulfilled?

(a) Each INA program grantee must establish its own internal policies and procedures to ensure accountability to the INA program grantee's governing body, as the representative of the INA community(ies) served by the INA program. At a minimum, these policies and procedures must provide a system for governing body review and oversight of program plans and measures and standards for program performance.

(b) Accountability to the Department is accomplished in part through on-site program reviews (monitoring), which strengthen the INA program grantee's capability to deliver effective services and protect the integrity of Federal funds.

(c) In addition to audit information, as described at § 684.860 and program reviews, accountability to the Department is documented and fulfilled by the submission of quarterly financial and program reports, and compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant award.

§ 684.620 - What performance indicators are in place for the Indian and Native American program?

(a) Pursuant to WIOA secs. 166(e)(5) and 166(h), the performance indicators at WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(i) apply to the INA program which must include:

(1) The percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;

(2) The percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from the program;

(3) The median earnings of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program;

(4) The percentage of program participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (subject to WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(iii)) during participation in or within 1 year after exit from the program;

(5) The percentage of program participants who, during a program year, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment; and

(6) The percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit.

(b) In addition to the performance indicators at WIOA sec. 116(b)(2)(A)(i), the Department, in consultation with the Native American Employment and Training Council, must develop a set of performance indicators and standards that are applicable to the INA program.

[81 FR 56428, Aug. 19, 2016, as amended at 89 FR 13613, Feb. 23, 2024]
§ 684.630 - What are the requirements for preventing fraud and abuse under the WIOA?

(a) INA program grantees must establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure the proper disbursal of, and accounting for, Federal funds. Such procedures must ensure that all financial transactions are conducted and records maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(b) Each INA program grantee must have rules to prevent conflict of interest by its governing body. These conflict of interest rules must include a rule prohibiting any member of any governing body or council associated with the INA program grantee from voting on any matter which would provide a direct financial benefit to that member, or to a member of his or her immediate family, in accordance with § 683.200(c)(5)(iii) of this chapter and 2 CFR parts 200 and 2900.

(c) Officers or agents of the INA program grantee must not solicit or personally accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from any actual or potential contractor, subgrantee, vendor, or participant. This rule also must apply to officers or agents of the grantee's contractors and/or subgrantees. This prohibition does not apply to:

(1) Any rebate, discount, or similar incentive provided by a vendor to its customers as a regular feature of its business; and

(2) Items of nominal monetary value distributed consistent with the cultural practices of the INA community served by the grantee.

(d) No person who selects program participants or authorizes the services provided to them may select or authorize services to any participant who is such a person's spouse, parent, sibling, or child unless:

(1)(i) The participant involved is a low-income individual; or

(ii) The community in which the participant resides has a population of less than 1,000 INAs combined; and

(2) The INA program grantee has adopted and implemented the policy described in the 4-year plan to prevent favoritism on behalf of such relatives.

(e) INA program grantees are subject to the provisions of 41 U.S.C. 8702 relating to kickbacks.

(f) No assistance provided under WIOA may involve political activities.

(g) INA program grantees must comply with the restrictions on lobbying activities pursuant to sec. 195 of WIOA and the restrictions on lobbying codified in the Department regulations at 29 CFR part 93.

(h) The provisions of 18 U.S.C. 665 and 666 prohibiting embezzlement apply to programs under WIOA.

(i) Recipients of financial assistance under WIOA sec. 166 are prohibited from discriminatory practices as outlined at WIOA sec. 188, and the regulations implementing WIA sec. 188, at 29 CFR part 38. However, this does not affect the legal requirement that all INA participants be INAs. Also, INA program grantees are not obligated to serve populations outside the geographic boundaries for which they receive funds. However, INA program grantees are not precluded from serving eligible individuals outside their geographic boundaries if the INA program grantee chooses to do so.

§ 684.640 - What grievance systems must an Indian and Native American program grantee provide?

INA program grantees must establish grievance procedures consistent with the requirements of WIOA sec. 181(c) and § 683.600 of this chapter.

§ 684.650 - Can Indian and Native American grantees exclude segments of the eligible population?

(a) No, INA program grantees cannot exclude segments of the eligible population except as otherwise provided in this part. INA program grantees must document in their 4-year plan that a system is in place to afford all members of the eligible population within the service area for which the grantee was designated an equitable opportunity to receive WIOA services and activities.

(b) Nothing in this section restricts the ability of INA program grantees to target subgroups of the eligible population (for example, the disabled, substance abusers, TANF recipients, or similar categories), as outlined in an approved 4-year plan. However, it is unlawful to target services to subgroups on grounds prohibited by WIOA sec. 188 and 29 CFR part 38, including tribal affiliation (which is considered national origin). Outreach efforts, on the other hand, may be targeted to any subgroups.

authority: Secs. 134, 166, 189, 503, Public Law 113-128, 128 Stat. 1425 (Jul. 22, 2014)
source: 81 FR 56428, Aug. 19, 2016, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 20 CFR 684.640