Millions In FEMA Funding Offers A More Fluid Recovery For The Orleans Parish School Board
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Release Number: 1603-874
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) is set to receive more than $8.4 million in consolidated federal funding to repair or replace contents damaged or lost during Hurricane Katrina, according to a recent announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA).
Previous to FEMA providing this consolidated grant, the federal agency funded these damages through 32 separate project worksheets, each the result of specific "content assessments" at individual OPSB buildings. In an effort to best meet the school system's post Katrina needs, FEMA, through one of its innovative funding solutions, has combined the previously provided funding for contents into one combined grant.
"This consolidated grant provides the Orleans Parish School Board the flexibility to replace Katrina-damaged or lost contents across multiple facilities as they deem necessary for the progression of their post-Katrina recovery, versus forcing them to replace contents "book for book" or "pencil for pencil," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell. "This is a prime example of our efforts to develop and institute flexibility within our public assistance program so that we are able to more effectively facilitate grants management and support our applicant's current rebuilding plans."
Following a request from OPSB, FEMA's consolidated grant will fund contents under four major category breakouts - publications, furniture, information technology and school equipment and supplies. This grouping of contents allows the school board to maximize its funding and adjust it to their specific content needs within these four categories.
"There is a great need for schools to reopen in New Orleans, and we are happy to see these funds driven down to the Orleans Parish School Board as a consolidated sum, given at one time," said LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater.
In addition to FEMA's recent consolidated grant for contents, the agency has provided OPSB with more than $76 million in public assistance funding to date.
When FEMA approves projects 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.
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's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Sep-2009 11:06:49