Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 6 | DHS 21 MT 023 06 01

FY 2021 CAP-SSSE (Region 6) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the FY 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 6 opportunity?

CAP-SSSE - Region 6 is a FEMA grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intended to strengthen how states support local floodplain management and participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program is designed to reduce future flood losses by improving the consistency and quality of floodplain management across participating jurisdictions and by building lasting state and local expertise before disasters occur.

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The core purpose is to fund state-led work that helps communities understand, adopt, and properly carry out NFIP floodplain management requirements. It also provides resources for states to review and evaluate how well communities are performing those responsibilities.

Who is the federal sponsor for this funding opportunity?

The federal sponsor is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. This typically indicates FEMA expects an ongoing working relationship with awardees rather than a hands-off, pass-through funding arrangement.

What regulatory framework is CAP-SSSE tied to?

The program is grounded in federal floodplain management regulations at 44 CFR 60.25. These regulations describe how State Coordinating Agencies are designated and what responsibilities they are expected to carry out in support of NFIP floodplain management criteria and oversight-related activities.

What kinds of work does CAP-SSSE fund?

CAP-SSSE focuses on two main lanes of work: (1) technical assistance and (2) performance evaluation. Together, these are meant to improve NFIP implementation, strengthen compliance, and reduce flood losses over time.

What is included under the "technical assistance" lane?

Technical assistance refers to state-led support for NFIP communities related to floodplain management implementation, interpretive guidance, and program administration tasks. This can be especially valuable for smaller or resource-limited jurisdictions that may struggle with day-to-day NFIP floodplain management responsibilities.

What is included under the "performance evaluation" lane?

Performance evaluation involves states assessing whether communities are effectively carrying out NFIP floodplain management activities. This can include reviewing local rules, permitting practices, and general alignment with minimum NFIP standards.

How does CAP-SSSE help reduce flood losses?

By pairing hands-on technical assistance with oversight and evaluation, the program aims to improve consistency and quality in floodplain management. Improved implementation and compliance can reduce repetitive losses and reinforce the NFIP goal of lowering flood risk and damage over time.

What is the broader intent beyond immediate compliance support?

A stated intent is capacity-building: developing deeper state and community floodplain management knowledge so expertise is lasting rather than temporary. The program also leverages states' familiarity with local conditions so communities can make workable and defensible floodplain management decisions.

Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants are state governments and special district governments.

What region does this posting apply to?

This notice is specifically for Region 6.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 97.023.

What categories or public-purpose areas are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized across a broad range of public-purpose areas including community development, disaster prevention and relief, environmental and natural resource management, and related fields.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is DHS 21 MT 023 06 01.

When was this opportunity created?

The posting was created on May 14, 2021.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date listed was June 28, 2021.

How many awards did FEMA expect to make?

FEMA anticipated making around five awards under this regional notice.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is shown as 0. This generally indicates the ceiling was not specified in the summary data or may be determined by other FEMA allocation factors rather than a single published cap in the synopsis.

Why does the program emphasize the state role?

The program reflects the state's role in committing to NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria and demonstrating that the state has both the capability and responsibility to support and oversee NFIP-related activities. CAP-SSSE funding supports this by helping states guide communities, troubleshoot compliance challenges, and encourage stronger flood loss reduction practices statewide.

What types of community activities might be reviewed during evaluations?

Based on the description, evaluations can involve reviewing local rules, permitting practices, and the general alignment of community floodplain management activities with minimum NFIP standards.

What practical challenges does this funding help address for communities?

The program supports states in helping communities interpret requirements, administer floodplain management programs, and implement NFIP responsibilities that can be difficult to manage, particularly in smaller or resource-limited jurisdictions.

How does CAP-SSSE relate to NFIP participation?

CAP-SSSE is designed to strengthen NFIP participation by helping communities understand and properly implement NFIP floodplain management requirements and by enabling states to evaluate performance and promote consistent practices across jurisdictions.