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Attachment A FYOS HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM III. PROGRAM GUIDANCE A. Overview of the Programs In March 2004, Secretary Ridge formed the Task Force on State and Local Homeland Security Funding, which was comprised of Governors, Mayors, county officials, tribal leaders, and other elected and appointed officials from throughout the nation, to examine the distribution of homeland security funds and to develop specific independent, objective recommendations to expedite the process. The Funding Task Force utilized the first-hand experience of these leaders and reinforced the shared federal, state, and local commitment to continually improve the homeland security funding processes. The Funding Task Force focused on three core areas: examining the funding process to understand why there have been delays; examining and cataloging best practices; and providing specific recommendations to eliminate choke points that impede the timely distribution of funds. The Funding Task Force made several recommendations in its June 2004 report submitted through the Homeland Security Advisory Council. The Funding Task Force report can be found at http://www.dhs.aovldhspublic/displav?content=3723. The FY05 HSGP incorporates many of these recommendations into the program's guidance. Task Force Recommendations and FY05 HSGP Allow states and local governments to draw down grant funds from the U.S. Treasury up to 120 days in advance of expenditure, as opposed to the 3-5 da s currenll allowed. Congress should expand the approved uses of State Homeland Security Grant Program funds so as to allow state, county, municipal and tribal entities to better address short term security issues attributed to terrorist threats. Enhance training and technical assistance available to state and local officials involved in the management and distribution of homeland securi rants. Establish an Office of the Comptroller within DHS to assume complete financial responsibility over rant ro rams. Grantees and subgrantees are allowed to drawdown grant funds 120 days prior to expenditure. UASI jurisdictions may use FY05 UASI funds to support operational overtime costs incurred at Code Yellow, in addition to Code Orange alert that are associated with increased security measures at critical infrastructure sites. DHS will provide grants management capabilities technical assistance to state and local officials, as requested, to support the management and distribution of HSGP funds. DHS/SLGCP will establish the Office of Grant Operations to provide administrative and financial rants mana ement su ort. In response to the Funding Task Force recommendations and to improve the homeland security funding process, the grant application process has been streamlined by consolidating six grant programs within FY05 HSGP. This consolidation will enhance each program's visibility across homeland security disciplines and help ensure that available funding is leveraged for maximum impact. The integration of these programs will also strengthen the coordination across the various programs and encourages DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY I OFFICE FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS 18