Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 9 | DHS 18 MT 023 09 02

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY 2018 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) for Region 9?

CAP-SSSE (Region 9, FY 2018) is a FEMA-funded cooperative agreement intended to strengthen how state governments support local floodplain management under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It focuses on giving states the resources to provide hands-on help to NFIP-participating communities and to evaluate how well those communities are meeting required floodplain management responsibilities.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to build and maintain a strong state-level support structure that improves community compliance with NFIP floodplain management standards, reduces flood losses over time, and grows lasting floodplain management expertise at both the state and local level.

Which federal agency funds and administers this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What type of funding instrument is CAP-SSSE?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally means FEMA is expected to have substantial programmatic involvement compared to a standard grant.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were limited to state governments.

Is this opportunity open to local governments, tribes, nonprofits, or private organizations?

Based on the posting details provided, eligibility was limited to state governments only. Local communities are supported through state-led technical assistance and evaluation activities, but they are not listed as eligible applicants for this opportunity.

What is the relationship between CAP-SSSE and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

CAP-SSSE is designed specifically to strengthen implementation of NFIP floodplain management requirements at the community level by supporting states in their role of assisting and evaluating NFIP-participating communities.

What is a State Coordinating Agency and why does it matter for CAP-SSSE?

The State Coordinating Agency is defined in federal regulation at 44 CFR 60.25. It is the state agency designated to coordinate NFIP-related floodplain management activities and to serve as FEMA's primary state partner for supporting communities. CAP-SSSE supports this state-level role by funding capacity for hands-on assistance and community performance evaluation.

What does 44 CFR 60.25 cover in relation to this program?

44 CFR 60.25 outlines the designation and expectations for a State Coordinating Agency. It sets expectations that the state demonstrates commitment to NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria and shows it has the capability to implement and oversee key NFIP-related functions that support communities.

What kinds of activities can CAP-SSSE funds support?

Activities generally fall into two connected tasks: (1) technical assistance to communities and (2) community evaluation of how well NFIP floodplain management responsibilities are being carried out.

What is meant by "technical assistance" under CAP-SSSE?

Technical assistance can include helping communities with floodplain ordinance administration, interpreting flood maps and flood risk data, improving permitting and enforcement practices, and strengthening local policies to reduce exposure to flooding.

What is meant by "community evaluation" under CAP-SSSE?

Community evaluation focuses on assessing community performance in implementing NFIP floodplain management activities. The goal is to determine whether local practices align with NFIP standards and support NFIP flood loss reduction goals.

How do technical assistance and community evaluation work together?

They are designed to be complementary. Evaluations identify strengths, gaps, or compliance issues in community floodplain management, while technical assistance helps communities address those issues and improve implementation of NFIP requirements.

What outcomes is FEMA aiming for through CAP-SSSE?

The program aims to improve NFIP compliance, reduce flood losses over time, improve consistency in floodplain management across communities, and build practical floodplain management expertise within state and local governments.

How does the state function as FEMA's partner in this program?

The state acts as FEMA's on-the-ground partner by helping communities understand and apply NFIP requirements, supporting better local decisions about development in flood-prone areas, and identifying issues early before they become larger compliance or risk problems.

Is CAP-SSSE a competitive or discretionary opportunity?

This was described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 30, 2018, and the original closing date was July 30, 2018.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making in Region 9?

FEMA anticipated making about four awards in Region 9.

What does "Region 9" refer to in this opportunity?

The opportunity is specified as being for Region 9, meaning the awards and program implementation were targeted to FEMA Region 9 as described in the posting.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA number 97.023.

What does it mean that the award ceiling is shown as 0?

The published award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates that the maximum funding amount was not specified in that particular field of the posting. It does not necessarily mean that no funding would be provided.

What kinds of community-level issues might CAP-SSSE help identify early?

Based on the program description, the state-supported evaluation and technical assistance approach is intended to spot gaps or problems in how communities administer floodplain ordinances, use flood maps and risk data, and carry out permitting and enforcement related to NFIP floodplain management responsibilities.

How does CAP-SSSE help reduce flood risk over time?

By improving community compliance with NFIP standards and strengthening day-to-day floodplain management practices (such as ordinance administration, map interpretation, and permitting/enforcement), the program is intended to reduce future flood losses and increase consistent risk-informed decision-making across communities.

What is the overall way to think about CAP-SSSE in simple terms?

It is a capacity-building and oversight partnership between FEMA and state governments so states can better support and evaluate local communities implementing NFIP floodplain management requirements.