FY 2014 Community Assistance Program State Support Services Element Region 4 | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The FY 2014 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP SSSE) for FEMA Region 4 is a discretionary cooperative agreement that funds state-level floodplain management programs to support communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The core purpose is twofold: first, to help local governments understand and correctly carry out NFIP floodplain management requirements through hands-on technical assistance; and second, to evaluate how well communities are actually implementing those requirements in day-to-day permitting, inspections, and enforcement. In FY 2014, FEMA makes it clear that the biggest emphasis is on compliance and enforcement, treating those as essential to achieving the NFIP goal of reducing flood losses. Training, map adoption support, disaster work, and other assistance are still part of the overall strategy, but the driving priority is a credible system for identifying noncompliance and correcting it.

A central requirement of the program is that participating states conduct Community Assistance Visits (CAVs) and Community Assistance Contacts (CACs). These are structured interactions with local NFIP communities used to review floodplain management administration, identify problems, and deliver targeted guidance to fix them. FEMA requires states to use a risk-based method to decide which communities receive these visits and contacts, relying on the NFIP guidance for CACs/CAVs and continuing to use the CAV Tier 1 Prioritization Tool as the standard for selecting CAV targets. States and regions may choose Tier 2 communities only by exception and must document the justification in FEMA's Community Information System (CIS). FEMA also expects states to do more than just document issues; they must provide follow-up technical assistance aimed at correcting deficiencies and remedying violations as much as possible, and they are expected to elevate unresolved compliance problems to the FEMA Regional Office. All CAV and CAC activity must be entered into CIS so FEMA can track and monitor performance across the program.

Another major required activity is ordinance assistance, with heavy attention on map adoption and keeping local floodplain regulations aligned with current FEMA hazard data and NFIP minimum standards. The program stresses that communities must adopt compliant ordinances before new or updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective. FEMA requires state cooperative agreements to include a performance measure for map adoption, defined as the percentage of participating communities that have adopted an ordinance referencing the updated map by the FIRM effective date. For FY 2014, states must build in a mandatory map adoption rate of 93 percent or higher, making this one of the clearest numeric accountability requirements in the announcement.

Several other activities are encouraged or optional but still treated as important tools for improving NFIP performance statewide. States may choose to do strategic planning, using guidance developed with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), to assess program capacity, anticipate future demands, and identify efficiencies or expanded service opportunities. States may also optionally conduct an annual CAP Gap Analysis using FEMA's CAP GAP tool; FEMA notes these analyses have historically supported budget justifications and can be refined and resubmitted to inform future-year planning and funding discussions. In addition, states are encouraged to maintain and update state model floodplain management ordinances that reflect 44 CFR 60.3 requirements and any state-specific provisions, and to help communities adopt stronger standards where appropriate.

The funding also supports work that connects floodplain management ordinances with the broader state regulatory environment, particularly building codes. Many states adopt building codes based on the International Code Council's I-Codes or National Fire Protection Association standards, and those codes often include NFIP-consistent flood provisions unless modified. FEMA expects states to understand and communicate how code enforcement affects local NFIP compliance, and to coordinate with state code commissions or similar agencies that issue interpretations. FEMA notes that a model companion ordinance designed to coordinate with I-Code-based building codes will be provided to regional offices, and FEMA Headquarters' Building Science Branch can provide training on flood provisions of the International Codes at Regional CAP conferences when requested.

Outreach and training are strongly encouraged as practical ways to improve compliance and local capability. States are urged to run workshops and training for local officials and a wide range of stakeholders who influence floodplain outcomes, such as insurance agents, lenders, adjusters, realtors, surveyors, and design professionals. Training topics can include enforcing floodplain regulations, understanding hazard information, and NFIP insurance education. FEMA also encourages professional credentialing through ASFPM's Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) program; CAP SSSE funds may be used for state staff costs tied to the initial CFM exam and biennial renewals, and states are encouraged to sponsor and proctor exams. The notice explicitly states CAP SSSE funds cannot reimburse individual ASFPM membership fees. Travel costs for state floodplain management staff to attend the ASFPM National Conference, FEMA regional CAP coordination meetings, and state Silver Jackets coordination meetings may be eligible, and other relevant meetings may be covered if approved in advance by regional CAP staff. In some cases, and only at the region's discretion, limited funds may support local officials attending or assisting with the ASFPM conference held within their state, but this must be negotiated as part of the annual agreement.

Beyond visits, ordinances, and training, CAP SSSE supports ongoing general technical assistance to communities and individuals on NFIP-related floodplain management issues, help with enrolling communities into the NFIP, and assistance with the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS support can include helping communities understand program requirements, conducting entry CAVs, and supporting activities that can earn CRS credit, which ultimately can reduce flood insurance premiums for policyholders in participating communities. The program also includes mapping coordination assistance tied to FEMA's Flood Map Modernization and Risk MAP efforts. States are expected to coordinate with regions on mapping priorities and participate in community meetings during the mapping process. FEMA highlights an important boundary: CAP SSSE and Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) Program Management funding must be planned separately but coordinated closely so they complement each other and avoid duplication. Also, neither CAP SSSE nor CTP Program Management funds may be used to conduct floodplain studies or develop floodplain maps, though both can support related activities like map adoption, training, and outreach.

Coordination across state programs is also emphasized, reflecting how floodplain management intersects with mitigation, infrastructure, and land and water policy. States are encouraged to align CAP SSSE work with other state-administered programs affecting flood risk, including Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation (as referenced in the notice), and Flood Mitigation Assistance. The announcement also points to coordination with dam safety programs, land use and water resources agencies, building code programs, and state agencies that routinely work in floodplains such as departments of transportation or port authorities. Where states use executive orders or state regulations to meet NFIP requirements, coordination on adoption and implementation is encouraged.

While FY 2014 prioritizes compliance and enforcement generally, FEMA calls out two specific problem areas that deserve special scrutiny during CAVs: mechanical, electrical, and utility equipment located below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and flood openings that do not meet the requirements in 44 CFR 60.3(c)(5). FEMA notes these two violation types accounted for about half of observed violations in the referenced evaluation, so states are expected to pay particular attention to these issues when reviewing local permitting and construction practices. FEMA also indicates that, in coordination with the State NFIP Coordinator, the Regional Office may decide to conduct a CAV of the state floodplain management program itself, and may request help coordinating with agencies, collecting data, and preparing for that review.

On disaster support, the program encourages post-disaster technical help for NFIP communities, including guidance on substantial damage determinations (and use of Substantial Damage Estimating Software), assistance promoting and applying Increased Cost of Compliance coverage, and help connecting communities with mitigation programs. FEMA notes these disaster-related tasks are generally not built into the standard annual CAP SSSE agreement ahead of time but can be negotiated when a disaster occurs, with the agreement formally modified to reflect the added work.

Administratively, this opportunity is listed as Funding Opportunity Number DHS-14-MT-023-004-99 under CFDA 97.023, with an estimated total program funding level of $10.4 million and an expected 52 awards. The instrument is a cooperative agreement and includes a cost share or matching requirement (the notice indicates matching is required, though it does not provide the percentage in the excerpt provided). Eligibility is limited to the state agency designated by state statute or the governor's declaration as the NFIP State Coordinating Agency under 44 CFR 60.25, which narrows applicants to the official state-level NFIP lead. The posting date was May 8, 2014, with an application deadline of July 1, 2014, and an archive date of July 31, 2014. The program is administered through FEMA Region 4, and the listed point of contact is Jason Hunter, Region 4 Mitigation Division CAP SSSE Coordinator (770-220-5471, Jason.Hunter@fema.dhs.gov).

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