The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report shedding light on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its Homeland Security Grant Program. The report underscores areas where FEMA could enhance its processes for making changes to the program’s National Priority Areas and improve communication with stakeholders.
Documentation Gaps in National Priority Areas Changes
While FEMA has established a process for modifying National Priority Areas within the Homeland Security Grant Program, the GAO report points out a notable gap – the lack of full documentation regarding the rationale and process for these changes. The report suggests that comprehensive documentation would not only enhance transparency but also contribute to the preservation of institutional knowledge crucial for the continuity of the program.
Communication Challenges and Outreach
FEMA has undertaken efforts to provide information to grantees through webinars and technical assistance calls. However, the GAO report highlights a deficiency in targeted outreach, especially when compared to the listening sessions conducted in fiscal year 2021. The report recommends that FEMA engage in additional targeted outreach to better comprehend and address the communication challenges faced by stakeholders. This would not only improve collaboration but also assist grantees in their planning efforts and enable more effective fund prioritization.
Alignment Monitoring and Project Changes
FEMA employs various methods to monitor the alignment of grantees’ projects with National Priority Areas. The GAO analysis of FEMA data from fiscal year 2020 through 2022 reveals a general alignment of grant projects with these areas. Notably, the report highlights the adaptability of grantee projects over time, reflecting changes in National Priority Areas. For instance, the inclusion of domestic violent extremism as a Priority Area in fiscal year 2021 led to corresponding changes in grantee projects, showcasing a dynamic response to emerging threats.
Background and Context
Since fiscal year 2002, FEMA has allocated over $55 billion in threat preparedness grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. The Homeland Security Grant Program, introduced in fiscal year 2020, incorporated National Priority Areas to focus funding on evolving threats. The process for changing these National Priority Areas involves soliciting and analyzing information from various sources, with recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Homeland Security for final decisions.
GAO’s Evaluation Process
To compile this report, GAO evaluated agency guidance and analyzed program data from fiscal year 2020 through 2022. The evaluation included interviews with FEMA officials and state and local emergency management officials from 16 grantee jurisdictions, selected to represent a diverse range of funding levels and geographical locations.
The GAO’s recommendations aim to fortify FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, fostering greater transparency, communication, and adaptability to address evolving threats. As the nation navigates an ever-changing landscape of risks and challenges, these enhancements are crucial for the continued effectiveness of FEMA’s initiatives in bolstering the nation’s security preparedness.
Read the full GAO report here.
