MARC News

DHS changes homeland security grant allocation process for 2006

January 18, 2006

MARC’s Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee is working with the state of Missouri and officials from the St. Louis area to complete a joint application for federal FY2006 homeland security funds. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made major changes to how homeland security grants will be allocated this year.

In past years, the Kansas City region was awarded Urban Area Security Initiative funds, and then developed a proposed budget. This year, the region must submit a competitive application for all homeland security grant funds. The application must include a multi-year enhancement plan and detail up to 15 investment areas that will address national priorities. The 15 investments may be a combination of specific projects from the enhancement plan that will be accomplished over the next 24 months.

DHS is working toward a National Preparedness Goal, which will serve as the basis for federal preparedness assistance. The goal presents a collective vision for national preparedness, and establishes a framework that guides all levels of government in the development and maintenance of capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from major events.

As part of this process, DHS has established seven national priorities to meet the country’s most urgent needs:

1. Expanded regional collaboration
2. Implementation of the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan.
3. Implementation of the interim National Infrastructure Protection Plan
4. Strengthening information sharing and collaboration capabilities
5. Strengthening interoperable communications capabilities
6. Strengthening chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) detection, response and decontamination capabilities
7. Strengthening medical surge and mass prophylaxis capabilities.

In making funding allocation decisions for FY2006, DHS will focus on improving or enhancing capabilities that support these seven priorities. Grants will be based on risks from terrorism, but states and urban areas may use grant funds to address capabilities for all hazards, whether natural or man-made.

The 2006 Homeland Security Grant program includes not only the Urban Area Security Initiative, but also the State Homeland Security Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, the Metropolitan Medical Response System, and Citizen Corps. The state and law enforcement programs will receive base allocations, with a portion of the funding based on risk and need. The MMRS and Citizen Corps programs will be funded based on a set formula. Only the UASI program fund allocation will be based solely on risk and need.

The UASI program is designed to address the unique planning, equipment, training and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas, and to help them build and enhance the sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism.

MARC has been designated by the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee to coordinate the UASI program on behalf of the Kansas City region. In FY 2003, the region received $9.7 million in UASI funds; in FY 2004, $13.2 million; and in FY 2005, $8.1 million. DHS has advised MARC to consider funding levels similar to previous grant years as the FY 2006 application is developed.

DHS has provided the following documents to help states and urban areas apply for FY 2006 funds:

• The State Homeland Security Program and Capabilities Review Guidebook, Volume 1 — guidance on assessing needs and capabilities
• The State Homeland Security Program and Capabilities Review Guidebook, Volume II — guidance on developing a multi-year enhancement plan to address national priorities
• The FY 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit.

In early January, the RHSCC co-chairs identified key investment areas for the 2006 application, including (not in any priority order):

• Expanded regional collaboration
• Implementation of NIMS
• NIPP/Critical Infrastructure
• Planning
• Interoperable communications
• Information sharing
• CBRNE detection, response and decontamination capability
• Medical surge and mass prophylaxis
• Epidemiology and surveillance
• Isolation and quarantine
• Mass care
• Responder health and safety
• Citizen education
• Training and exercise

The region has been investing in many of these areas for several years. Projects already underway that fall into one of these investment categories are listed, along with appropriate committees and subcommittees. Agencies, committees or other groups that have specific projects or proposals that will help the Kansas City region achieve goals in one of the investment areas should get in touch with MARC staff or the appropriate RHSCC subcommittee by February 8. (See table below.)

DHS expects to make its funding decisions by May 31, 2006. At that time, the Kansas City area will be given a dollar amount to support the projects included in the application for FY 2006. Following notification of the grant award, the region will have 60 days to prepare a budget for the available funds, which RHSCC anticipates might be less than the amount requested in the application.

For additional information, see the funding process memo or contact Erin Lynch or Marlene Nagel at MARC.

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