Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 7 | DHS 19 MT 023 07 01

FAQs: FY 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 7

1. What is the FY 2019 CAP-SSSE - Region 7 grant opportunity?

It is a FEMA grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to strengthen how states support and oversee local community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It funds state-level work that helps communities understand and carry out NFIP floodplain management requirements and allows states to review whether participating communities are implementing those requirements effectively.

2. What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The core purpose is capacity-building and oversight support at the state level. The program is intended to reduce flood losses over time by improving the day-to-day capability of states and local jurisdictions to manage development in flood-prone areas, enforce floodplain rules, and keep NFIP participation in good standing.

3. Which federal agency administers this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by FEMA within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

4. How is this program connected to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

CAP-SSSE specifically supports state efforts to help communities meet NFIP floodplain management requirements and to evaluate whether communities participating in the NFIP are administering their floodplain management programs effectively.

5. What does it mean that the award is a discretionary cooperative agreement?

It means the funding is offered as a cooperative agreement in which FEMA generally expects an active partnership with the recipient, rather than a hands-off, pass-through type of award.

6. What are the two main activities funded under CAP-SSSE?

The program focuses on two main activities: (1) technical assistance to communities and (2) community performance evaluation (such as monitoring and review activities).

7. What types of technical assistance activities may be supported?

Technical assistance can include helping communities interpret floodplain management standards, improve permitting and inspection processes, update or adopt compliant floodplain ordinances, coordinate on flood maps and flood risk data, and train local officials who make development decisions in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

8. What is meant by "community performance evaluation" in this program?

Community performance evaluation generally involves activities such as community assistance visits or similar monitoring efforts where the state reviews a community's NFIP administration and floodplain management program to identify strengths, gaps, and needed corrective actions.

9. Why does FEMA fund these services at the state level rather than directly for each community?

By funding state-level services, the program aims to create consistent, informed support for many local governments at once, rather than requiring each community to navigate complex NFIP requirements on its own.

10. How does CAP-SSSE help reduce flood losses?

The program is intended to reduce flood losses over time by improving floodplain management capability, strengthening enforcement and administration of floodplain rules, and improving compliance with NFIP requirements.

11. What is the role of the State Coordinating Agency (SCA) in CAP-SSSE?

A key feature of CAP-SSSE is that it is closely tied to the formal role of the State Coordinating Agency (SCA) described in 44 CFR 60.25. The grant is meant to reinforce the state's institutional capacity to administer and champion effective floodplain management through support and oversight functions.

12. What is 44 CFR 60.25 and why is it relevant to this grant?

44 CFR 60.25 is a federal regulation that addresses the designation, duties, and responsibilities of the State Coordinating Agency (SCA). It emphasizes the state's commitment to NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria and the state's capability and accountability in providing support and oversight for NFIP participation.

13. Is this program intended to fund one-off local construction projects?

No. Based on the description provided, CAP-SSSE is meant to reinforce long-term state capacity and community expertise in floodplain management and NFIP compliance rather than funding one-off local projects.

14. Who is eligible to apply for CAP-SSSE - Region 7?

Eligible applicants for this Region 7 competition include state governments and special district governments.

15. What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists CFDA number 97.023.

16. How many awards are expected for this opportunity?

The posting indicates an expected four awards.

17. What are the key dates listed for the original posting and closing?

The original posting date is April 15, 2019, and the original application closing date is May 15, 2019.

18. What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is listed as 0. This typically indicates the public synopsis is not stating a specific maximum per award and that actual award amounts may depend on FEMA allocation decisions, negotiated work plans, or other program guidance for that fiscal year and region.

19. What funding activity category is associated with CAP-SSSE?

The funding activity category is broad and reflects the cross-cutting nature of floodplain management and NFIP implementation, including areas such as community development, disaster prevention and relief, environmental management, natural resources, and related technical and planning fields.

20. What kinds of community outcomes is CAP-SSSE trying to support?

The program aims to support consistent application of floodplain management standards, improved NFIP compliance, stronger state and local expertise, reduced flood risk over time, and continued community eligibility tied to NFIP participation and compliance.

21. How does CAP-SSSE support communities in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs)?

It can fund training and technical assistance for local officials involved in development decisions in Special Flood Hazard Areas, as well as support for improving local permitting, inspection, and ordinance compliance related to flood risk management.

22. What is the practical benefit of the program for communities participating in the NFIP?

The practical benefit is having stronger state-provided guidance, training, and evaluation support so communities can better understand and carry out NFIP floodplain management requirements and address any identified gaps through corrective actions.