Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 9 | DHS 19 MT 023 09 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - FY 2019 CAP-SSSE (FEMA Region 9)

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

CAP-SSSE is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through FEMA. For FY 2019 in FEMA Region 9, it is provided as a cooperative agreement to support state-level work that strengthens how states assist communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Who is the federal awarding agency for this opportunity?

The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administered through FEMA.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally means FEMA expects active involvement beyond issuing funds. This can include coordination on priorities, oversight expectations, and performance reporting as part of carrying out the work.

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The central purpose is to strengthen state support to local communities that participate in the NFIP, with a strong emphasis on reducing flood losses by improving day-to-day floodplain management practices and compliance.

How does CAP-SSSE reduce flood losses in practical terms?

The program supports stronger floodplain management and compliance, which FEMA associates with fewer avoidable losses through better planning, smarter construction and development decisions in flood-prone areas, and stronger implementation of floodplain regulations.

What types of activities does CAP-SSSE fund at the state level?

CAP-SSSE funds state-level work that helps NFIP communities do their floodplain management responsibilities more consistently. Examples described include technical assistance on NFIP requirements and sound floodplain management activities, and evaluating community performance against NFIP standards.

What kinds of technical assistance may states provide to local communities under CAP-SSSE?

Based on the description provided, technical assistance can include helping communities interpret and apply floodplain management rules, improving permitting and inspection practices, assisting with ordinance adoption or updates, supporting elevation and floodproofing documentation, and troubleshooting compliance concerns before they become major problems.

Does CAP-SSSE include oversight or evaluation of local community performance?

Yes. A stated component of the program is evaluating how well communities are carrying out their NFIP-related responsibilities. The evaluation focus is on whether local programs are implemented in line with NFIP standards and whether floodplain management actions are occurring on the ground.

How is this opportunity connected to 44 CFR 60.25?

The opportunity is tied directly to the formal role of the State Coordinating Agency described in 44 CFR 60.25, which addresses the designation, duties, and responsibilities of states in supporting NFIP floodplain management.

What role do states play in the NFIP that this grant is intended to support?

The grant is described as a tool to help states demonstrate commitment and capability under 44 CFR 60.25, including maintaining minimum floodplain management criteria, showing administrative responsibility for supporting participating communities, and sustaining the expertise needed to operate as an effective partner to FEMA and local jurisdictions.

Is CAP-SSSE meant to build long-term capacity?

Yes. CAP-SSSE is described as designed to build and maintain state capacity over time, rather than relying solely on federal staff to provide direct support to every community.

Why does FEMA emphasize state involvement rather than only federal support?

The opportunity notes that states are often better positioned to provide tailored assistance, understand local governance constraints, and maintain ongoing relationships with local floodplain administrators, and that CAP-SSSE aims to leverage that state knowledge and experience working with communities.

Which FEMA region does this specific posting apply to?

This posting applies to FEMA Region 9.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is DHS 19 MT 023 09 01.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number associated with the program is 97.023.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?

Eligible applicants are state governments and special district governments, consistent with the program focus on state-level coordination and support functions rather than direct grants to individual municipalities.

Are individual municipalities eligible to apply directly under this opportunity?

The eligibility listed is state governments and special district governments, and the program is described as focused on state-level coordination and support rather than direct grants to individual municipalities.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making under this opportunity?

FEMA anticipated making about four awards.

Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?

The notice lists an award ceiling of 0. This typically signals that a specific maximum award amount was not stated in the summary fields and would need to be confirmed in the full announcement or related guidance.

When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on April 15, 2019, with an original closing date of May 15, 2019.

What is the overall program concept in plain language?

CAP-SSSE is a capacity-building and oversight support program for the NFIP. It funds states to serve as strong technical partners to NFIP communities, monitor and improve local implementation of floodplain management requirements, and help ensure that NFIP participation translates into real reductions in flood risk and flood-related losses.