Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) Program - Region 2 | DHS 22 MT 023 02 01

FAQs: FY 2022 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE), FEMA Region 2

What is the FY 2022 CAP-SSSE Program for FEMA Region 2?

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) for FEMA Region 2 is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through FEMA. The program supports state-level work tied to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), with the goal of strengthening how states help local communities manage floodplains, reduce flood risk, and meet NFIP requirements.

Is this funding a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is offered as a cooperative agreement. In general, this means FEMA expects substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as guiding, coordinating, or monitoring the work, rather than simply awarding funding and stepping back.

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The main purpose is to fund state-level entities so they can provide technical assistance to participating NFIP communities and assess how well those communities are carrying out NFIP floodplain management responsibilities. The broader aim is to improve local implementation of floodplain management measures that reduce flood losses over time and help communities remain in good standing with the NFIP.

How is CAP-SSSE connected to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

CAP-SSSE is tied directly to the NFIP and focuses on strengthening the support structure that helps communities meet NFIP floodplain management requirements. By improving state-to-local technical assistance and community performance assessments, FEMA uses CAP-SSSE to help achieve NFIP flood loss reduction goals in day-to-day local practice.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and special district governments. The opportunity is designed to operate through state-level coordinating structures rather than funding individual municipalities directly.

Are individual cities, towns, or counties eligible to apply directly?

Based on the eligibility listed, the applicants are state governments and special district governments. The description emphasizes state-level coordinating functions and does not indicate that individual municipalities are direct applicants under this posting.

What kinds of activities does CAP-SSSE fund?

The funded work centers on (1) delivering technical assistance to participating NFIP communities and (2) assessing community performance related to NFIP floodplain management responsibilities. The emphasis is on improving how communities implement floodplain management measures that reduce flood losses and maintain NFIP compliance over time.

What does "technical assistance" to NFIP communities mean in this program?

In this context, technical assistance refers to state-level support that helps communities interpret and apply NFIP requirements in real-world floodplain management. The description highlights support related to compliant floodplain ordinances, correct use of flood maps in permitting decisions, and sound administrative practices that keep a community in good standing with the NFIP.

What does the program mean by assessing community performance?

The program includes work to assess how well participating NFIP communities are carrying out their floodplain management responsibilities under the NFIP. The intent is to identify gaps in local compliance and support corrective actions when issues arise.

What types of flood loss reduction measures are emphasized?

The description emphasizes measures such as adopting and enforcing compliant floodplain ordinances, applying flood maps correctly in permitting decisions, and maintaining sound administrative practices. These are practical steps that influence whether communities consistently reduce flood risk and comply with NFIP requirements.

What is the role of the State Coordinating Agency under CAP-SSSE?

A central feature is the formal role of the State Coordinating Agency (often the NFIP State Coordinator or an equivalent office). The program is structured around state coordinating functions, including advising communities, helping interpret NFIP requirements, identifying compliance gaps, and supporting corrective actions.

Where are the State Coordinating Agency duties defined?

The designation, duties, and responsibilities for state coordinating functions are outlined in federal regulation at 44 CFR 60.25. In this opportunity, those regulations frame what the state is committing to and how it demonstrates capability and accountability to implement the program effectively.

What capability is the state expected to demonstrate to implement CAP-SSSE?

The state is expected to maintain enough expertise and staffing to advise communities, interpret NFIP requirements, identify gaps in local compliance, and support corrective actions. The program is also described as building floodplain management knowledge and capacity at both the state and community level.

Why does FEMA route this support through states instead of funding communities directly?

The posting describes CAP-SSSE as operating through state-level coordinating structures. It highlights that states can provide consistent state-to-local support and can leverage their familiarity with local conditions and relationships with local officials to strengthen floodplain management implementation across communities.

What region does this opportunity cover?

This posting is specific to FEMA Region 2.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 22 MT 023 02 01.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this program?

The posting is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 97.023.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making under this Region 2 posting?

FEMA anticipated making about three awards under this posting for Region 2.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of 0. This typically indicates that a specific maximum amount was not stated in the public synopsis and that applicants would need to consult FEMA's full notice or regional guidance for expected funding levels, budgets, and any allocation methodology.

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on May 5, 2022, and the original application closing date was June 16, 2022.

What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The listing includes activity categories spanning community development, disaster prevention and relief, environment, natural resources, and related areas. These categories align with the program's focus on flood risk reduction and stronger floodplain management practices.

What is the overall outcome FEMA is trying to achieve with CAP-SSSE?

The program is intended to strengthen institutional expertise and state-to-local support so communities can better implement NFIP floodplain management responsibilities, reduce flood losses over time, and maintain NFIP compliance. In practical terms, it aims to improve how floodplain rules, mapping, permitting, and administrative practices are carried out at the community level.