Simplify during disaster recovery: FEMA Program to Support Rapid Recovery for Applicants January 2023

 

FEMA Releases Policy to Simplify Public Assistance Program to Support Rapid Recovery for Applicants

 

On Jan. 9, FEMA released a policy that will simplify the Public Assistance (PA) program to help communities recover more quickly after Presidentially declared events.

 

As the name implies, the PA Simplified Procedures Policy simplifies procedures and streamlines documentation requirements for applicants under the Public Assistance program. This policy release follows the August 2022 announcement to increase the threshold for PA small projects to $1 million.

 

“This policy change is a reflection of FEMA and President Biden’s commitment to reduce red tape, cut back on bureaucracy and ensure that communities get the resources they deserve when they need them most,” Administrator Criswell said in August 2022 when the final rule was announced. “FEMA’s Public Assistance remains our flagship program for helping communities rebuild infrastructure, restore critical services to the public and build climate resilience. By simplifying the application process, we will break down barriers and better meet the funding needs of small communities and our nonprofit partners.”

 

The policy simplifies procedures, reduces the administrative burdens, supports equitable delivery of assistance to underserved communities and enables communities to recover more quickly after Presidentially declared events. The policy defines FEMA’s requirements for funding small projects, and it applies to all public assistance projects up to $1 million from major disasters and emergencies declared on or after the date of issuance.

Disasters: Preventing Human Trafficking in Disasters.

 

Webinar on Preventing Human Trafficking in Disasters: What You Need to Know and How to Respond

 

The DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the DHS Office of Partnership and Engagement and FEMA are co-hosting a webinar to provide information and resources on adversely impacted communities after disasters and how to identify the risk factors that may lead to human trafficking.

 

The webinar will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 26. Register here in advance to attend the webinar. Organizations featured to speak include: 

• All-Healers Mental Health Alliance.
• University of Maryland School of Medicine.
• Humanitarian Disaster Institute, Wheaton College. 
• San Jose State University.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security,

 

The webinar will include information on how to better prepare faith and community groups, first responders, and emergency managers to recognize social and emotional impacts caused by disasters. The webinar will discuss the importance and the role of local partners to prevent exploitation and respond to survivors needs. It will also provide federal resources on how to report potential incidences of human trafficking.

 

DHS is hosting additional webinars about human trafficking throughout January:

• Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. ET: Blue Campaign del DHS: Introducción a Reconocer y Denunciar la Trata de Personas (Español).
• Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. ET: Human Trafficking Youth Forum.

 

FEMA recently published a blog on ways to prevent human trafficking. Visit the FEMA Blog to read, "5 Ways We Can Work Together to Prevent Human Trafficking."