DHS revises state, local first responder grant programs
New guidelines emphasize risk, need
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced the availability of funds for FY06 Homeland Security Grant Programs and released new funding guidelines that place a greater emphasis on risk and need in awarding funds. This change will greatly affect all state and county governments.
Collectively, the FY06 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) application integrates the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grant Program (LETPP), the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) and the Citizen Corps Grant Program (CCP) into a unified application process.
In past years, Congress has approved record increases in funding for state and local homeland security programs, but in 2006 these programs will see a significant decline. DHS will distribute $2.9 billion in funding for these programs that continue to assist state and county governments in their efforts to prepare, prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist threats. Again, this level of funding is a significant reduction from previous years, especially for DHS’ SHSGP and UASI Grant programs.
In 2005, Congress approved $1.1 billion for SHSGP and $860 for UASI. In 2006, these programs have been funded at $550 million and $765 million, respectively.
Another significant change to the grant programs will be DHS’ emphasis on risk and need in allocating grants to state and local first responders. Each state will continue to receive a base allocation of 0.75 percent (about $7.1 million) for SHSGP and LETPP, but remaining funds will be distributed on a competitive basis to states and local governments based on risk and need, not population. However, states would still be required to suballocate 80 percent of these funds to units of local governments within 60 days of receipt.
This emphasis on risk and need will also be the sole method for allocating DHS’ UASI awards to high-threat urban regions.
According to DHS’ Preparedness Directorate Office of Grants and Training (formerly the Office for State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness) "risk will be determined at the federal level" and will focus on "asset-based risk" and "geographically based risk." These risk calculations will produce a total terrorism risk score.
DHS will evaluate need through a competitive review process. States will identify needs through program and capability reviews, and develop comprehensive initiatives to address identified priorities that reduce overall risk. Collectively, DHS will use the risk and need evaluations to prioritize homeland security grants to state and local units of governments.
NACo encourages county governments to immediately contact their respective state homeland security contact office at www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0291.xml for a detailed description of how to apply for these funds.
States must submit applications by March 2 and DHS will review and approve all applications no later than May 31. County officials can review the application for these awards at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/fy2006hsgp.pdf.
|
