Citizen Corps (97.053)

Program

97.053 Citizen Corps

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2008, Public Law 110-53; Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, Public Law 110-329.

Program Number

97.053

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To bring together government and community leaders and involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. Citizen Corp strives to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds. As a means of building law enforcement and community collaboration, Citizen Corp works closely with numerous partner organizations devoted to crime awareness and response, including the Department of Justice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program, the National Sheriffs� Association, and Neighborhood Watch programs.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements

Uses and Use Restrictions

Uses: For costs associated with assisting The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in developing a national strategy to improve the public�s response to witnessing suspicious behavior. The IACP will develop a strategy by (among other things) communicating and coordinating with the ongoing national Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative (National Security Initiative) and appropriate representatives from the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and the Office of the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (PM_ISE). The intent of the strategy is to increase individual responsibility, vigilance, and police-community partnerships. Refer to program guidance.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States are eligible to apply for the assistance under this program. For purposes of this program and consistent with the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5122(4), "State" means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Local governments may receive assistance as subgrantees to the States in which they are located. The term "local government" as used in this program has the meaning set forth in the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5122(6), and includes any county, city, village, town, district, or other political subdivision of any State, any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization, including any rural community or unincorporated town or village or any other public entity for which an application for assistance is made by a State or political subdivision thereof.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State and local units of government.

Credentials/Documentation

Credentials: The applicant must clearly demonstrate the ability to conduct the necessary research, facilitate at least three focus group sessions, organize and manage the collection of information, evaluate information, and systematically develop a vetted strategy that can be utilized in communities across the nation. Documentation: Applicants or grantees may be required to supply documentation certifying that a reduction in non-Federal resources occurred for reasons other than the receipt of expected receipt of Federal funds (non-supplanting requirement). Allowable costs must be documented and are determined by reference to OMB Circular No. A-87. Refer to program guidance. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

For preapplication information, refer to program guidance. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications for this supplemental funding must be submitted using the Office of Justice Programs Grants Management System (GMS). To access GMS, go to https://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov/. For complete information on all required forms, attachments, submission instructions / requirements, deadlines, and other procedural information, please refer to program guidance

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed by DHS/FEMA program and administrative staff. FEMA will verify compliance with all administrative and eligibility criteria identified in the grant announcement/program guidance. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued. Notification of award approval is made through the Grants Management System (GMS). Once an award has been approved, a notice is sent to the authorized grantee official. For complete information regarding the award procedure, refer to program guidance.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Refer to program guidance document.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

A new application is required for each Federal fiscal year.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements. None.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Notification of award approval is made through the electronic Grants Management System (GMS). Once an award has been approved, a notice is sent to the authorized grantee official. The period of performance of this grant is twelve (12) months. Any unobligated funds will be de-obligated at the end of the 90 day close-out period. Extensions to the period of performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA and will only be granted for specific and compelling reasons. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Based on project need.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

For complete information on report submission requirements, refer to program guidance. . . Obligations and expenditures must be reported on a quarterly basis via the Financial Status Report (FSR). FSRs These reports are due on 30 days after the end of each quarter: January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (CAPRs) must be submitted semi-annually. The CAPR is due January 30 and July 30. Final FSR and financial, CAPR and BSIR reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant award. Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (CAPR) and Biannual Strategy Implementation Reports (BSIR) are due within 30 days after the end of the reporting periods, which are June 30 and December 31, for the life of the award. Grantees are also required to submit quarterly financial reports. These reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter: January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Final financial, CAPR and BSIR reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant award.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.

Records

Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0560-0-1-999.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $14,572,500; FY 09 est $15,000,000; FY 10 est not reported. - FY 10 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Refer to program guidance.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

All available, relevant guidance is provided to the designated points of contact of all eligible State participants.

Related Programs

97.008 Urban Areas Security Initiative ; 97.025 National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System; 97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants; 97.044 Assistance to Firefighters Grant; 97.052 Emergency Operations Centers; 97.071 Metropolitan Medical Response System; 97.073 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP); 97.074 Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP)

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Headquarters Office: Department of Homeland Security/FEMA 500 C . St SW
Techworld Control Desk
4th Floor, Room 427, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Phone: (202) 646-3640

Web Site Address

http://www.fema.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.