2021 Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit, August 3 – 5, 2021 “Ten Years of Small Steps and Giant Leaps”

Please join us for the fifth annual Southeast Private-Public Partners Summit, August 3rd – 5th. This year’s event will be hosted via Zoom by FEMA Region 4 and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. This year marks the tenth anniversary of FEMA’s first-ever Private Sector mission, following the 2011 tornado super outbreak that swept across the Southeast. Each day will include sessions addressing issues important to our private-public partnerships, such as how to prepare for and respond to short-notice disasters, supply chain challenges, cyber security, and building resilient communities. For agenda and to register, click here. 

DHS OIG Report: FY 2018 Audit of Science and Technology Bankcard Program Indicates Risks July 2021

 

News from the Department of Homeland Security OIG Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.   The Latest DHS OIG report is available on our website.   Office of Public Affairs E: dhs-oig.officepublicaffairs@oig.dhs.gov                         OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL l DHS WWW.OIG.DHS.GOV  l TWITTER: @DHSOIG                 FY 2018 Audit of Science and Technology Bankcard Program Indicates Risks Although the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) had internal controls in place to ensure it managed and maintained its Bankcard Program as required, S&T did not always adhere to Department of Homeland Security and internal purchase card policies and procedures. Of 421 purchase card transactions selected for review, we identified 394 transactions that did not have required supporting documentation, separation of key transaction duties, approvals and other required signatures, or did not comply with other risk-based procedures. According to S&T officials, these issues occurred due to shortfalls in program oversight and training, as well as outdated policy. As a result, we identified $63,213 in questionable costs associated with purchase card transactions for which S&T personnel could not provide supporting documentation. Without S&T adherence to established policies and procedures, there is an increased risk of loss and vulnerability to fraud. In addition, S&T has less assurance its internal controls are effective in mitigating the risk of fraud and inappropriate charge card practices. Read Report No. OIG-21-51

OIG Report: nadequate FEMA Oversight Delayed Completion and Closeout of Louisiana's Public Assistance Projects. July 2021

 

The Latest DHS OIG report is available on our website.   Office of Public Affairs E: dhs-oig.officepublicaffairs@oig.dhs.gov                         OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL l DHS WWW.OIG.DHS.GOV  l TWITTER: @DHSOIG                   Inadequate FEMA Oversight Delayed Completion and Closeout of Louisiana's Public Assistance Projects FEMA did not ensure Louisiana adequately managed and provided oversight of PA grants to make certain the State complied with Federal regulations. Specifically, Louisiana had a backlog of 600 incomplete projects beyond their approved completion dates. We attribute this to the State not conducting regular site visits to assess subrecipients’ ongoing projects and identify and resolve issues as they arose that would have helped ensure prompt project completion. In addition, FEMA had a backlog of 2,150 completed grant projects it had not closed out due to inadequate oversight of its Region 6 staff to ensure they promptly carried out this responsibility. As of the fourth quarter of 2018, the combined backlog of 2,750 grant projects represented nearly $6.6 billion in obligated funds. By May 2020, FEMA had reduced the backlog, but the significant number of remaining projects potentially could lead to delays in reimbursing applicants, as well as deobligating funds that could be put to better use. Multiple hurricanes in 2020, along with the pandemic, make it especially critical for FEMA to reduce the backlog, thereby ensuring timely assistance to disaster survivors and prudent use of taxpayer dollars. Read Report No. OIG-21-50

2022-2023 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER Deadline: October 1, 2021

 

2022-2023 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER  The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is announcing the opening of its 2022-2023 Fellowship competition. The Center awards approximately 15-20 academic year residential fellowships to academics, journalists, former public officials, and independent experts from any country with outstanding project proposals on global issues. The Center welcomes policy-relevant proposals which complement the Center’s programming priorities. Within this framework, the Wilson Center supports projects that intersect with contemporary policy issues and provide the historical and/or cultural context for some of today’s significant public policy debates. Applicants must hold a doctorate or have equivalent professional experience. Fellows are provided stipends of $10,000 per month, private windowed offices, Library of Congress access, and part-time research assistants. The Center encourages applicants to apply online. Additional information and the application are available at www.wilsoncenter.org/fellowships. Please visit www.wilsoncenter.org/wcprograms for more information on the Center’s programs. You may also contact the Scholars and Academic Relations Office at fellowships@wilsoncenter.org or call (202) 691-4170 for more information. Application deadline: October 1, 2021

Food Insecurity. Building Effective Food Systems for Cities. July 2021

Cities on the Frontline: Building Effective Food Systems for Cities According to a 2019 Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, over half of the world’s population, 60% worldwide, say they are worried about the food they eat. During our most recent Cities on the Frontline Speaker Series event Dr. Gayatri Acharya, World Bank and Dr. Steven Jaffee, University of Maryland, outlined from their new book, "Rich Food, Smart City” that urban food system performance matters - and what is more, there is a business case for action. Cities must do more to address food systems in order to fully realize related city aspirations, as well as because the performance of urban food systems is often tied to the delivery of food on a national scale. However, food is often a missing ingredient in the many dialogues on sustainable or smart cities – we must work to better address this shortcoming. Watch the full session here.