Crisis Counseling (97.032)
Program
97.032 Crisis Counseling
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 416, Public Law 93-288, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 5182, Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Act, Public Law 100-707.
Program Number
97.032
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide immediate crisis counseling services, when required, to victims of a major Federally-declared disaster for the purpose of relieving mental health problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster or its aftermath. Assistance provided is short-term in nature and provided at no cost to the disaster victims.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants to States to provide immediate crisis counseling services including screening, diagnostic, and counseling techniques, as well as outreach services such as public information, community networking, consultation and education which can be applied to meet mental health needs immediately after a major Federal disaster declaration. Mental health workers specified in the grant are eligible for training that will enable them to provide crisis counseling services. The grant may not be used to provide treatment for substance abuse, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, or any pre-existing mental health conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States are eligible for grants. If the Governor determines during the assessment that because of unusual circumstances or serious conditions within the State or local mental health network, the State cannot carry out the crisis counseling program, he/she may identify a public or private mental health agency or organization to carry out the program or request the FEMA Regional Director to identify, with assistance of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), such an agency or organization.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual disaster victims in Federally designated major disaster areas.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Grant awards will be determined in accordance with OMB Circulars No. A-102 and No. A- 87 for State and local governments. Awards made to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-Profit Organizations will be required to follow the requirements of OMB Circulars No. A-110 and No. A-21.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Consultation and assistance are available from FEMA and the Center for Mental Health Services of the DHHS. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Upon declaration of a Federal emergency or major disaster, application for Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training is made through the Governor's Authorized Representative to the Regional Director of FEMA.
Award Procedure
Funds are allocated from the President's Disaster Relief Fund. Immediate services grants are approved by the FEMA Regional Director from this allocation on the basis of the project application. Funds are awarded to State offices of emergency management which are responsible for distributing funds to State mental health or other agency or organization identified by the Governor.
Deadlines
Immediate services applications are due within 14 days of a Presidential declaration.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
For immediate services grants, the State may appeal the Regional Director's decision in writing within 60 days of the date of notification of the application decision. The State may further appeal the Regional Director's decision to the Deputy Associate Director of the Response and Recovery Directorate.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Immediate services are provided from date of incident up to 60 days from the date of declaration. Assistance is awarded as required.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly, interim and final progress reports are required. Site visits are conducted as deemed necessary by the FEMA Regional Director.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $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
Expenditure records and related documents must be retained for 3 years from date of final payment.
Program Accomplishments
As of fiscal year 2001, this program responded to twelve major disaster declarations in eight States.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0702-0-1-453.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $21,012,705; FY 03 est $6,000,000; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
44 CFR 206.171, Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training; and RR-9, State Handbook Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training.
Related Programs
93.982, Mental Health Disaster Assistance and Emergency Mental Health.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of addresses for FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20528 Tel. (202) 282-8000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Immediate Crisis Counseling Services for victims of floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other Federally declared major disasters as defined by the Stafford Act.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Presidential declaration of a major Federal disaster. The State must justify that the needs are disaster related and beyond State and local resources.
