U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
Washington, DC 20528 


Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 State Homeland Security Program Tribal (SHSP 
Tribal) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. 
What is the purpose of the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal? 
The purpose of the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal is to provide supplemental funding directly to 
eligible tribes to help strengthen their communities against risks associated with potential 
terrorist attacks. 

2. 
How much funding was available under the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal? 
The total amount of funds distributed under the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal was $1,788,000. 

3. 
What are the priorities for the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal? 
Priorities for the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal continue to further narrow the focus through the risk-
based funding and the capability-based planning processes that DHS began four years ago. 
FY 2009 SHSP Tribal focused on the following objectives as its highest priorities: 

a. 
Addressing Capability Requirements and Measuring Progress in Achieving the National 
Preparedness Guidelines 
b. 
National Priority: Strengthen Planning and Citizen Preparedness Capabilities - 
Strengthening Preparedness Planning 

c. National Priority: Strengthen Information Sharing and Collaboration Capabilities - 
Maximizing Information Sharing via the National Network of Fusion Centers 

d. 
National Priority: Strengthen Medical Surge and Mass Prophylaxis -Developing and 
Enhancing Health and Medical Readiness and Preparedness Capabilities 
At least 25 percent of FY 2009 SHSP Tribal funding must be allocated to the Strengthening 
Preparedness Planning Priority through planning, training and exercise activities. 

4. 
Who was eligible to apply for FY 2009 SHSP Tribal funds? 
Per the 9/11 Act, “a directly eligible tribe applying for a grant under section 2004 [SHSP] 
shall designate an individual to serve as a tribal liaison with [DHS] and other Federal, State, 
local, and regional government officials concerning preventing, preparing for, protecting 
against, and responding to acts of terrorism.” 

The term “directly eligible tribe” means – 

(A) any Indian tribe – 
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(i) 
that is located in the continental United States; 
(ii) that operates a law enforcement or emergency response agency with the capacity to 
respond to calls for law enforcement or emergency services; 
(iii) 
(I) 
that is located on or near an international border or a coastline bordering an 
ocean (including the Gulf of Mexico) or international waters; 
(II) 
that is located within 10 miles of a system or asset included on the prioritized 
critical infrastructure list established under section 210E(a)(2) [please refer to 
section 1001 of the 9/11 Act] or has such a system or asset within its territory; 
(III) that is located within or contiguous to 1 of the 50 most populous metropolitan 
statistical areas in the United States; or 
(IV) the jurisdiction of which includes not less than 1,000 square miles of Indian 
country, as that term is defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code; 
and 
(iv) that certifies to the Secretary that a State has not provided funds under section 2003 
[UASI] or 2004 [SHSP] to the Indian tribe or consortium of Indian tribes for the 
purpose for which direct funding is sought; and 
(B) 
a consortium of Indian tribes, if each tribe satisfies the requirements of subparagraph 
(A). 
In summary, eligible tribes must meet the requirements set forth in (A) (i), (ii), and (iv). 
Tribes must also meet one of the requirements set forth in (A) (iii); either (I), (II), (III), or 
(IV). Finally, (B) may also be satisfied, if each tribe satisfies the requirements of 
subparagraph (A). 

5. 
How were FY 2009 SHSP Tribal allocations determined? 
FY 2009 SHSP Tribal funds were allocated based on risk and anticipated effectiveness upon 
completion of the application review process. For FY 2009, (as in FY 2008), eligible tribal 
applications were evaluated through a national review process. The national review process 
assessed the Investments’ completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, and 
feasibility, in addition to how well the proposed Investments addressed the identified need(s) 
or capability shortfall(s). The Investment Justification required narrative on strategy, 
implementation, and impact. This information was used to evaluate the anticipated 
effectiveness of all proposed Investments. 

6. 
What legislation authorized funding for the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal? 
The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009 
(Public Law 110-329) provided funding for this program. 

7. 
Where is the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal Guidance and Application Kit located? 
The FY 2009 SHSP Tribal Guidance and Application Kit is located online at 
http://www.fema.gov/grants as well as on www.grants.gov. 


8. 
What other resources are available to address programmatic, technical and financial 
questions? 
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. 
For additional program-specific information, please contact the Centralized 
Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) help line at (800) 368-6498 or 
askcsid@dhs.gov. CSID hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, 
Monday through Friday. 

. 
For financial-related questions, including pre-and post-award administration and 
technical assistance, please contact the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 or via 
e-mail to ASK-GMD@dhs.gov. 

9. 
What is the period of performance for the FY 2009 SHSP Tribal? 
The period of performance of this grant program is 36 months. Extensions to the period of 
performance will be considered only through formal requests to FEMA with specific and 
compelling justification why an extension is required. 

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