Citizen Corps (97.053)
Program
97.053 Citizen Corps
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5121 - 5206; the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000, Public Law 106-74.
Program Number
97.053
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The purpose of Citizen Corps is to supplement and assist State and local efforts to expand Citizen Corps. This includes Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, establishing Citizen Corps Councils and supporting the oversight and outreach responsibilities of the councils. The program supports and promotes efforts to involve a wide range of volunteer groups in activities that enhance individual, community, and family preparedness and contribute to the strengthening of homeland security.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Citizen Corps funds currently available must be used for activities described in the Citizen Corps guidance materials provided to each State's designated point of contact. Grantees will be expected to develop a jurisdiction-wide strategic plan for the Citizen Corps initiative and to implement the elements of that plan. Of the funding provided for Citizen Corps activities, 75 percent must be passed through by the grantees to local governments. Localities receiving grants may use the funding for Citizen Corps Council organizing activities; for organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining CERTs; for defraying the added expense of liability coverage for CERT participants; and for outreach and public education campaigns to promote Citizen Corps and community and family safety measures, to include printing, marketing, advertising, and special events.
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
Funding under this program is ultimately used by emergency management and emergency services organizations and programs of States, U.S. Territories /Possessions, and local governments.
Credentials/Documentation
A program point of contact must be designated by the chief elected official of each jurisdiction eligible to apply to FEMA for assistance.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Citizen Corps is one of several program activities funded under the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States, Public Law 107-206. States will be able to apply for assistance from several program activities, including Citizen Corps, with a single application. Grant application guidance is provided to the point of contact designated by the State governor. FEMA regional personnel will work directly with the States providing technical assistance, as required, as States develop their applications. Local governments apply to their States using procedures established by the States.
Award Procedure
FEMA Regional Offices notify States when awards are approved. States notify local subgrantees of the amounts of their awards.
Deadlines
All eligible applicants will be notified of target dates and any applicable deadlines by way of the guidance packages provided to the State points of contact.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
A new application is required for each Federal fiscal year.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
States will be allocated a base amount of Citizen Corps funds using the percentages prescribed in Section 1014 of the USA Patriot Act, Public Law 107-56. Each State will be allocated a base amount of 0.75 percent of the total amount available except that the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands each will be allocated a base amount of 0.25 percent of the total amount available. The remaining Citizen Corps grant funds will be allocated on the basis of population and added to the base amounts. The Citizen Corps grants will carry no cost-share requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded for the total dollar amount, but the release of funds is on an as needed basis. The initial performance period for non-construction grants is ordinarily one year. Longer or shorter performance periods may be negotiated depending on needs of the grantees and national program management requirements. States are required to initiate requests for funds as close as administratively feasible to the actual disbursements for program costs.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports. The progress of each subgrant award will be included in the grantee's quarterly reports as required by 44 CFR 13.40 and 44 CFR 13.41. Reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter. Report dates are January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant support as required by 44 CFR 13.50. Reports are to be submitted to the FEMA Regional Director. When the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management System (SMARTLINK) is used for advanced or reimbursement payments, the grantee is required to submit a copy of Federal Cash Transaction Report (HHS/PMS 272) to FEMA when it is submitted to HHS.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grant records include financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical records, and other records of recipient or sub-recipient which are required to be maintained by 44 CFR Part 13.42, program regulations or the grant agreement. 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.
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0700-0-1-999.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $25,000,000; FY 03 est $0; FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$54,998 to $1,661,563; $375,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
All available, relevant guidance is provided to the designated points of contact of all eligible State participants.
Related Programs
97.051, State and Local All Hazards Emergency Operations Planning; 97.052, Emergency Operations Centers; 97.025, National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System; 97.038, First Responder Counter-Terrorism Training Assistance; 97.042, Emergency Management Performance Grants; 97.044, Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for FEMA regional offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20528. Telephone: (202) 282-8000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Organization of Citizen Corps Councils and funding for their oversight and outreach activities; development of Citizen Corps programs offering volunteer opportunities and training to conduct public education and outreach to inform the public about crime prevention, disaster mitigation and preparedness, and public health measures; conducting CERT Train-the-Trainer courses to prepare program managers and instructional teams to initiate or expand CERT training programs; initiating, organizing, training and maintaining CERTs as an emergency management resource or as a volunteer pool to carry out special projects to improve community preparedness; and local government projects to continue, maintain, and expand CERT programs.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Grantees are expected to give priority to localities that have demonstrated a commitment to community and family safety and communities that have a high-risk profile based on crime, disaster vulnerabilities, and public health issues. A commitment to community and family safety is shown by such activities as having established or planned a Citizen Corps Council, having programs to promote community and family safety, having conducted community-based events that promote safety, having established mutual aid agreements with other jurisdictions, and having demonstrated a commitment to citizen participation in crime prevention and disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
