SSBG DCL-2022-02 Weather Event Flexibilities FY2022

Social Services Block Grant

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#:                              SSBG-DCL-2022-02

DATE:                              December 15, 2021

TO:                                   SSBG Grant Recipient States Impacted by Weather Events 12/2021

SUBJECT:                       SSBG Flexibilities in Response to a Disaster

ATTACHMENT(S):        2021 Uniform Definition of Services (PDF)

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this message is to provide guidance to states on the use of Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds to respond to emergencies and natural disasters such as the weather events impacting the midwestern states in December 2021.

Use of SSBG Funding for Disaster Relief

When natural disasters occur, funding from the Social Services Block Grant may be used to assist states and territories with emergency assistance needs. SSBG is a flexible funding resource that allows states and territories to have broad discretion in the specific services supported with grant funds.  Grant recipients may tailor the use of these funds to best meet the needs of state or territory populations. Through the SSBG, states and territories may provide essential social services that help achieve a myriad of goals to promote economic independence, protect children and adults from neglect, abuse, and exploitation; and help individuals stay in their homes or to find the best institutional arrangements, if necessary.

Potential Uses of Funds

Allowable uses of Social Services Block Grant funds to deal with crisis situations, particularly for social services needs resulting from a natural disaster or related emergencies, include any costs that can be categorized under the SSBG Uniform Definitions of Services.  Examples of supported activities to assist in crisis may include Housing Services, Independent or Transitional Living Services, Case Management Services, or Counseling Services.  Affected grant recipients should consider the full range of social services needed to assist as remedies, in part, to disasters and emergency events.

States, also, may request a waiver from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use SSBG for some regularly restricted uses of SSBG funds such as for construction or general medical care. 

Changes to Approved Intended Use Plans

Grant recipients may change their program benefits and assistance types throughout the Federal fiscal year to address unexpected natural disasters and other needs.  A plan amendment by letter to the Office of Community Services (OCS) is required, typically, prior to service provision.  However, considering the immediacy of this December 2021 emergency, states are expected to submit their amended Intended Use Plan as soon as is reasonably possible, and no more than 60 days within service timeframes.

Health and Mental Health Needs

Children, families, and social services staff may experience stress and even trauma related to tornadoes and other disasters. SSBG grant recipients are encouraged to work with local agencies and partners to support health and mental health services to individuals in the states impacted.  In providing services to newly homeless families and children, impacted adults including those with disabilities and the elderly, SSBG grant agencies and delegate programs should consider ways to assess health and mental health status along with other immediate social service needs. Flexibility in allocating funding to address such needs at the state lead agency level is encouraged, with commensurate guidance encouraged for locally funded agencies. 

The following resource is available from the lead federal entity for disaster aid, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at no cost, to assist programs in responding to the natural disaster, as well as preparing for any future emergencies.

• Coping with Disaster entails a series of tip sheets for adults and children on recognizing stress from an emergency and information on how to address the emotional effects of the event.

Technical Assistance Consultation

Colleagues in the Office of Community Services, and the Social Services Block Grant, are available to assist with technical assistance or questions regarding flexibilities. If grantees encounter other barriers responding to individuals and families with low incomes, aside from those included in this DCL, please feel free to reach out via SSBG@acf.hhs.gov or (202) 401-5591 for consultation. We are committed to ongoing partnership with states to address the unique and widespread impacts of this emergency.  

Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS grantees.