Yesterday, FEMA rolled out one of two upcoming program funding opportunities. The first is relative to responding to the humanitarian border crisis along southern border states. The second, to follow, will support the continuing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following information pertains to the first phase: ARPA, Humanitarian Relief. This opportunity may have a narrower application for our community, but please take the time to review for relevance.
Key guidance and instructions are located on the EFSP website under the Supplemental Funding Info Tab. As additional documents are completed, they will be added to the website. The following is a brief summary of key program elements – also, as described below, there are 2 Zoom meetings scheduled this week by the EFSP to provide guidance and instruction on applying:
The ARPA Humanitarian Relief Application consists of five categories of service. All expenditures made by agencies must fall within one of the following categories:
• Primary - includes only food and shelter;
• Secondary – includes, but is not limited to, health/medical services;
• Administrative - includes, but is not limited to, temporary staff, permanent and voluntary staff overtime, and postage;
• Equipment and Assets – includes purchases and leases, and necessary renovations to make facilities safe, sanitary, and compliant with local codes (e.g., showers); and
• Transportation – includes local and long-distance travel (e.g. taxi, bus, air, train) for families and individuals encountered by DHS and for agency staff that may be required to assist them.
Documentation of expenditures must be supported with proof of payment (e.g., cancelled check, credit card statement, etc.) or a receipt reflecting the purchase. Only one of these is required.
Note: Primary Services will be considered for reimbursement first. Should funds remain, Secondary Services, Administrative Services, Equipment and Assets Services, and Transportation Services will be considered. Agencies will be able to apply for funding in each category. Service organizations must request bids from a minimum of 3 vendors for all contracts valued at $10,000 or more. The lowest bid received should be accepted to provide services.
Applicant agencies must be nonprofit, faith-based, or governmental and provide eligible services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Any agency that did not provide services in response to families and individuals encountered by DHS will not be considered to receive funds.
Key Program Dates: To allow more opportunities for agencies to submit applications for funding, there will be multiple open application periods (see Key Program Dates on page 5 of the guidance). The first open application period will begin April 19, 2021 and will be for eligible expenditures incurred on or after January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021.
Technical Assistance: Pre-recorded trainings and Help Desk assistance are available to guide Local Boards, SSA Committees acting as Local Boards, and applicant agencies through the process. The pre-recorded trainings are available on the EFSP website, www.efsp.unitedway.org. Select Supplemental Funding on the homepage for access to the trainings list. Questions related to this funding opportunity may also be directed to EFSP staff at suppfund@uww.unitedway.org or 703-706-9660, option 6.
