FEMA Releases Fourth Version of the Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide. May 2020

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The fourth version of the Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide will go into effect on June 1, 2020. The latest version supersedes version 3.1 and will be applicable to incidents declared on or after June 1, 2020.   

The Public Assistance Policy and Program Guide is a comprehensive program resource that combines FEMA Public Assistance policy into a single volume and provides an overview of the program implementation process with links to other publications and documents that provide additional process details.

The Fourth Edition was released in draft form with a 45-day public comment period. The FEMA Public Assistance program received and adjudicated more than 580 public comments while drafting the final version.

Updates to the guide includes, but are not limited to:

• Incorporation of the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures for Permanent Work Pilot Policy (FEMA Policy 104-009-7);
• Incorporation of the Public Assistance National Delivery Model process and procedures;
• Updates to administrative processes and eligibility of applicants, emergency work, permanent work, and cost; and,
• Incorporation and subsequent supersession of various policies, job aids, and fact sheets.

FEMA makes updates to the guide on an annual basis when necessary and conducts a comprehensive review no less than every three years.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this FEMA Advisory, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division:

·       Congressional Affairs at (202) 646-4500 or at FEMA-Congressional-Affairs@fema.dhs.gov

·       Intergovernmental Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov

·       Tribal Affairs at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-Tribal@fema.dhs.gov

Private Sector Engagement at (202) 646-3444 or at nbeoc@max.gov

FEMA Releases COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Hurricane Season. May 2020

FEMA released "COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season" to help emergency managers and public health officials best prepare for disasters, while continuing to respond to and recover from COVID-19.
 
The guide provides actions emergency managers and public officials can take to prepare for response and recovery operations during ongoing COVID-19 response efforts. Specifically, the guidance:

• Describes anticipated challenges to disaster operations posed by COVID-19.
• Highlights planning considerations for emergency managers based on current challenges.
• Outlines how FEMA plans to adapt response and recovery operations.
• Creates a shared understanding of expectations between FEMA and emergency managers.
• Includes guidance, checklists and resources to support emergency managers' response and recovery planning.

Private sector and non-governmental organizations can use the guidance to gain an understanding of the government’s posture, planning and readiness efforts.
 
To expand awareness and understanding of the guidance, FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate is conducting four webinars. The webinars will allow emergency managers an opportunity to discuss how the guidance can assist jurisdictions review and modify their plans given the constraints and limitations of the ongoing pandemic. To register, please click on the link for the preferred webinar from the list below:

• Webinar 1: FEMA Adobe Connect
  2 - 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 2.
   
• Webinar 2: FEMA Adobe Connect
  10 - 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 4.
   
• Webinar 3: FEMA Adobe Connect
  1 - 2 p.m. ET on Monday, June 8.
   
• Webinar 4: FEMA Adobe Connect
  3 - 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 10.

 Download the COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season on the FEMA website

Can Economic and Financial Innovation Make a Difference in a Pandemic? May 2020

Can Economic and Financial Innovation Make a Difference in a Pandemic?

Thursday, May 28, 9:30 am-11:00 am ET Watch online at https://www.cgdev.org/event/can-economic-and-financial-innovation-make-difference-pandemic FEATURING Josh Bicknell, Co-founder and CEO, Balloon Ventures James Habyarimana, Provost Distinguished Associate Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University; Global Innovation Fund Board Member; and Non-Resident Fellow, Center for Global Development Farouk Meralli, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, mClinica Pharmacy Solutions  Alix Peterson Zwane, Chief Executive Officer, Global Innovation Fund and Non-Resident Fellow, Center for Global Development MODERATOR Nancy Lee, Senior Policy Fellow, Center for Global Development  ABOUT THE EVENT Many are focused on the response of governments to the pandemic and its economic impact, and the scale of support needed from the IMF and development banks, both multilateral and bilateral. But the private sector must lead as well, not just in the recovery phase but also in crisis response. Its capacity for rapid adaptation and innovation, understanding of consumer behavior, flexibility, and productive capacity are essential for responding to multiple and ongoing shocks and uncertainties. How can the public and private sectors collaborate most effectively in restarting financial flows, delivering essential health and other services to the vulnerable, and restoring livelihoods? If you have questions for our panelists, please submit them to events@cgdev.org, tweet @CGDev #CGDTalks, or submit your comments via YouTube. Register This event will be streamed live. Register above to receive a reminder about the webcast before the event. The video will stream and remain available at https://www.cgdev.org/event/can-economic-and-financial-innovation-make-difference-pandemic. Close-captioned-enabled video will be posted following the conclusion of the event. Share this event #CGDTalks

Volunteer Service in Vulnerable Community such as AMERICORPS. Missed Opportunities. incentives. A

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/05/21/americorps-contact-tracing/

Expanding AmeriCorps could turn new grads into an army of contact tracers. It just needs funding.

By 

Danielle Douglas-Gabriel

May 21, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. EDT

As the public health crisis shatters the economy, employment prospects for the Class of 2020 are grim. Newly minted college graduates have had internships and job offers rescinded or delayed. They are entering a workforce rife with competition for scarce opportunities.

Against that backdrop, lawmakers say a decades-old federal initiative could offer work as beneficial to graduates as it is to their communities. AmeriCorps funds tens of thousands of young people to help vulnerable populations across the country. In exchange for their service, volunteers can build their résumés and receive up to $6,195 toward student loans or a degree.

The Clinton-era national service program is getting new attention as the country tries to contain and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to deploy an army of volunteers for contact tracing, which would require some 300,000 people to map exposure to the virus. They say an expanded fleet of young AmeriCorps members also could deliver food and supplies to people who are homebound or tutor elementary students to stem learning loss.

Emphasis should be on States and Local Communities. FEMA provides the funding. May 28, 2020

TRUST.  Lost.  Shall it now be at the policy-maker level.

Policy makers are still missing the boat, and on a business as usual approach.

The emphasis should be on local community plans to address multiple crisis and disasters, not FEMA.

FEMA can respond with national resources to address major significant crisis and disasters at the State level, but what have the States, Counties, Cities, and Local level accomplished the meet the demands of increase in disasters, public health issues (COVID-19), and the future impacts of climate change.

Questions should be focused getting resources before and after a disaster occurs to communities in States, Counties, more on those vulnerable communities.

1. What State, County, City, and Local emergency management offices\agencies are managed and controlled by the Law Enforcement entities?
2. Are DHS\FEMA pre- and post disaster fundings control by Law Enforcement or thru these entities?
3. Are more funds placed on law enforcement equipment, education, training, and resources than local 'grass level' community organizations to address single and multiple disasters?
4. What are the percentages of  DHS\FEMA funding for each State and County within these jurisdictions of FEMA and other funding for pre- and post disasters?
5. Why can't DHS\FEMA grant and other funding for Law Enforcement be shifted to Department of Justice grant and funding programs for better oversight?

All disasters are local, and all resources should be allocated to the lowest levels in communities to address these issues.

CDS

Chairman\CEO

Cornell University Climate Fellow

BEMA International

Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chairman Thompson and Committee Democrats Write FEMA on its Ability to Respond to Multiple Disasters During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins June 1

May 28, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Democratic Members of the Committee, sent a letter to Peter Gaynor, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), raising concerns about the agency’s ability to respond to multiple disasters simultaneously during the COVID-19 pandemic and asking for a briefing on their preparation efforts.  The Atlantic Hurricane Season does not begin until June 1 and there have already been two named storms this month, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting an above normal season.   “Given these projections, we are concerned about FEMA’s capacity to manage natural disaster preparedness and response efforts during the ongoing pandemic,” the Committee Members write. “Going forward, FEMA needs to take a proactive role in procuring the staffing and resources necessary to respond, keeping in mind that conventional disaster response strategies, such as communal shelters and volunteer recovery and supply distribution efforts, could pose increased health and safety risks during the pandemic.” Link to letter #  #  #

How the COVID-19 pandemic is developing in Latin America. May 28, 2020

Conversations on COVID-19 and Development: Luis Alberto Moreno

Thursday, May 28 Check out the latest episode of our new series, “CGD Conversation on COVID-19 and Development." ABOUT THE EVENT Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) President, Luis Alberto Moreno, joins CGD President Masood Ahmed to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is developing in Latin America. They will discuss IDB's support of safety nets for vulnerable populations, assistance to SMEs, and fiscal policies to ameliorate the economic impacts of the health crisis. Watch Now In this new virtual event series, CGD president Masood Ahmed sits down with development policymakers and thought leaders to discuss COVID-19 impact, response efforts, and challenges ahead. To check out upcoming events, visit cgdev.org/events.   Share this event #CGDTalks

Greater Washington Board of Trade is hosting a 3-part program "COVID-19 Briefing Call Series: Reopening the Region, Safely and Swiftly"

The Greater Washington Board of Trade is hosting a 3-part program "COVID-19 Briefing Call Series: Reopening the Region, Safely and Swiftly" beginning today.  See below for details and registration links for each.

Part 1:  The Public Health Puzzle

Tuesday, May 26, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h8-st3jDToabHEfAiPOLuA

Widespread testing, contact tracing, an effective treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, abundant personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers, and eventually a vaccine are all critical for controlling outbreaks and saving lives. A two-week downward trajectory in cases is the widely accepted criteria for beginning to relax social distancing orders. In this discussion, health leaders from across the region will explain how these puzzle pieces fit together and the research, development, and production efforts behind securing each piece, with status updates from Maryland, Virginia, and the District.

Speakers:

• Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, Senior Director of Infection Prevention, The Johns Hopkins Health System
• Georges C. Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
• Laurie Forlano, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health, Virginia Department of Health
• Fran Phillips, R.N., Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Maryland Department of Health
• Dr. John Davies Cole, State Epidemiologist, District of Colombia

Part 2:  Phased Reopening Plans in VA, DC, and MD

Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W9vcHFUoQ9ywG6jiyctijQ

Maryland, Virginia, and the District each have phased plans for reopening the economy. On this call, we will learn how each jurisdiction has approached this challenge and what Phase One might look like in each jurisdiction and across the region. (For useful background, consult Summary of District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia Reopening Guidelines published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on May 21.)

Speakers:

• Moderator: Roy McGrath, IOM, CAE, CEO and Chairman of Maryland Environmental Service
• Eugene D. Kinlow, Director of the Office for Federal and Regional Affairs, Executive Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia
• Kelly M. Schulz, Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce
• Angela Navarro, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia

Part 3:  Getting Back to Business

Thursday, May 28, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aBp2JgoRRlmrafZ3ayz-Zw

When businesses can reopen, most will face new expectations for how they protect workers and customers. Building on the insights gained in the first two parts of this series, we will explore those expectations and the financial and operational challenges they create. This discussion will cover company needs, efforts to meet those needs, and forecasts for the future. The goal is to help professionals in all industries better prepare for the road ahead.

Speakers:

• Moderator: Evan Kraus, Managing Director in Washington, APCO Worldwide
• Larry Di Rita, Greater Washington, D.C. Market President, Bank of America

Cy Kouhestani, Sr. VP of Leasing & Asset Management, Brookfield Properties