Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 2 | DHS 19 MT 023 02 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FY 2019 CAP-SSSE (FEMA Region 2)

What is the FY 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) for FEMA Region 2?

CAP-SSSE for FEMA Region 2 is a discretionary federal funding opportunity intended to strengthen how states support local floodplain management under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It funds state-level work that helps communities participate effectively in the NFIP, meet required floodplain management standards, and improve the day-to-day implementation of flood loss reduction measures.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The core purpose is to invest in state capacity so states can provide hands-on technical assistance to local jurisdictions and conduct evaluation-style reviews of how well participating communities are carrying out NFIP floodplain management responsibilities. The program is designed to improve consistency, accountability, and community-level implementation of NFIP requirements.

Who is the federal awarding agency for this program?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates active federal involvement and coordination during the period of performance, rather than a purely hands-off grant structure.

What does CAP-SSSE support in practical, on-the-ground terms?

In practical terms, CAP-SSSE supports state staff and activities that (1) provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions on floodplain management topics and (2) evaluate community implementation of NFIP floodplain management responsibilities. The goal is to help communities navigate complex compliance and implementation issues while also strengthening oversight and performance improvement.

What kinds of technical assistance are communities expected to receive indirectly through the state?

The program is intended to ensure communities have access to knowledgeable guidance on issues such as floodplain management rules, mapping and regulatory interpretation questions, and program compliance topics that may be difficult for smaller local governments to manage without state support.

How does this program relate to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

The entire program is tied to strengthening community participation and performance under the NFIP by funding state-level support functions. It is focused on helping communities follow required NFIP floodplain management standards and improving implementation of flood loss reduction measures.

What is the role of the State Coordinating Agency under this opportunity?

A key feature is the reliance on the State Coordinating Agency framework described at 44 CFR 60.25. That framework describes the designation, duties, and responsibilities of the state entity that coordinates NFIP support within the state. The opportunity emphasizes that a state must demonstrate both commitment to minimum floodplain management criteria and the capability to administer and support the program effectively.

Which federal regulation is specifically referenced in the opportunity description?

The opportunity points to 44 CFR 60.25 as the regulatory basis for the State Coordinating Agency framework used for NFIP support and coordination.

What outcomes is FEMA trying to achieve through CAP-SSSE?

The expected impact is twofold: (1) improved community access to expert guidance on floodplain management and compliance issues, and (2) a structured way to review and improve community performance, identifying gaps in compliance or capacity before they lead to larger flood losses or program problems. Over time, this is intended to build stronger state and local capability and deepen floodplain management expertise.

How does this program help FEMA and the NFIP overall?

It supports the NFIP by creating a structured approach to reviewing and improving community floodplain management performance. By identifying compliance or capacity gaps earlier, the program aims to reduce the likelihood of larger flood losses and broader program issues.

Is this program intended to fund local governments directly?

No. The opportunity is oriented toward state-level coordination and support functions. It funds state capacity to guide and assess local floodplain management, rather than functioning as a direct-to-community funding program.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligibility is limited to state governments and special district governments.

Is eligibility open to nonprofits, individuals, or municipalities?

The information provided lists eligibility as limited to state governments and special district governments. Other applicant types are not included in the stated eligibility.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The associated Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) listing is 97.023.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 15, 2019.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was May 15, 2019.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making under this Region 2 notice?

FEMA anticipated making three awards under this FEMA Region 2 notice.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The published award ceiling is listed as 0. In summarized postings, this commonly indicates that a specific maximum dollar amount was not provided in the summary (often because amounts depend on allocations, negotiations, or program formulas) rather than indicating that no funds are available.

What FEMA region does this notice cover?

This is a FEMA Region 2 funding opportunity notice.

What general activity categories does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is labeled under multiple activity categories, including community development, disaster prevention and relief, environment, natural resources, regional development, and related technical and research-oriented areas. These categories align with the program's focus on reducing flood risk through better governance, technical assistance, and compliance support.

What is meant by "oversight-style evaluations" in the program description?

Based on the description, this refers to state-led evaluations of how well participating communities are carrying out their NFIP floodplain management responsibilities. The intent is to review performance, identify gaps in compliance or capacity, and drive improvements over time.

Why does this opportunity emphasize commitment and capability at the state level?

The opportunity emphasizes that states must show commitment to minimum floodplain management criteria and the capability to administer and support the program effectively. By anchoring the grant to the State Coordinating Agency structure described in regulation, FEMA is aiming for consistent, accountable implementation across communities.

How is flood loss reduction connected to this program?

CAP-SSSE is designed to improve the implementation of flood loss reduction measures by strengthening state support and evaluation of community floodplain management under the NFIP. Improved compliance and technical capacity are intended to translate into better flood risk reduction outcomes over time.

What is the overall summary of the CAP-SSSE Region 2 FY 2019 opportunity?

In summary, CAP-SSSE Region 2 for FY 2019 is intended to improve NFIP outcomes by investing in state capacity to guide and assess local floodplain management. It relies on the State Coordinating Agency framework in 44 CFR 60.25 to promote accountability and consistent implementation across participating communities.