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<br />FY05 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM - VERSION 2.0. 12-22-2004 <br /> <br />III. PROGRAM GUIDANCE <br /> <br />A. Overview of the Programs <br /> <br />In March 2004, Secretary Ridge formed the Task Force on State and Local Homeland <br />Security Funding, which was comprised of Governors, Mayors, county officials, tribal <br />leaders, and other elected and appointed officials from throughout the nation, to <br />examine the distribution of homeland security funds and to develop specific <br />independent, objective recommendations to expedite the process. The Funding Task <br />Force utilized the first-hand experience of these leaders and reinforced the shared <br />federal, state, and local commitment to continually improve the homeland security <br />funding processes. The Funding Task Force focused on three core areas: examining <br />the funding process to understand why there have been delays; examining and <br />cataloging best practices; and providing specific recommendations to eliminate choke <br />points that impede the timely distribution of funds. The Funding Task Force made <br />several recommendations in its June 2004 report submitted through the Homeland <br />Security Advisory Council. The Funding Task Force report can be found at <br />http://www.dhs.Qov/dhspublic/displav?content=3723. The FY05 HSGP incorporates <br />many of these recommendations into its program guidance. <br /> <br />Table 5. Fundin Task Force Recommendations and FY05 HSGP <br /> <br /> <br />Allow states and local governments to draw down <br />grant funds from the U.S. Treasury up to 120 <br />days in advance of expenditure, as opposed to <br />the 3-5 da s currentl allowed. <br />Congress should expand the approved uses of <br />State Homeland Security Grant Program funds <br />so as to allow state, county, municipal and tribal <br />entities to better address short term security <br />issues attributed to terrorist threats. <br />Enhance training and technical assistance <br />availabie to state and local officials involved in <br />the management and distribution of homeland <br />securit rants. <br />Establish an Office of the Comptroller within DHS <br />to assume complete financial responsibility over <br />rant ro rams. <br /> <br />Grantees and subgrantees are allowed to drawdown <br />grant funds 120 days prior to expenditure. <br /> <br />UASI jurisdictions may use FY05 UASI funds to <br />support operational overtime costs incurred at Code <br />Yellow, in addition to Code Orange alert that are <br />associated with increased security measures at <br />critical infrastructure sites. <br />DHS will provide grants management capabilities <br />technical assistance to state and iocal officials, as <br />requested, to support the management and <br />distribution of HSGP funds. <br />DHS/SLGCP will estabiish the Office of Grant <br />Operations to provide administrative and financial <br />rants mana ement su ort. <br /> <br />In response to the Funding Task Force recommendations and to improve the homeland <br />security funding process, the grant application process has been streamlined by <br />consolidating six grant programs within FY05 HSGP, This consolidation will enhance <br />each program's visibility across homeland security disciplines and help ensure that <br />available funding is leveraged for maximum impact. The integration of these programs <br />will also strengthen the coordination across the various programs and encourages <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECUR(TY I OFF(CE FOR DOMEST(C PREPAREDNESS <br />18 <br /> <br />