Community Outreach
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FEMA Resource List

FEMA

Resource Reports

 

  1. New program offerings: Information
  2. COVID-19 Supplemental funds update: Information
  3. Programs supporting Funeral and Burial related expenses: Information
  4. Role of the FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison Information: Information
  5. HUD’s Distressed Cities Technical Assistance Program: Information
  6. Federal programs supporting Broadband: Information  
  7. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) overview of Local & Regional Food Funding: Information
  8. Federal Programs to Sustain Nutrition for At-risk Individuals: Information
  9. Federal Rural Resource Guide: Information
  10. U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

 

Events

 

FEMA’s COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season Webinars

June 8 & 10

FEMA released "COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season" to help emergency managers and public health officials best prepare for disasters, while continuing to respond to and recover from COVID-19. The guide provides actions emergency managers and public officials can take to prepare for response and recovery operations during ongoing COVID-19 response efforts. To expand awareness and understanding of the guidance, FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate is conducting four webinars. The webinars will allow emergency managers an opportunity to discuss how the guidance can assist jurisdictions review and modify their plans given the constraints and limitations of the ongoing pandemic. Download the COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season: here. June 8 Register; June 10 Register

 

CDBG-DR Webinar Series

June 8 & 15
The Office of Block Grant Assistance (OBGA) Disaster Recovery and Special Issues Division (DRSI) is hosting a webinar series for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) grantees to introduce each program. Visit the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT pages on the HUD Exchange for trainings and resources. You must have a HUD Exchange account to register: Instructions.

 

CDBG-DR Key Concepts

June 8

Program Launch: Action Plan to Project Implementation

June 15

 


Designing and Implementing an Emergency HOME TBRA Program Webinar

Deadline: June 10

HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Programs (OAHP) webinar guides the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) through critical initial pre-planning steps involved in determining whether and how to implement a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program using flexibility provided by statutory suspensions and regulatory waivers announced on April 10, 2020. Register.

 
CDFA-ARI Rural Finance Webinar Series: Building the Road to Recovery

June 10

While COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on our economy, rural America must look to rebuilding with resiliency in mind. During the third installment of the CDFA-ARI Rural Finance Webinar Series, we will discuss the development finance tools that can support rural economies. Register

 

Financing Rural Healthcare
June 16

Access to healthcare services is critical for good health in communities across the country. We will discuss financing programs that support healthcare development and showcase successful projects. Register

 

Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning Webinar for State and Local Governments

Part 2: June 18

This 2-part webinar encourages community leaders to take expedient steps to improve or develop new continuity of operations capability and plans in the COVID environment. Register

 

Resilience of Critical Electric Infrastructure Webinar for CDBG-MIT Grantees

June 25

The CDBG-MIT webinars will provide CDBG-MIT grantees with information on best practices for transformative mitigation projects. This webinar series is intended for CDBG-MIT grantees. Register.

 

CDFA-ARI Rural Finance Webinar Series: Access to Capital and Community Facilities

July 8

Although community facilities are challenging to finance, there are a variety of capital and investment sources for these projects available. During the fourth installment of the CDFA-ARI Rural Finance Webinar Series, join us for a discussion of community facilities resources and other accessible capital for rural community development. Register

 

9th Annual Building Resilience Through Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) Conference
July 14 - July 16

This year's PPP Conference will be held virtually. Discussions will focus on building resilience in the midst of a global pandemic, while looking ahead to future emergencies and how we can be better prepared through greater collaboration across sectors. Information

 

Region III Mitigation Coffee Break Webinar - High Hazard Potential Dams

July 15

This webinar will explore how the risk of dam failure can be effectively assessed and addressed. Register


IEDC 2020 Annual Conference
October 11-14
The 2020 IEDC Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas will focus on building resilient and sustainable communities that thrive. Information. Register.

 

FEMA Offers Virtual Public Assistance Training

FEMA is making it easier for state, local, tribal and territorial government partners to create accounts and apply for Public Assistance: 17 YouTube videos and 28 independent study courses online. The videos help guide viewers through how to establish an account, file a Request for Public Assistance, submit streamlined applications and follow other steps in the application process. The independent study courses, hosted by the Emergency Management Institute, provide an overview to the program, application process, and the Grants Portal platform.

 

Financial Resources

 

RURAL LISC Community Facilities Fund

Deadline: ongoing

RURAL LISC (Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation) created Community Facilities Fund to provide capital to help develop and improve essential community facilities in rural areas. Rural LISC utilizes this fund to provide permanent and construction-to-permanent financing for rural community facilities, including health care centers, hospitals, educational facilities, and other nonprofit and public facilities in rural communities with populations under 20,000. Information

 

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders

Deadline: Varies

SAFSF is tracking COVID-19 philanthropic response and recovery funds that focus on the food and agriculture system. List of funders is available here.

 

FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program

Deadline:  Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Funding is available until the $200 million appropriation is exhausted. Eligibility: public and non-profit health care providers. Information

 

Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)
Deadline: Open
USDA Rural Development loans help rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings by providing loans to qualified consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

A Letter of Intent is required. Information

 

CARES Act Grants for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum and Library Services

Deadline: Jun 12

Cost-Share: None required

The goal of this grant program is to assist Indian Tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in responding to the coronavirus pandemic in ways that meet the immediate and future COVID-19 needs of the Native American and Native Hawaiian communities they serve. Information  

 

CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries

Deadline: June 12

Cost-Share: None required

The goal of the FY2020 IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries program is to support the role of museums and libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Information  

 

Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects Program
Deadline: June 12
USDA-RD supports predevelopment costs for water or wastewater projects to finance short-term and small capital projects that are not part of regular operation and maintenance costs. Information

 

HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program
Deadline: June 15
HHS provides grants to promote rural tele-emergency services with an emphasis on tele-stroke, tele-behavioral health, and Tele-Emergency Medical Services. Information

 

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Deadline: June 23

This program seeks to establish a network that connects farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture professionals with stress assistance programs to improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers and their families. Information

 

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans

Deadline: June 26

This program provides grants to non-profits to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm and ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector. The program encourages the development of training opportunities specifically designed for military veterans. Information

* FY 2020 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams Grant Program

Deadline: June 26

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) competitive grant program Information Questions regarding program can be sent to FEMA-NDSP-HHPDGrants@fema.dhs.gov. For more information about the National Dam Safety Program, visit here.


Civic Innovation Challenge
Deadline: July 1
The Civic Innovation Challenge comprises two tracks: Communities & Mobility (offering Better Mobility Options to Solve the Spatial Mismatch Between Housing Affordability and Jobs) and Resilience to Natural Disasters (Equipping Communities for Greater Preparedness and Resilience to Natural Disasters). The Challenge is organized in two stages. In the first stage, teams will compete for planning grants of up to $50,000 per team over a period of four months. Awards will be offered to approximately 12 teams per track and are expected to be made in Fall 2020. Planning grant applications are due on July 1, 2020. Information

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
Deadline: July 13
USDA Rural Development offers support to help rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Information

 

NEA: Our Town - FY2021

Deadline: August 6

Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts’ creative place-making grants program. Successful Our Town projects ultimately lay the groundwork for systemic changes that sustain the integration of arts, culture, and design into local strategies for strengthening communities. Information

 

USDA/AMS: Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Deadline: August 28
Total Program Funding: $16 billion Application Producers of all eligible commodities will apply through their local FSA office: Information

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements

Deadline: September 30

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will provide funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Information

 

Access to Historical Records: Archival Projects

Deadline: October 8

The NHPRC seeks projects that will significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections. The Commission encourages projects centered on collections of America’s early legal records, such as the records of colonial, territorial, county, and early statehood and tribal proceedings that document the evolution of the nation’s legal history. Information

 

FCC High Speed Broadband/Rural Opportunity Fund
Deadline: October 22
The Federal Communications Commission designed the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to bring high- speed fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack access. Information

 

COVID-19 Information

 

CDC Guidance for Employers

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, the CDC issued new guidance detailing how employers can safely reopen offices following months of closure amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC guidance provides a step-by-step checklist for employers to follow to ensure that their office spaces are physically prepared for workers to return to work as they proceed with life beyond the pandemic. Information

 

Updates from Treasury and SBA:

 

FEMA Highlights Community Efforts

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, nonprofit and voluntary organizations are working together with the federal, state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector to address needs of those communities most affected. FEMA is highlighting stories from our partners on innovative solutions during the pandemic:

  • Disruption in the food supply chain is challenging farmers, restaurants and food banks. Through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partnered with multiple contracted suppliers and distributors to purchase and distribute $3 billion in produce, dairy and meat products for schools, food banks and households.
  • Table to Table, an Iowa-based food rescue organization, is collecting excess food from farms, grocery stores, food distributors, and producers in Johnson County and distributing it to hunger relief organizations. Table to Table ran 30 food rescue routes per week and responded to 40 additional calls which increased food resources by 30% since March. This resulted in helping feed more than 5,000 households per week.
  • Feed the Children has sent more than 480 shipments, totaling over 6.6 million pounds of food, and distributed essential items to its community partners across the U.S. Together with the private sector and local governments, Feed the Children has provided food and essential supplies to approximately 2,300 families in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Ohio, and Florida.

 

 Visit the FEMA Best Practices page to read more stories about communities making a difference.

 

CDC, State, & Territorial Health Department Websites

Each Health Dept. site leads to COVID-19 info and testing options found here.

 

CVS Minute Clinic offering no-cost drive-through COVID-19 Testing (supervised self-test)

Qualification sign up form found here. Currently available in: Arizona, California, Connecticut, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.

 

Walgreens offering no-cost drive-through COVID-19 Testing (supervised self-test)

Qualification sign up form found here. Currently available in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.

 

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension CARES Act Courses

Learn more about the distribution of CARES Act funding to state and local governments, small businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions and more. Register

 

Racial Equity & Social Justice

This list includes information that will help communities and activists as they work to understand and respond to the movement. Information

 

Mortgage Relief Options, Protection for Renters, and Avoiding Scams
The USG has published COVID-19 related resources for homeowners and renters. The collaborative webpage provides information on mortgage relief options, protection for renters, & avoiding scams. Information

Johns Hopkins Operational Toolkit for Businesses Considering Reopening or Expanding Operations in COVID-19: Risk Assessment, Modification Assessment, and Mitigation Measures. Worksheet and Instruction Manual.

Pandemic Resilience: Getting It Done is a supplement to the Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience and offers concrete, localized recommendations for testing, tracing and supported isolation (TTSI), based on differing levels of disease prevalence, so that communities across the US can re-open and stay open.


COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits

·        * Council on Foundations Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide: Information

·        * AmeriCorps Funding for national and local organizations: Information

·        * Navigating the CARES Act for Nonprofits: Information 

·        * Cultural Heritage Resource: The Heritage Emergency National Task Force (HENTF) COVID-19 Resource Hub with multiple resources to help cultural heritage and creative communities. 

·        * FEMA: Certain Private Nonprofit Organizations (PNPs) are eligible to apply for funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Information

·        * TechSoup: Resources for Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19: Information

·        * Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders: COVID-19 philanthropic response and recovery funders available here.


USG COVID-19 Resources

Get the latest updates and stay informed on the coronavirus with direct information from the Federal government USA.gov/Coronavirus

  • Census Bureau: Information; COVID-19 Data Hub: Information
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Information
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force: Information
  • Department of Commerce – NOAA Fisheries: Information
  • Department of Commerce - Small Business Administration (SBA):  

·        Federal Communications Commission: Home Network Tips

                                      

Fraud and Rumor Control

  • Pandemic Response Accountability Committee: Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Hotline
  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Offers Consumer Tips: Information
  • FEMA Rumor Control page – answers to coronavirus myths and rumors
  • Federal Trade Commission anti-fraud website: Information

 

Other Information

 

Racial Equity & Social Justice list includes information that will help communities and activists as they work to understand and respond to the movement. Information

 

FEMA Releases Planning Considerations: Disaster Housing

FEMA released “Planning Considerations: Disaster Housing”. Housing recovery is the cornerstone of a community’s recovery and ultimate resilience. By helping survivors achieve sustainable housing after a disaster, state and local leaders move their communities toward stability and resiliency for future incidents. Information.

 

The I3 Connectivity Explorer: (Internet as Infrastructure)

The I3 Connectivity Explorer views broadband connectivity data broadly through the lens of the places we live; towns, counties and county subdivisions, tribal regions, school and congressional districts.  The tool stems from a desire to provide everyone with the data they need understand and improve their own broadband connectivity. The I3 Connectivity Explorer is an open source tool that brings in various broadband data points and allows users to look at different components. It combines data from FCC, Census, EPA, USDA, The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — and other public sources such as the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) and the ProPublica Congress. Information here and here.

 

FEMA Releases Hurricane and other Severe Weather Forecast Layers for Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool

June 9
The Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) now includes several real-time weather-forecast layers, including five-day Tropical Cyclone/Hurricane Outlook, eight-day Severe Weather Convective Outlook, three-day Excessive Rainfall Outlook, and a Significant River Flooding Outlook. RAPT users can identify the at-risk populations and infrastructure based on these outlooks to inform emergency planning and public messaging. How-To videos are also now available at www.fema.gov/rapt.

New Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide (PAPPG)
The fourth version of the Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide will go into effect on June 1, 2020. The latest version will be applicable to incidents declared on or after June 1, 2020. Information

Preparedness: FEMA has updated tools so that preparedness plans include measures that will help protect you and your family against the spread of coronavirus. Use these tools to help you plan and prepare for hurricanes: Ready.gov/hurricanes

Credit reports are now free
Everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports: AnnualCreditReport.com.

 

Recorded Webinars and Self-Paced Trainings:

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
    • Independent Study Classes: here
    • * FEMA Podcasts (here) and PrepTalks (here)
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): here
  • International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM): here
  • International Economic Development Council (IEDC): here
  • Natural Hazards Center: here