Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 4 | Apply Online

FY 2019 CAP-SSSE (Region 4) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the FY 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 4?

CAP-SSSE - Region 4 is a FEMA grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that funds state-level work to strengthen local floodplain management under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program focuses on building state capacity to support and oversee how participating communities carry out NFIP floodplain management requirements.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

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

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The main purpose is to improve how states support communities that participate in the NFIP by providing technical assistance and by evaluating whether communities are implementing NFIP floodplain management requirements correctly and consistently. Over time, this is intended to reduce flood losses and improve floodplain management quality across participating jurisdictions.

How does CAP-SSSE reduce flood losses?

The program supports state assistance and oversight that helps communities administer and enforce floodplain management requirements more effectively. By improving consistency, identifying gaps through evaluations, and promoting corrective actions, communities can strengthen compliance and adopt better flood loss reduction practices, which can reduce flood-related damages and insurance losses.

What does it mean that this is a "discretionary cooperative agreement"?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning it is competitive and involves ongoing collaboration with FEMA rather than operating like a simple pass-through grant with minimal federal involvement.

Is the CAP-SSSE - Region 4 opportunity competitive?

Yes. Because it is a discretionary cooperative agreement, it is competitive for this funding cycle.

What types of activities can CAP-SSSE funding support?

Based on the opportunity description, CAP-SSSE funding supports state-level activities that help communities implement NFIP floodplain management requirements, including hands-on technical assistance and community evaluations to assess local program performance and compliance.

What kinds of technical assistance may be provided to communities?

The program supports state advising and assistance on day-to-day NFIP implementation issues such as floodplain ordinance administration, permitting and compliance questions, and substantial damage and substantial improvement determinations.

What are "community evaluations" in the context of CAP-SSSE?

Community evaluations are reviews supported by CAP-SSSE funding that examine whether local floodplain management programs meet minimum NFIP criteria and whether local practices are effectively managing flood risk. These evaluations can identify gaps and recommend corrective actions to strengthen local capacity and maintain good standing in the NFIP.

How do community evaluations help NFIP-participating communities?

They help by identifying where a community may not be meeting minimum NFIP criteria, highlighting implementation or compliance gaps, and supporting recommendations to correct issues. This can help communities remain in good standing with the NFIP and improve flood risk management practices.

Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligibility is primarily aimed at state governments and special district governments, reflecting the program's focus on state-level coordination and expertise that can be leveraged across multiple local communities.

Is this funding intended for local governments to apply directly?

The opportunity description emphasizes eligibility for state governments and special district governments, and it focuses on state agencies supporting and evaluating local NFIP communities. It does not describe this specific opportunity as being primarily aimed at local governments as direct applicants.

What does the program have to do with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

CAP-SSSE is designed to strengthen implementation of NFIP floodplain management requirements by funding state-level assistance and oversight for communities that participate in the NFIP.

What federal regulation is specifically referenced for state coordination expectations?

The opportunity references 44 CFR 60.25, which describes state coordination expectations, including how states designate a State Coordinating Agency and what that agency is expected to do to support and oversee NFIP participation.

What is a State Coordinating Agency in this context?

Within the scope of this opportunity description, the State Coordinating Agency is the state-designated entity described in 44 CFR 60.25 that is expected to support and oversee NFIP participation and coordinate related state-level assistance.

What region does this funding cycle cover?

This specific opportunity is for FEMA Region 4.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 97.023.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 15, 2019.

What was the application deadline for this opportunity?

The original application closing date was May 15, 2019.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making?

FEMA anticipated making about 8 awards.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?

The published award ceiling is shown as 0. In many listings, that typically indicates the ceiling was not specified in the summary data and that applicants would need to consult the full notice or program guidance for expected funding levels, budgeting rules, or allocation methods.

What public-purpose areas does this program relate to?

The funding activity spans multiple public-purpose areas, including community development and disaster prevention and relief. It also relates to fields such as environment, natural resources, and research and development, reflecting the planning, regulation, mapping, and risk communication aspects of floodplain management.

What kinds of local floodplain management issues can CAP-SSSE work address?

The opportunity description highlights practical NFIP implementation topics such as administering floodplain ordinances, handling permitting and compliance questions, and making substantial damage and substantial improvement determinations.

What is the overall goal of building a state-to-local support structure?

The goal is to create and maintain the state expertise, staffing, and program capability needed so local governments can implement NFIP floodplain management requirements correctly and consistently, improving compliance and reducing flood-related damages over time.

Does this program involve FEMA collaboration after an award is made?

Yes. Because it is described as a cooperative agreement, it involves ongoing collaboration with FEMA rather than minimal federal involvement.

Where should applicants look for details on funding levels and budgeting rules?

The summary information notes that the award ceiling appears as 0 and suggests that applicants would need to refer to the full notice or program guidance to understand expected funding levels, budgeting rules, and any allocation methodology.