Transmittal of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet — Public Assistance for Child Care Services

1. Log No: CCDF-ACF-IM-2010-01
2. Issuance Date: July 6, 2010
3. Originating Office: Child Care Bureau, Office of Family Assistance
4. Key Words: Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), FEMA Disaster Assistance Guidance, Public Assistance for Child Care Services

To

State, Territorial and Tribal Lead Agencies administering child care programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 1990, as amended, and other interested parties.

Subject

Transmittal of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet 9580.107 — Public Assistance for Child Care Services.

References

The CCDBG Act (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.); section 418 of the Social Security Act; 45 CFR Parts 98 and 99; sections 403(a)(3) and 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §5121-5207); 44 CFR Part 206; 75 FR 13777-13778.

Purpose

This Information Memorandum transmits a FEMA Fact Sheet regarding reimbursement for child care services during federally declared major disasters and emergencies and provides guidance to CCDF grantees regarding certain reimbursable activities. Grantees are encouraged to share this guidance with their State or local emergency management officials.

Background

After a disaster or emergency, child care can be an important human service activity needed to help protect the safety of children and support the stabilization of families and communities. Many Lead Agencies have responsibility for assisting State and local emergency management officials with the provision of temporary child care in the aftermath of a disaster, supporting child care providers in their efforts to rebuild and repair damaged facilities, and ensuring continuity of care and services for families receiving assistance through the CCDF program.

As the primary federal agency responsible for supporting State and local efforts to respond and recover from disasters, FEMA provides reimbursement through the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program to assist State, Tribal and local governments, and certain types of Private Nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President. Through the PA Program, FEMA provides supplemental Federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of eligible private non-profit (PNP) organizations. FEMA provides supplemental assistance for State and local government recovery expenses, and the Federal share will always be at least 75 percent of the eligible costs.

On March 23, 2010, FEMA published in the Federal Register a notice of availability of Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet DAP9580.107, Child Care Services (75 FR 13777-13778). This fact sheet identified certain child care services that are eligible for reimbursement under the Category B, Emergency Protective Measures provision of the FEMA Public Assistance Program. In this guidance FEMA provides examples of eligible reimbursable costs associated with the provision of child care services during federally declared major disasters and emergencies. (Attached)

For more information about FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program and the application process, visit their website at: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm

Guidance

The following is a summary of eligible child care activities outlined in the FEMA Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet.

Emergency Sheltering

Reimbursement for setting up standalone and temporary child care centers. FEMA has established that a State, local, or tribal government may be reimbursed through the PA program for costs associated with providing child care services to families as part of emergency sheltering efforts, including the operation of stand alone child care centers. This includes reimbursement for the cost to provide services and for the facility and its operations (e.g., labor costs, supplies and commodities). The State or local government may use its own resources directly or can contract with a private entity to provide temporary child care services.

The provision of child care services to accommodate families who need temporary relief in the immediate aftermath of a disaster can be an important supportive service. Child care can protect children from disaster-related hazards and ensure children are safe while parents visit damaged property, access benefits, and make efforts to rebuild their lives. Child care also helps expedite recovery efforts by ensuring emergency and volunteer workers have access to child care and by enabling businesses and local government agencies to re-open and re-establish services.

CCDF Lead Agencies should consider incorporating the capability to provide temporary child care services, consistent with FEMA guidelines for reimbursement under the PA program, into formal emergency planning and preparedness efforts. This should include development of regulatory standards for operating emergency or temporary child care. Child care administrators are encouraged to engage their State and local emergency management officials to discuss processes for implementing temporary child care services directly through government agencies or by establishing standing contracts or agreements with outside private organizations that have expertise in provision of temporary child care, such as child care resource and referral agencies or state voluntary organizations active in disasters.

Resources

• “Is Child Care Ready,” A Disaster Planning Guide for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. [Chapter 3 - Temporary Child Care; Appendices - Standards and Procedures for Emergency Child Care Centers] National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). http://www.naccrra.org/disaster/
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADS) http://www.nvoad.org/index.php/member/statevoad.html
• “State Licensing Regulations about Emergency Preparedness,” National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC). http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/poptopics/ep_regulations.html

Temporary Relocation Facilities

Reimbursement for re-establishing child care services provided by States, localities, or non-profit organizations prior to a disaster.

FEMA has established that the provision of child care services is considered to be an essential community service and will provide assistance for the lease, purchase, or construction of temporary facilities to re-establish child care services provided prior to a disaster. Assistance is limited to child care facilities operated by a governmental or eligible private nonprofit (PNP) entity prior to a disaster. If the facility was damaged, the cost of obtaining temporary facilities to re-establish operation of the program until the damaged facility can be repaired is an activity eligible for reimbursement by FEMA. Child care facilities that are privately owned and operated are not considered eligible applicants for FEMA reimbursement.

Repair, Restoration, or Replacement of Public and Private Nonprofit Facilities

Eligibility of Public and Private Nonprofit (PNP) child care facilities for reimbursement of expenses to repair, restore, or replace child care centers.

FEMA has established that governmental and eligible PNP organizations which operate child care centers may be eligible for assistance in repair, restoration, or replacement of facilities. In order for private non-profit organizations to be considered for reimbursement, the applicant must first apply for a disaster loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA). If SBA does not approve the loan or approves a loan for less than the amount required to repair the disaster damage, the applicant may apply to FEMA for assistance for the difference. Child care facilities that are privately owned and operated are not considered eligible applicants for FEMA reimbursement.

Resources

• Disaster Assistance Loans for Businesses, Small Business Administration (SBA). http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/

FEMA Regional Contacts

http://www.fema.gov/about/contact/regions.shtm

Questions

Direct inquiries to the Child Care Program Manager in the appropriate ACF

Regional Office.

/s/
Ann H. Barbagallo
Acting Director
Office of Family Assistance