Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 4 | DHS 21 MT 023 04 01

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - FY 2021 CAP-SSSE (Region 4) - FEMA

What is the FY 2021 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 4 grant?

This opportunity is a FEMA grant that funds state-level support work to strengthen how communities carry out floodplain management under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is designed to help states assist local governments with understanding, applying, and maintaining NFIP requirements, while also evaluating how well participating communities are implementing floodplain management standards.

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE funding?

The core purpose is practical and on-the-ground: supporting state activities that improve NFIP implementation by local jurisdictions. By backing state coordination, technical assistance, and oversight functions, the program aims to reduce flood losses over time, improve compliance with NFIP rules, and build long-term floodplain management capability at both the state and local levels.

How does this grant help communities participating in the NFIP?

CAP-SSSE supports state functions that directly affect community NFIP performance, such as helping local governments interpret and apply NFIP floodplain management requirements and assessing community implementation of floodplain management standards. The intended result is more consistent and effective floodplain management across NFIP communities, supporting continued participation and stronger practices that reduce flood damage and related costs.

What kinds of activities does CAP-SSSE typically support?

Based on the description provided, supported work commonly centers on state-provided technical assistance, coordination, and community evaluations tied to NFIP implementation. These activities are meant to help communities maintain eligibility and improve floodplain management practices.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments and special district governments.

Which federal agency is offering and administering this opportunity?

The awarding agency is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What type of funding instrument is this?

This funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That generally means FEMA expects an active partnership with recipients (for example, collaboration and ongoing coordination) rather than a purely hands-off pass-through of funds.

How is this opportunity connected to NFIP state roles and federal regulations?

The program is tied to the formal role of the State Coordinating Agency described in 44 CFR 60.25. That regulation describes how states commit to NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria and demonstrate the capacity and responsibility to carry out coordination, assistance, and oversight functions. CAP-SSSE is designed to help states perform those duties that federal regulations already anticipate states will take on to support NFIP-participating communities.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 21 MT 023 04 01.

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

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

When was this opportunity posted?

It was posted on May 14, 2021.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was June 28, 2021.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making under this Region 4 opportunity?

FEMA anticipated making about 8 awards.

Is there a published maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is shown as 0 in the summary information. This typically indicates the ceiling is not specified in the summary data and may instead be determined by allocation formulas, regional totals, negotiated budgets, or other FEMA guidance rather than a single published maximum in the notice summary.

What outcomes is CAP-SSSE intended to achieve?

The program is aimed at making floodplain management more consistent and effective across NFIP communities by leveraging state expertise and relationships with local jurisdictions. Over time, the intended outcomes include reduced flood losses, improved NFIP compliance, and stronger long-term floodplain management capability at both state and local levels.

What broader public-purpose areas does this opportunity relate to?

The opportunity is categorized across several broad public-purpose areas, including community development, disaster prevention and relief, environment, natural resources, and related fields. This reflects that floodplain management affects land use, hazard mitigation, and community resilience.

What is Region 4 in the context of this funding opportunity?

The notice describes this as a Region 4 opportunity. The information provided does not further define the Region 4 geography, but it indicates that awards and expectations are organized on a regional basis for this program cycle.

Does CAP-SSSE focus more on state agencies or local governments?

The funding is for state-level work (including the functions associated with the State Coordinating Agency role), but the practical impact is intended to reach local governments by improving local understanding, application, and maintenance of NFIP requirements and by evaluating community floodplain management implementation.

Why does FEMA emphasize "on-the-ground" support in this program?

The program description emphasizes practical assistance and real-world implementation because NFIP compliance and effective floodplain management ultimately depend on how communities apply standards in day-to-day land use and floodplain management decisions. CAP-SSSE funds state support functions that can improve the consistency and quality of that implementation.