Jefferson Schools Receive Temporary Facilities with FEMA Help 

Release Date: October 29, 2007
Release Number: 1603-738

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HARVEY, La. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds have allowed Jefferson Parish Public School officials to move into temporary facilities that will house the school's administrative functions.

FEMA has funded the placement of temporary facilities that are housed at the building site in Harvey. The temporary facilities, which provide a critical component for Jefferson Parish's public educational system, opened in August for the start of the 2007-08 school year. In addition to the temporary buildings, FEMA funds also financed furniture, equipment and supplies.

Hurricane-driven winds blew off a majority of the building's roof, which caused rainwater to permeate the interior. This subsequently caused excessive mold growth. These damages have left the building uninhabitable. Repairs have not yet begun.

"(The temporary trailers) helped us open up some things and do things we couldn't do after the storm," Jefferson Parish Public School Director of Emergency Management Jason Watkins said. "The temporary trailers have once again allowed parents to go back to a private area where they can talk to school personnel about the educational needs of their child."

FEMA has obligated more than $2.0 million toward temporary facilities at the Jefferson Parish Public School Management Facilities Building.

When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the Jefferson Parish Public School System, to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 29-Oct-2007 08:35:57