Biden-Harris Administration: First 100 Days

Release Date:
April 30, 2021

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Actions taken by FEMA since January 20, 2021 prioritized equity and leveraged strategic partnerships to deliver record-breaking achievements in furtherance of Biden-Harris Administration priorities. This document identifies key FEMA accomplishments in the first 100 days of the Administration.

"100 Days of Action” to respond to the coronavirus pandemic

Prioritized Equity

The following FEMA actions are consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration placement of equity at the core of the federal strategy to defeat the pandemic:

  • Analyzed data, including population and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index data, and collaborated with states, territories, and tribes, and local public health officials to determine the best locations for Community Vaccination Center federal pilot sites.
    • Resulting in greater than 57 percent of persons vaccinated at pilot Community Vaccination Centers are members of an underserved population.
  • Supported language needs of individuals coming to federally supported vaccination centers by providing over-the-phone interpretation access in 187 languages.
    • FEMA provided translations of vaccination information and guidance documents into 40 languages.
  • Deployed 11 mobile vaccination units to help serve hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
  • Established a Civil Rights Advisory Group to proactively consider and promptly resolve civil rights concerns and help ensure equity in the allocation of resources including future vaccine allocation.
  • Deployed civil rights advisors and disability integration specialists to help local, state, tribal and territorial government partners through vaccination efforts.
  • Developed a Civil Rights Checklist to remind FEMA recipients of their obligations to provide access to vaccine-related programs, activities and services in a nondiscriminatory manner.
  • Providing communication access to the deaf and hearing-impaired communities accessing the community vaccination centers, including on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services, clear masks, and face shields at some centers for ease of lipreading and other assistive devices that assist in communication.
  • FEMA required state, local, territorial, and tribal partners to focus use of FEMA resources on the highest-risk and underserved populations and to prioritize limited resources to ensure an equitable pandemic response.

Increased Supply Chain

FEMA immediately began to deliver on our mission under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Vaccination Plan and the President’s Executive Order on a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain. As a result, FEMA leveraged authorities to secure supply chains to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic under the Stafford Act and the Defense Production Act.

Vaccination Support

  • FEMA provided 100 percent federal cost share to states for their use of their National Guards (Title 32) in response to COVID-19 and Public Assistance emergency protective measures to support the states in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
  • As of today, FEMA has provided more than $4.75 billion in Public Assistance to 46 states, six tribes, five territories and the District of Columbia in support of vaccination efforts across the country.
  • Since January 20, the federal government provided critical support in the form of personnel, supplies, and/or funding to help create or expand 1,732 community vaccination centers nationwide. This includes:
    • 38 pilot vaccination community vaccination centers.
    • 729 sites received federal personnel: The Biden-Harris Administration has deployed staff nationwide to support vaccination operations. Not including members of the National Guard, FEMA deployed 9,096 staff nationwide to support the vaccination mission with federal personnel and technical assistance.
    • 443 sites received federal funding: This funding allows sites to scale up operations and cover critical materials including masks, gloves, emergency feeding actions, sheltering at risk populations. The funding flows to states, localities, tribes, territories, and eligible non-profit organizations. 
    • 87 sites received federal equipment: From folding chairs to sharps containers to dry ice, the federal government provided a range of equipment to meet state and local needs and help create or expand sites.
    • 1,195 sites received fully funded National Guard members under Title 32:
      •  In total, over 32,000 National Guard members (Title 32) deployed in support of COVID-19 operations across 53 states and territories.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Beginning on April 12, FEMA launched COVID-19 funeral assistance throughout the country.

FEMA is accepting and processing applications for funeral assistance and will provide financial assistance forCOVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 as provided for by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

  • FEMA is delivering funeral assistance on this unprecedented scale to fulfill its commitment to helping ease some of the financial stress created by the pandemic.
  • FEMA established a funeral assistance special-case team of experienced caseworkers to help expedite casework and to support timely and accurate responses to applicant specific inquiries.
  • As of April 28, FEMA answered more than 317,000 calls in approximately 60 different languages.
  • As of April 30, FEMA received more than 154,500 funeral assistance applications, of which FEMA awarded more than $2.1 million.

State, Territory, and Tribal Support

Emergency Food and Shelter Program

On April 19, the application period for $110 million in Emergency Food and Shelter Program supplemental funding opened. This funding is available to organizations that provided, or will provide, services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security at the southern U.S. border.

  • Nonprofits, faith-based, and government organizations that provide shelter, food, transportation, basic heath and first aid, COVID-19 testing and associated medical care needed during quarantine and isolation and other supportive services may apply.
  • Congress also appropriated an additional $400 million for organizations nationwide that provide services to our nation’s hungry and homeless. Applications for the $400 million will be accepted later this year.

Preparedness Grants

On February 25, FEMA announced $1.9 billion in funding opportunities for preparedness grants as part of the Administration’s support to states, tribes and territories to combat threats such as domestic violent extremism

Response and Recovery

FEMA continues to meet the mission to respond to disasters on behalf of the Administration. 

  • Since January 20, 2021, President Biden approved 19 Major Disaster and Emergency Declarations activating federal resources to support states and tribes. 
    • DR-4585 Alaska: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, landslides, and mudslides.
    • EM-3555 Oklahoma: Emergency Declaration for a severe winter storm.
    • DR-4587 Oklahoma: Major Declaration (Individual Assistance and Public Assistance) for emergency protective measures from a severe winter storm.
    • EM-3556 Louisiana: Emergency Declaration for a severe winter storm.
    •  DR-4590 Louisiana: Major Declaration (Individual Assistance and Public Assistance) for emergency protective measures from a severe winter storm.
    • EM-3554 Texas: Emergency Declaration for Severe Winter Storms
    • DR-4586 Texas: Major Declaration (Individual Assistance and Public Assistance) for emergency protective measures from severe winter storms.
    • DR-4584 Washington: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by wildfires and straight-line winds.
    •  DR-4583: Maryland: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Isaias.
    • DR-4582 Navajo Nation: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) emergency protective measures for the entire Tribe impacted by COVID-19.
    •  DR-4588 North Carolina: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities from Tropical Storm Eta.
    • DR-4589 Idaho: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by straight-line winds.
    • DR-4591 Poarch Band of Creek Indians: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) emergency protective measures for the entire Tribe impacted by COVID-19.
    • DR-4592 Kentucky: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm, landslides, and mudslides.
    • DR-4593 Washington: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
    • DR-4594 Tennessee: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe winter storms.
    •  DR-4592 Kentucky: Major Declaration (Public Assistance) for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe winter storms, landslides, and mudslides.
    •  DR-4596 Alabama: Major Declaration (Individual Assistance) for severe storm, straight-line winds, and tornadoes.
    • DR-4597 New Jersey: Major Disaster Declaration (Public Assistance) for severe winter storm and snowstorm.

Major Declaration (Individual Assistance) approved for Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas after the February severe winter storm. As of April 29, FEMA obligated:

  • More than $5.2 million in grants to survivors (under the Individual and Households Program to offer assistance to individuals and families) affected by the storm in Louisiana.
  • More than $2.0 million in grants to survivors (under the Individual and Households Program to offer assistance to individuals and families) affected by the storm in Oklahoma.
  • More than $156.7 million in grants to survivors (under the Individual and Households Program to offer assistance to individuals and families) affected by the storm in Texas.

National Flood Insurance Program

After nearly 50 years, FEMA will update the National Flood Insurance Program pricing methodology to communicate flood risk more clearly so households can make more informed decisions on risk, insurance, and mitigation actions to protect against the perils of flooding. 

  • This generational change spurs immediate action in the face of changing climate conditions, builds individual and community resilience, and delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration priority of providing equitable programs for all.
  • These changes advance those goals by fixing longstanding inequities in flood insurance pricing and creating a system that is better equipped for the reality of frequent flooding caused by climate change.
  • Further, these updates will improve individual and community resilience, reduce disaster-related suffering, and ensure fairness for the more than five million flood insurance policyholders in 22,500 communities nationwide.
  • An estimated 23 percent of current policy holders will see an immediate premium decrease.
    • 66% of current policyholders will see, on average, $0-10 per month increase.
    •  7% of current policyholders will see, on average, $10-20 per month increase
    • 4% of current policyholders will see, on average, of $20 or more per month increase

Equity, Climate Adaptation and Resilience

FEMA advanced the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategic priorities on several climate and equity fronts:

  • FEMA established the Climate Adaptation and Equity Enterprise Steering Groups.
  • FEMA identified programs for an equity assessment under Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
  • FEMA issued FEMA Policy #104-21-0004: “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance (PA)” in response to EO 13995: Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery.
  • FEMA participates in broader DHS efforts, such as the DHS Climate Risk and Resilience Work Group, to implement climate and equity-related action.

Executive Orders

FEMA advanced the Administration’s priorities as reflected in executive orders and other presidential actions.   

  • Executive Order 13996 on Establishing the COVID-19 Pandemic Testing Board and Ensuring a Sustainable Public Health Workforce for COVID-19 and Other Biological Threats.
  • Executive Order 13988: Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation
  • Executive Order 13991 on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing.
  • Executive Order 13995: Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery
  • Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

FEMA completely closed out two executive actions with direct mandates to FEMA in support of the Administration’s COVID-19 response efforts:

  • Memorandum 2021–02043 on Extending Federal Support to Governors’ Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States.
  • Memorandum 2021–02569 on Maximizing Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

To meet requirements of subsequent Executive Orders, FEMA published in the Federal Register a Request for Information, 86 FR 21325, to ensure that its programs, regulations and policies contain necessary, properly tailored and up-to-date requirements that effectively achieve the agency’s mission in a manner that furthers the goals of advancing equity for all including those in underserved communities, bolstering resilience from the impacts of climate change, particularly for those disproportionately impacted by climate change, and environmental justice.

  • EO 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
  • EO 13990 on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.
  • EO 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

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