The Corporation is making additional PDAT funds available to commissions to build the capacity of AmeriCorps State and National Direct programs (including EAPs) to prepare for and respond to disasters.  These funds will be added to your 2006 State Commission PDAT grants.  In addition, specialized training and technical assistance will be available through selected Corporation training providers.

Specifically, PDAT grants will be augmented as follows:

• $140,000 to each of the Gulf States [Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida] to increase their capacity to train and support sub-grantee programs to assist in the recovery from the hurricanes of fall 2005.  The funds are also to increase sub-grantee capacity to prepare for and respond to future disasters; including consideration of special needs communities such as people with disabilities, seniors and non-English speakers.
• $20,000 to all other States to increase their capacity to train and support sub-grantee programs in disaster preparation and response; including consideration of special needs communities such as people with disabilities, seniors and non-English speakers.

 
State PDAT Augmentation   

Alabama Louisiana Mississippi Texas Florida Other States Total

$140,000 $140,000 $140,000 $140,000 $140,000 $980,000 $1,680,000

Funds are to be used in accordance with current guidance and provisions associated with the PDAT grants with the following exception: State Commissions (especially those in Gulf States) may choose to hire or contract up to 1.0 FTE in addition to the 1.0 FTE authorized in current PDAT guidance.  This is a one-time authorization to exceed the 1.0 FTE ceiling which extends through December 31, 2007.  The purpose of the additional FTE is to assist in managing and coordinating the additional PDAT activities that result from your amended allocation. 

Examples of activities for which these funds may be used include:

• training and support that build the capacity of the state’s programs to prepare for and respond to disasters;
• training events, meetings, conferences, etc., that build infrastructure and relationships and that clarify the roles necessary to ensure successful AmeriCorps program disaster preparation and response in each state, and
• production of training materials that improve the quality and the state’s programs in the areas of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

These funds are made available for the express purpose of strengthening the capacity of AmeriCorps programs to prepare for and respond to disasters. State commissions can choose not to apply for all or a portion of these funds.
 
OLDT staff will initiate an eGrants amendment to your existing PDAT award, and electronically send the amendment to you no later than June 10.  This will enable you to amend your budget to include activities up to your allocated amount.  Please revise your existing PDAT budget by:

1. adding one or more budget lines dedicated to the disaster relief funds being used;
2. specifying how the funds will used to pay for the disaster related training technical assistance activities (see examples above), and
3. revising your program narrative to explain the new activities. 

We will award this grant augmentation within 30 days of receipt of your correct, approved submission. The Corporation must receive your budget revisions no later than June 30, 2006. 

These funds may be spent in the current calendar year and in 2007. PDAT Plans to be submitted in fall ‘06 should contain plans and associated budgets for any of these special disaster funds being carried forward for activities in 2007.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde (606-6839) or Ralph Morales (606-6829) in OLDT.