Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 8 | DHS 21 MT 023 08 01

FAQs: FY 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 8

What is the FY 2021 CAP-SSSE - Region 8 grant opportunity?

It is a FEMA grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2021. The program is the Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) for FEMA Region 8, and it is designed to strengthen floodplain management and improve local participation and performance in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The core purpose is to fund state-level technical assistance to communities that participate in the NFIP, and to support state efforts to evaluate how well communities are carrying out NFIP floodplain management requirements. The practical goal is to reduce flood losses by helping ensure local regulations and administrative practices meet NFIP standards and are implemented effectively.

How does this program reduce flood losses in practical terms?

CAP-SSSE focuses on helping states support communities with the rules, processes, and day-to-day floodplain management administration tied to NFIP requirements. By improving the quality and consistency of local floodplain regulations and how they are applied, communities are more likely to remain aligned with NFIP standards, which supports long-term flood loss reduction and reduces insurance-related losses.

Is CAP-SSSE meant to fund construction or physical mitigation projects?

No. Based on the description provided, the program is less about funding construction projects and more about building ongoing administrative, technical, and evaluation capacity that helps communities stay aligned with NFIP standards.

Who is this opportunity intended to support?

The opportunity supports states in strengthening floodplain management programs and in improving community participation and performance in the NFIP. It specifically funds state-level work that helps NFIP-participating communities with compliance, implementation, and performance under NFIP floodplain management requirements.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments and special district governments.

What is the role of the State Coordinating Agency in this program?

A key feature of CAP-SSSE is reinforcing the formal role of the State Coordinating Agency (often the state floodplain management office or equivalent). The program emphasizes the state's designation, duties, and responsibilities for coordinating NFIP activities as described in 44 CFR 60.25.

What does 44 CFR 60.25 have to do with CAP-SSSE?

The program ties closely to 44 CFR 60.25 because that regulation describes the designation, duties, and responsibilities expected of the state in coordinating NFIP activities. CAP-SSSE funding supports states in carrying out those support and oversight functions that help communities remain compliant with NFIP requirements.

What kinds of activities does CAP-SSSE fund?

Based on the description, the program funds state-level technical assistance to NFIP-participating communities and state efforts to evaluate community implementation of NFIP floodplain management requirements. It also supports building and maintaining in-house expertise, expanding community-level knowledge, and establishing consistent technical support for interpreting NFIP requirements and improving local floodplain management programs.

How does FEMA engage with recipients under this opportunity?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically means FEMA expects an active partnership role in how the work is carried out, monitored, and reported, rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal involvement.

Is this a discretionary or formula funding opportunity?

It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 97.023, which corresponds to FEMA assistance related to flood hazard mitigation and NFIP-linked support activities.

Which FEMA region does this opportunity cover?

This opportunity is specifically for FEMA Region 8.

How many awards were expected for Region 8?

The posting indicates an expected number of 6 awards for Region 8.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on May 14, 2021. The original closing date listed was June 28, 2021.

What is the award ceiling for this grant?

The listed award ceiling is shown as 0. This generally indicates the ceiling was not specified in the summary field or may vary based on allocations, negotiated workplans, or other FEMA guidance rather than a single fixed cap stated upfront.

What broad funding activity categories are associated with CAP-SSSE?

The funding activity categories are described as broad and include community development, disaster prevention and relief, environmental and natural resource work, education and training, and research and development-related categories. This reflects how floodplain management intersects with planning, mitigation, public safety, environmental stewardship, and local governance.

How does CAP-SSSE help communities with NFIP compliance?

CAP-SSSE supports state efforts to provide consistent technical assistance and oversight functions, helping communities interpret NFIP requirements and strengthen local floodplain management programs. The intent is to improve implementation of local floodplain management measures and the administrative practices that support NFIP standards.

What does the program emphasize about state capability and accountability?

The opportunity emphasizes demonstrating that the state is committed to NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria and has the capability and accountability to carry out support and oversight functions that help communities stay compliant.

What is the overall goal of CAP-SSSE for Region 8?

The overall goal is to ensure NFIP flood loss reduction goals are achieved on the ground by helping states provide consistent assistance to communities, strengthening implementation of local floodplain management measures, and leveraging state experience working with local jurisdictions to reduce long-term flood damages and insurance losses.