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What is Public Assistance?
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COVID-19 Public Assistance (PA) Grant Application Deadlines:
- Request for Public Assistance (RPA) were due as of July 1, 2022.
- Applicants were to submit RPAs through FEMA’s Grants Portal system.
- Federal grant cost-share under the PA program decreased from 100% to 90% for any projects with work completed on or after July 1, 2022.
- 100% Funding: FEMA applied 100% federal funding to all eligible COVID-19 costs for work performed and items used from the beginning of the incident period through 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022
- 90% Funding: In Section 311 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Congress directed the federal share of assistance for the COVID-19 disaster declarations to be at least 90%. FEMA applied the 90% federal cost-share to funding for all eligible costs for work performed and items used on or after July 1, 2022. This includes any P.P.E. or other supplies purchased for a 60-day time.
- Project applications and all supporting backup documentation for work completed between January 20, 2020 to July 1, 2022 are due to FEMA no later than December 21, 2022. All backup documentation should be uploaded into the FEMA Grants Portal, per project.
If you have any questions, please contact your FEMA Program Delivery Manager (PDMG) or reach out to Stacy Massaconi, DEMA State Public Assistance Officer (SPAO) (Stacy.Massaconi@delaware.gov).
F.A.Q.: Non-COVID PA Grant Cost-Share Changed:
What Happens Next?
On March 15, President Biden signed "H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022" into law, which granted a minimum 90% federal cost-share for any emergency or major disaster declarations with an incident period between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the new 90/10 cost-share adjustment, "the enacted law authorized an increase to the standard 75% federal cost-share to at least 90% for Public Assistance (PA), the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and specified Individual Assistance (IA) programs authorized under emergency and major disaster declarations."
In Delaware, DR-4566 Tropical Storm Isaias and DR-4627 Remnants of Hurricane Ida are both within the associated timeframe for the increased cost-share. Therefore, the increased federal cost-share directly benefits applicants with projects in all phases, including those that have already been obligated and those still in project formulation and will be obligated in the future.
1. Process: Applicants do not need to request the change to increase their cost-share: this process was initiated automatically in the FEMA Grants Portal for all affected projects. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) PA team is verifying all applicant projects affected by the additional grant funding increase were accurately adjusted.
2. Agreements: Those applicants with increased obligated project awards will be contacted to sign amended or initial Public Assistance Sub-Recipient Award Acceptance Agreement letters acknowledging the increase in funding. Once the administrative process is complete, DEMA PA staff will work diligently to coordinate awarding the additional PA grant funding.
3. Timeline: Our team is working on updating all award letters and agreements affected by this change, and it will likely be the end of August before you will see the effects of the increased cost-share for your grants.
PA Resources (All disasters):
For more information and questions about this new PA guidance, please contact DEMA State Public Assistance Officer (SPAO) Stacy Massaconi at Stacy.Massaconi@delaware.gov.
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FEMA PA Grants: Test-to-Treat Guidance for COVID-19
The Test-to-Treat initiative, released as part of the White House updated National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, makes it easier for people at high risk of severe disease to quickly access COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments. FEMA will continue to support the fight against COVID-19 by offering funding through the Public Assistance Program to state, local, tribal nation, and territorial (SLTT) government entities for eligible costs related to Test-to-Treat sites. These Test-to-Treat sites will offer rapid COVID-19 testing, an assessment from a medical provider, and prescription and administration of oral antiviral treatments, if medically appropriate. In some cases, the sites may also offer vaccinations. Test-to-Treat sites will provide all of these services and treatments at no cost to individuals.
FEMA will offer Public Assistance grant funding to applicable SLTTs and eligible private nonprofit medical care providers for activities conducted at Test-to-Treat sites that are eligible for reimbursement under the PA program. As a condition of receiving this financial assistance, potential Applicants must comply with all of the equity requirements detailed in FEMA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance (Interim) policy.
The process to potentially receive PA reimbursement funding for Test-to-Treat sites is the same process used for all other COVID-19 work and costs under the PA program for the COVID-19 disaster. (For example, period of performance dates and cost-share percentages are no different for test-to-treat sites under Category B for emergency work, than for previous eligible work performed under the COVID-19 PA program and disaster). All applicants must be legally responsible for the emergency work they are conducting and applying for reimbursement. FEMA’s policies, fact sheets, and guidance documents for COVID-19 PA grants are available here. Please download the entire FEMA fact sheet to learn more about the eligibility under FEMA PA grants for work considered eligible as part of the Test-to-Treat sites initiative.
For more information and questions about this new PA guidance, please contact DEMA State Public Assistance Officer (SPAO) Stacy Massaconi at Stacy.Massaconi@delaware.gov.
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DEVOAD Quarterly Meeting
When: 25 July at 4pm via Zoom.
As many of you are aware, following the Response to the Hurricane Ida flooding in Wilmington last fall, DEVOAD helped the affected community by establishing a Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG). Delaware has had two natural disasters that were candidates for the formation of an LTRG: Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020 and the Wilmington flooding in 2021 following the remnants of Ida. Many adjoining states have multiple LTRGs either being formed or in operation: West Virginia has six, Pennsylvania has several, and so on. Because this is becoming such a recurring phenomenon, the focus of this Quarterly Meeting is on the formation and operation of LTRGs. There will be multiple speakers with experience who can share their advice and lessons learned. For any questions, please contact the State Chair for the Delaware VOAD, Ian (Toby) French, at delawarevoad@gmail.com.
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Food Bank of Delaware
Through a network of community partners, the Food Bank of Delaware distributes food to more than 114,000 food-insecure Delawareanse. Identifying where emergency food is easily accessible and where gaps in service are located helps the organization better serve those in need. Thanks to the support of our community partners, volunteers, donors and other committed stakeholders, the Food Bank of Delaware has distributed more than 26 million pounds of food since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. In addition to our much-needed food distribution services, we are also committed to identifying long-term solutions to poverty through workforce development programs and community outreach and education.
The types of data that are collected:
- Backpack Program
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
- Mobile Pantry
- Hunger Relief Partner
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New Castle County
When: July 22 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus - Newark, 400 Stanton Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713
Register in advance: Here
Kent County
When: July 15 starting at 8:30 a.m.
Where: TAC Assembly: 16 E Mt Vernon St, Smyrna, DE 19977
Register in advance: Here
When: July 20 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Dover Motor Speedway (enter through Leipsic Road entrance): 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Register in advance: Here
Sussex County
When: July 18 starting at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Crossroad Community Church: 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown, DE 19947
Register in advance: Here
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New Resources for Flood Insurance Risk Rating
If a property owner doesn’t know their flood risk, they cannot know their premium rate or what mitigation actions to consider. As we’ve rolled out the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) new rating system, Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action, we’ve been hearing the same two questions from policyholders and industry partners: “How does FEMA calculate my rate?” and, of course, “How can I reduce my flood risk and pay less?”. To provide answers to these important questions, the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) has published new materials on the Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action resource webpage on FloodSmart.gov. These user-friendly educational tools are a part of our commitment to increasing transparency and communication. The materials provide in-depth explanations on topics ranging from flood risk variables and individualized policy pricing to discounts and other options available to policyholders. This collection is updated regularly, and insurance providers are encouraged to use and share these resources to help their clients protect the lives they’ve built and bring us closer to closing the flood insurance gap.
Webinars:
For information on flood preparedness, visit:
To help individuals with low and no-cost preparedness tips, visit Ready.gov.
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New Climate Modeling Predicts Increasing Occurrences of Flash Floods Across Most of the U.S.
A research team led by the University of Oklahoma, with the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory and collaborators at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, have created simulations from coupled climate and hydrologic models demonstrating widespread increases in the occurrences of flash flooding events across most of the United States. They found that if emissions continued at their current rate, flooding events would become 7.9% "flashier” by the end of the century, meaning heavy rainfall events are likely to occur quickly and in concentrated areas that are likely to lead to flooding.
Additional Information: New Climate Modeling Predicts Increasing Occurrences of Flash Flooding Across Most of the U.S.(ou.edu)
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Find Your Flood Map
On the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC), you may research, view, and download (free) the available inventory of products such as flood maps, and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report that accompanies the flood map and other mapping products.FEMA's Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program empowers individuals, organizations, and communities to take proactive steps to reduce flood risk. Whether you are an engineer performing a flood risk analysis, a state planner designing and implementing a hazard mitigation plan, or a well-informed homeowner who has purchased flood insurance, learn how Risk MAP can help. View Region 3 mitigation data using "MitMaps," which combines numerous resources to communicate natural hazard risk information in Region 3.
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FEMA P-2181, Hurricane and Flood Mitigation Handbook for Public Facilities
FEMA P-2181, Hurricane and Flood Mitigation Handbook for Public Facilities is a new tool released this year that can help state, local, tribal and territorial governments, public facilities, private nonprofits, and others seeking ways to reduce hurricane and flood risk to public infrastructure facilities. The document is comprised of six fact sheets. The first fact sheet is an introduction, while the remaining five fact sheets are related to hurricane and flood mitigation. These topics include Roads, Water Control Facilities, Buildings, Public Utilities and the last being Parks, Recreation and Other.
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FEMA P-499, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction
FEMA P-499, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction (English and Spanish editions available) is a series of 37 fact sheets providing technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings. The fact sheets present information aimed at improving the performance of buildings subject to flood and wind forces in coastal environments. Photographs and drawings illustrate the National Flood Insurance Program regulatory requirements, the proper siting of coastal buildings, and recommended design and construction practices for building components, including structural connections, the building envelope, and utilities.
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The National Weather Service Coastal Flood Extent Map
The National Weather Service has developed a new experimental Coastal Flood Extent Map. Using the options at the bottom of the page, you can get a general idea of the potential extent of coastal flooding when water levels are expected to reach a certain category (minor, moderate, major). The information should not be interpreted as an exact representation of the expected extent of the flooding. The available overlay options are meant to illustrate the potential extent of flooding at the different categories (minor, moderate, major), not the depth of the water. The overlays do not account for the effects of wind, rainfall, wave action, erosion, subsidence or future construction. https://www.weather.gov/erh/coastalflood?wfo=phi
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FEMA Announces Dam Safety Grant Opportunities
Application Deadline: July 15, 2022
Additional Information: FEMA.gov
On May 16, FEMA released the Fiscal Year 2022 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) grant program Notice of Funding Opportunity. The grant program is authorized and funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The grant program provides technical, planning, design, and construction assistance in the form of grants for the rehabilitation of eligible high-hazard potential dams. Eligible applicants must be eligible sub-recipients, which include non-federal governments and non-profit organizations.
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The Tree For Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) & Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
July 15, 2022 | 10:00-11:00am
Join: Here
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy (DCCE) recently partnered with the Delaware Forest Service to launch the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI). TEDI aims to cultivate a healthy Delaware that supports planting trees as a nature-based solution for recreation, wildlife habitat, climate mitigation, and the well-being of all Delawareans. TEDI is a new program geared towards leveraging funding for tree planting projects, involving communities in an important environmental effort, and collecting tree planting data from across Delaware. Tune in to learn how you can participate in TEDI.
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Social Science Simplified Virtual Training
Understanding Stakeholders
July 19, 2022: 9:00-11:30 EDT
Writing Effective Survey Questions
July 19, 2022: 12:30-2:30 EDT
Conducting Interviews
July 20, 2022: 9:00-11:00 EDT
Register here.
Join NOAA's Digital Coast and the Coastal Training Program as we learn more about social sciences and the impacts on decision making. The social sciences are a valuable but often overlooked element of coastal zone management. From marsh migration to flood mitigation, inherent in all coastal issues is a critical human component. Space is limited and registration is required.
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FEMA Region 3 Coffee Break Webinars. FEMA Region 3 is hosting a webinar series for hazard mitigation planners and other partners interested in reducing risk in their communities. These “Coffee Breaks” are hour-long webinar sessions hosted every other month to provide mitigation best practices and highlight the work happening at federal, regional, state, and community levels to reduce risk across the region. Please see below for descriptions of all upcoming Coffee Breaks. You can register here.
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IPAWS is Hosting Users Conference
Date: July 27
How to Register: Register here
Cost: Free
IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) is FEMA's national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio.
Emergency managers and public safety officials, especially those not currently using IPAWS for public alerting are encouraged to register. Any questions about the Users Conference can be directed to IPAWS Stakeholder Engagement.
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FEMA Co-Hosts the 11th Annual Building Resilience Conference
Dates: July 28-29
Register: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington D.C.
Cost: Free
This year's agenda is designed to inspire action and spark insightful discussions that will drive solutions to some of the greatest challenges. Speakers will address key issues such as ensuring equity in disaster response, supply chain coordination, cross-sector collaboration, climate adaptation, pre-disaster resilience investment and more. The conference is free to attend. To learn more visit, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
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State/Local Damage Assessment Training
When: August 9-10th
Where: DEMA ESC, in-person
Register: Online through the Delaware Learning Center (DLC)
This two-day Delaware-based course covers topics such as Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) data-collection requirements, the technology used for conducting damage surveys, and roles/responsibilities for various entities in the damage assessment and data collection process. This training is more expansive than the previous DEMA courses in that it will detail examples of damage categories for potential PA declarations and will review the impact statement requirements for potential IA declarations. Target audience members include localities, state agencies, electrical cooperatives and NGOs that conduct and share information during the damage assessment process post-event. Those interested may sign up directly in the Delaware Learning Center (DLC).
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The Integrated Warning Team (IWT)
Date: September 14 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
Registration Deadline: September 2
Register: here
Location:
- In person class: Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center (53 Academy Drive in Westampton Township, New Jersey)
- Virtual option also available
The Integrated Warning Team (IWT) includes the National Weather Service and key partners in emergency management, the media, transportation, public utilities, and academia. The purpose of the IWT is to foster communication and to find ways to provide better and more consistent messaging to the public when significant weather events occur. During the workshop, we hope to go through an event scenario, have a panel discussion and cover several topics of interest. We will be working with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) to offer professional development points for our media partners who are AMS certification holders.
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T-Mobile's Hometown Grant
T-Mobile partnered with Smart Growth America and Main Street America, two consulting partners with a combined experience of over 60 years working to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities. With our Hometown Grant program, we’re investing big in small towns by awarding up to 100 towns a year with project funding—up to $50,000 each. Applications will be open on a quarterly basis with the following schedule:
- Spring: Applications open January – March
- Summer: Applications open April – June
- Fall: Applications open July – September
- Winter: Applications open October – December
- Visit: T-Mobile's Hometown Grant
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WEBINARS, TRAINING, & CONFERENCES
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DOVER, DE (June 18, 2022) – Parents of children ages 6 months through 5 years old, will be able to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 starting the week of June 20, 2022, according to the Division of Public Health (DPH). Vaccines for this youngest age group received final sign off for Emergency Use Authorization, from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Friday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today. Read more here.
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Sussex group seeks to build on COVID response successes
During the early months of the COVID pandemic, many efforts to respond to the needs and issues it created came together quickly to provide necessary relief and services. Now one such effort - the Cape Community Coordination for COVID-19 – is trying to take the connections made and lessons learned and expand the scope of its work.The group is renaming itself the Cape Community Coalition to reflect that change and we talked to two people involved - Patti Drago and Danielle Swallow – about their work to date and plans for the future.
Listen to the podcast here. |
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Find a Vaccination & Testing Location Near You!
- Find a Vaccine near you by visiting: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/
- Testing: A list of testing locations can be found at de.gov/gettested.
- At-Home Testing Kits: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/home-test-kit/
- COVID-19 Boosters Shots: Stay informed about who is available and where you can get your booster shots in Delaware by visiting: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/additional-doses/
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Stay Connected & Share with your Networks!
Want to add someone to the distribution list, have a story to share, or are experiencing issues receiving this newsletter because of firewalls or spam filters, please add Stephanie Swisher (Stephanie.Swisher@delaware.gov) to your email contact lists. You can review any past newsletter editions here.
We hope you are well and thank you for reading!
Brought to you by the Recovery Team at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), in partnership with Delaware Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).
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