To: Voluntary Agency CEOs, and NFP Presidents and Executive Directors
From: The Office of Disaster Recovery at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) via OTDA and OCFS
Thank you for all of your efforts during this COVID-19 health emergency. OTDA and our partner agency OCFS are both committed to providing any assistance or guidance that we can to assist you during these critical times. The Office of Disaster Recovery at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will be holding several virtual Applicant Briefings to discuss the federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that may be available under the COVID-19 major disaster declaration. The briefing will provide state agencies and authorities, local governments and private non-profits guidance on the eligibility standards for being an applicant under a FEMA disaster grant and what types of activities are reimbursable under this current declaration.
We encourage any entity that is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak to register. Briefings will be held at several dates and times. DHSES advises that the current COVID-19 FEMA disaster grant can provide funding for actions taken before, during, and following a disaster to save lives, protect public health and ensure the safety of citizens.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of items that may be eligible for federal reimbursement: •Virus testing •Medical supplies & equipment (e.g. PPE) •Shelters or emergency care •Provision of food, water, ice, other essential needs •EOC Operations •Security for temporary facilities Additionally, the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) has informed us that FEMA is providing information sessions on the guidelines needed when procuring and contracting for services and seeking federal FEMA reimbursement.
Delivery Format: Online training trough Adobe Connect. If you have never used this platform, test your connection in advance: https://fema.connectsolutions.
Training dates, Applicant Briefings, and access information are provided on OTDA’s Contract and Grant Opportunities website at http://otda.ny.gov/contracts/
