FY 2014 Community Assistance Program State Support Services Element Region 3 | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The FY 2014 Community Assistance Program State Support Services Element (CAP SSSE) for FEMA Region 3 is a discretionary cooperative agreement program (CFDA 97.023) that provides funding to designated State NFIP Coordinating Agencies to strengthen how communities participate in and carry out the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The core purpose is twofold: first, to deliver hands-on technical assistance that helps local governments understand and apply NFIP floodplain management requirements, and second, to evaluate and improve community performance in administering those requirements so flood risk and flood losses are reduced over time. In FY 2014, FEMA emphasized that the program should lean harder into compliance and enforcement, meaning the work is not only about education and support, but also about verifying that communities are actually implementing their ordinances correctly and fixing problems when violations or deficiencies are found.

A major required activity under this opportunity is conducting Community Assistance Visits (CAVs) and Community Assistance Contacts (CACs). States must carry out both types of interactions and are expected to use FEMA's risk-based prioritization approach, including the CAV Tier 1 Prioritization Tool, to focus limited staff time on the communities most likely to have significant flood risk, repeated issues, or the greatest need for oversight. While Tier 1 selection is required, Tier 2 communities can be chosen by exception as long as the State and Region document the justification in FEMA's Community Information System (CIS). The program also expects States to treat CACs as a high-value tool for early problem detection, troubleshooting, and targeted technical assistance, rather than relying only on formal visits. Just as important as the visit or contact itself is the follow-up: States are expected to help communities correct program weaknesses, address violations as far as possible, coordinate with FEMA on what corrective actions are needed, and elevate unresolved compliance problems to the FEMA Regional Office. FEMA requires that all CAVs and CACs be entered into CIS so FEMA can track performance and outcomes.

Another high-priority area is ordinance and map adoption assistance. FEMA highlights that communities must have compliant floodplain management ordinances in place, including updates tied to new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and any changes in NFIP minimum criteria. The cooperative agreement must include a performance measure tied to map adoption, and States are required to commit to a mandatory map adoption rate of 93 percent or higher. Practically, that means States are expected to push ordinance review and updates early enough that communities can adopt ordinances referencing updated FIRMs by the maps effective dates, reducing the risk that communities fall out of compliance or face NFIP sanctions due to delayed adoption.

Beyond the required items, the grant outlines several optional but strongly encouraged planning and program-improvement activities. Strategic planning is presented as an optional task that helps States evaluate the current condition of their floodplain management program, anticipate future workload, improve efficiency, and identify opportunities to expand services. FEMA and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) developed guidance to support that work. States may also choose to complete an annual CAP Gap Analysis using FEMA's CAP GAP tool; this analysis is framed as useful both for strategic planning and for producing data that can support future budget and staffing justifications. These planning tools are meant to help States document where capacity is strong, where communities struggle most, and what investments would make the biggest difference.

The opportunity also encourages States to keep their State model ordinances current and to monitor the broader State regulatory environment, especially where building codes intersect with floodplain management. Many States rely on statewide building codes based on model codes (such as the International Codes), and FEMA stresses that States and communities need to understand how those codes are enforced and how they interact with NFIP requirements. The program encourages coordination between the State NFIP Coordinator and State building code authorities, particularly around code interpretations that can affect flood compliance. FEMA notes that a model companion ordinance intended to align with I-Code-based building codes will be provided to the Regions, and FEMA Headquarters expertise (including the Building Science Branch) may be used for training support at Regional CAP conferences.

Training and outreach are another central component. States are encouraged to provide workshops and outreach for local officials and a broad set of stakeholders who influence floodplain outcomes, including insurance agents, lenders, adjusters, realtors, surveyors, and design professionals. The emphasis is on supporting real-world implementation and enforcement of local floodplain regulations, improving hazard identification and risk understanding, and strengthening NFIP-related knowledge in the field. The program also explicitly supports professional development through ASFPM, encouraging State staff to obtain and maintain Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credentials. CAP SSSE funds may cover CFM exam and renewal fees for State employees involved in floodplain management, and States are encouraged to sponsor and proctor CFM exams. However, the funding cannot be used to reimburse individual ASFPM membership dues. Travel costs for State floodplain staff to attend the ASFPM National Conference, FEMA CAP coordination meetings, and State Silver Jackets meetings may be reimbursed, and other relevant meetings may be allowable with advance Regional approval. In some cases, and with Regional discretion and negotiation, limited funding may also support local officials participation in an ASFPM annual conference held within their State.

Several additional support functions are included as eligible activities, reflecting the day-to-day reality of State NFIP coordination. States may provide general technical assistance to communities and individuals on NFIP floodplain management questions, help non-participating communities enroll in the NFIP by guiding them through minimum eligibility steps, and support communities that want to join or improve within the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS-related support can include technical assistance, entry CAVs, and help with activities that earn CRS credit, which can lower flood insurance premiums for residents when communities adopt stronger practices.

The grant also expects coordination with FEMA mapping efforts, specifically Flood Map Modernization and the Risk MAP initiative. States must work with FEMA Regions to set mapping priorities and participate in community meetings tied to mapping. FEMA makes a clear boundary around the use of funds: CAP SSSE and Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) Program Management funding must be planned separately but coordinated to avoid duplication, and neither program's funds can be used to conduct floodplain studies or to develop flood maps. Even so, certain activities overlap and can be supported through either program, such as map adoption support, training, and outreach, so States are expected to coordinate closely to ensure resources are complementary.

Coordination is also encouraged across other State programs and agencies that affect floodplains and mitigation outcomes. FEMA points specifically to Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs (including HMGP, PDM, and FMA), and also to State dam safety, land use, building code, and water resources programs, plus agencies that regularly operate in floodplains like transportation departments or port authorities. The intent is to align floodplain management enforcement and technical assistance with the broader ecosystem of mitigation planning, infrastructure decisions, and State-level regulatory actions, including executive orders and regulations tied to NFIP responsibilities.

While disaster-related work is not typically baked into the annual CAP SSSE agreement, the opportunity anticipates that States may need to provide post-disaster support to NFIP communities. Examples include assistance with substantial damage determinations and use of FEMA tools like Substantial Damage Estimating Software, promoting and advising on Increased Cost of Compliance coverage, and helping communities connect to mitigation funding opportunities. If a disaster occurs, these tasks can be negotiated and added, but the cooperative agreement must be formally modified to reflect the changes.

For FY 2014, FEMA also calls out specific compliance problem areas that deserve extra attention during CAVs: mechanical, electrical, and utility equipment installed below the Base Flood Elevation, and flood openings that do not meet the requirements in 44 CFR 60.3(c)(5). FEMA cites NFIP evaluation findings showing these issues made up about half of observed violations in the quantitative compliance assessment, so reviewers are expected to look closely at these details when checking permits, inspections, and as-built outcomes. Finally, FEMA notes that Regional Offices may sometimes conduct a CAV of the State floodplain management program itself, and may request the State's help with coordination, information gathering, and preparation.

Administratively, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS-14-MT-023-003-99) was posted May 8, 2014, with an application deadline of July 1, 2014, and an estimated total funding amount of $10.4 million across an expected 52 awards. There is a cost share or matching requirement, and eligible applicants are limited to State agencies formally designated by statute or the Governor as the NFIP State Coordinating Agency under 44 CFR 60.25. The Region 3 contact listed for access issues and coordination is Kathryn Lipiecki in the FEMA Region 3 Mitigation Division (215-931-5655, Kathryn.Lipiecki@fema.dhs.gov).

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