Mount Carmel To Utilize One Of FEMA's Flexible Funding Policies
Release Date: January 16, 2009
Release Number: 1603-829
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Mount Carmel Academy will benefit from an innovative Public Assistance approach to contents for schools across Louisiana, announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA).
FEMA has provided applicants, such as the Recovery School District and now Mount Carmel Academy, with the flexibility to combine all of their public assistance grant monies for Katrina-damaged or lost contents into one grant and use that money towards broad "building contents" categories.
"Since Katrina, FEMA has worked with other federal agencies, the state and local governments to develop innovative policies within our Public Assistance Program to best benefit the public in their recovery process," said Jim Stark, director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "By working with Mount Carmel and allowing them funding flexibility in regards to repairing or replacing their lost contents, FEMA is providing progressive solutions to most effectively assist in their rebuilding efforts."
Mount Carmel Academy and FEMA have agreed to group contents into four major categories furniture and fixtures, instruction and supplies, school equipment and supplies, and technology.
FEMA's flexibility in their "building contents" policy with Mount Carmel Academy will allow the school to maximize their funding and adjust it to their specific content needs within these four categories instead of forcing them to purchase pencil for pencil or book for book.
"Rebuilding a quality education system in Louisiana is a key component to our long-term plan," said Paul Rainwater, executive director of the LRA. "Making public assistance funds more accessible to our schools will help facilitate a quicker recovery."
To date, FEMA has obligated more than $19.9 million in federal funding for Mount Carmel Academy. Of this total funding, approximately $8.2 million has been allocated for the repair or replacement of the school's lost contents.
"Everyone had patience and worked together because they knew that one day with FEMA's assistance and the government's willingness to help, we would be able to get back, complete and whole, as we had been before," said Sister Camille Anne Campbell, principal of Mount Carmel Academy.
When project funds are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a federal Smartlink account. Once the funds have reached this account, the applicant can request reimbursement from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for eligible work completed. 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.
During his first day in office, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an Executive Order directing the LRA to be responsible for the state's actions with regard to FEMA's Public Assistance program. The LRA is working in conjunction with GOHSEP and its federal partners to identify ways to streamline the Public Assistance process and improve efficiency, with the ultimate goal of cutting in half the length of time that applications spend in the process.
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.
Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the LRA is the coordinating and planning body leading the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history. The central point for hurricane recovery in Louisiana, the LRA works closely with the GOHSEP and partners with state and federal agencies to oversee more than $20 billion worth of programs, speed the pace of rebuilding, remove hurdles and red tape and ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before. For more information about the LRA and its 17-member board, visit lra.louisiana.gov.
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: Thursday, 29-Jan-2009 12:32:43