INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New or updated allocations are provided for:
- Ecosystem – Klamath Basin (updated FY 2022 awards; new awards for FYs 2023-2025)
- Airport Terminal Program (FY 2024 awards)
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Updates State and Local Solution Center Webinar Schedule Topics include electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, weatherization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more.
DOE Selects Three Projects to Receive up to $60 Million Total for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (ESG) Pilot Demonstrations Recipients are private entities.
DOE Awards More than $17 Million to Support Design and Construction of Facilities that Produce Rare Earth Elements and Other Critical Minerals and Material from Coal-Based Resources Additional information on the selected projects is here.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Posts FY 2023-2025 Project Funding Totaling Nearly $71 Million for Ecosystem Restoration Projects in the Klamath Basin Project partners primarily include tribes and nonprofit organizations.
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Availability of $30 Million for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects State and local governments are eligible to apply. The application due date is unclear; it is listed as June 1, 2023, on grants.gov.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Awards $970 Million to 114 Airports Under FY 2024 Airport Terminal Program A complete list of awards is here.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Redistributes Authorized Funds Totaling $321 Million to States Under Third Continuing Resolution (CR) The notice supersedes the one redistributing $234 million for the period ending January 19. These funds do not come with additional obligation authority and are subject to the obligation limitation set by the CR, as detailed here.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Publishes 2024 First Quarter Progress Update for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Seeks Comment on Proposed Updates to Award Management Requirements Circular The proposed updates reflect legislative changes and combine requirements applicable to all FTA financial assistance awards. Comments are due April 15.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Publishes Guidance on Acceptance and Use of Geometric Data Obtained from Non-Federal Entities Comments are due March 18.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Proposes to Update Manual on Information Systems Procedures Under Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program Comments are due March 21.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. No new allocations are provided this week.
ENERGY
DOE Invests $63 Million to Accelerate Heat Pump Manufacturing Under Defense Production Act (DPA)
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Releases Draft Approach for Implementing $100 Million Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials The program purpose is to identify and label construction materials used for transportation projects and federal buildings that have substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions. Comments on the draft are due March 15. EPA will host a webinar to solicit feedback on February 27, 12:00 p.m. ET (register). Additional information is here.
EPA Announces Availability of $83 Million in Non-Competitive Funding for Air Quality Monitoring
- Air monitoring grants ($81 million): Available to eligible state, local, tribal, and territorial air pollution control agencies.
- Air quality sensor grants for low-income and disadvantaged communities ($2 million): Available to air pollution control agencies currently involved in air monitoring activities and that regularly receive Clean Air Act section 103 or 105 grants.
EPA did not detail available funding by eligible recipients but did provide funding allocations by region in the guidance for each program. No match is required. Applications are due April 8. EPA will host a webinar on the opportunities February 28; registration information will be posted here.
HEALTH
CMS Releases Second Part of IRA Draft Guidance for Medicare Prescription Payment Plan The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlined the requirements for Medicare Part D plan sponsors—including outreach and education requirements, pharmacy processes, and operational considerations—for the program’s first year (2025).
CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT (CHIPS)
Department of Commerce (DOC) Signs Preliminary Agreement to Provide $1.5 Billion in CHIPS Funding for Manufacturing Sites in New York, Vermont Final award documents will be considered with GlobalFoundries, Inc., once a comprehensive due diligence process is completed satisfactorily.
Semiconductor Ecosystem Participants Invited to Join National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) Community of Interest Interested entities—including companies, educational institutions, state/local governments, semiconductor customers, and investors—are asked to complete a survey available at the link above.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New allocations are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
- Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants (new, American Rescue Plan [ARP])
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Links to ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) maintenance of equity materials
ED Requests Information Collection on Foreign Institution Reporting Requirements Under the CARES Act Comments close March 21.
OTHER NEWS
COMMERCE
DOC Updates Equity Action Plan
EDUCATION
ED Updates Equity Action Plan
Administration Takes Next Steps on Rulemaking to Provide Debt Relief to Student Loan Borrowers Proposed regulatory text outlines a set of factors that could be used to identify hardship.
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Dear Colleague Letter Outlines Agency Priorities
ENERGY
DOE Issues Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Guidance
DOE Issues Program Year (PY) 2024 Application Materials for State Energy Program (SEP) Applications are due either April 26, May 10, or May 24, depending on the PY end-date. Formula allocations by state are available here.
DOE Updates Equity Action Plan
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Hosting Training Webinars on New Source Performance Standards for Oil and Natural Gas Operations Final Rule The purpose of the rule is to reduce methane and volatile organic compound emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed sources. The trainings will be held on the following dates with specific target audiences:
- Small businesses and industry: February 27, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Tribes: February 28, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Communities: February 29, 6:00 p.m. ET
Registration for the webinars is available here, and additional information on the rule is here.
EPA Expands Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative to 150 Additional Communities The initiative partners with underserved communities to provide technical assistance on accessing federal wastewater funding. Information on eligibility is here. Interested communities can request assistance on a rolling basis; there is no deadline to apply.
EPA Updates Equity Action Plan
EPA Releases 2023 Power Plan Emissions Data
HEALTH
CMS Releases Updated Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Prospective Pay System (PPS) Technical Guidance The guidance is to assist states in developing clinic-specific PPS rates, cost reporting, and claiming Medicaid expenditures.
CMS Announces Webinar to Address Social Determinants of Health in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Programs The webinar is March 13, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
CMS Revises Instructions for States on Medicare Savings Programs The instructions cover the eligibility and enrollment processes.
CMS Releases Improving Postpartum Care Brief The brief provides results for states that participated in a learning collaborative to improve health outcomes among postpartum people.
SAMHSA Launches the Behavioral Health Information Technology Initiative The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) initiative aims to advance health information technology in mental health and substance use disorder care. Specifically, it will identify and pilot a set of data elements with Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant and Community Mental Health Services Block Grant grantees to improve effectiveness and reduce the costs of data capture, use, and exchange for providers.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Releases Update to Equity Action Plan
HHS Launches Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative Six states—Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Mexico—will participate in a new effort to address postpartum mortality by focusing on policy changes to improve outcomes in rural areas.
HUMAN SERVICES
HHS Releases Framework to Strengthen Efforts to Prevent Human Trafficking The framework reflects research and best practices in violence prevention and health promotion and is a resource for organizations, communities, and governments.
HHS Report Examines Child Care Eligibility for FY 2020 The report estimates eligibility for child care subsidies under federal and state rules and the number of children receiving subsidies. It includes state data.
HHS Study Examines Impact of Refugees and Asylees on Economy The report examines the impact at the federal, state, and local levels from 2005-2019.
ACF Provides Guidance on IT Child Welfare Demonstration Projects The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) program instruction describes the documentation requirements an agency must complete to maintain compliance with Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) requirements while evaluating new child welfare business processes, tools, or information technologies (IT) through pilots.
ACF Posts Allocations, Guidance for Child Welfare Programs The guidance provides actions states and territories are required to take to receive FY 2024 funding for Child Welfare Services, Promoting Safe and Stable Families, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, and Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).
ACF Provides Instructions for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Quarterly Reports The guidance provides instructions and deadlines for the quarterly and management report. The deadline for the first quarter report has been extended to February 28.
ACF Releases Welfare Rules Databook The book highlights state and territory Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) policies as of July 2022.
ACL Announces Program Application, Allocations for Adult Protective Services Funding The Administration for Community Living (ACL) provided the application and program details for FY 2024 funding. States must submit a letter of assurance and initial spend plan by March 15.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Updates Equity Action Plan
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Issues Guidance for Grantees on Completing Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) Under Shelter and Services Program (SSP)
FEMA Publishes Guidance on Potential and Eligible Funding Uses to Address Gun Violence Under Certain Preparedness Programs It applies to all applicants, recipients, and subrecipients for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces 2023 Renewal and New Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program Grants FSS is a voluntary initiative offered to families in HUD-assisted housing. Participants receive coaching, referrals to services, and establish a family escrow savings account. More than $128 million was awarded to 835 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) owners. Here are links for new awards and renewals.
HUD Releases 2023 Update to Equity Action Plan
HUD Awards $2 Million to Revitalize Smaller Communities and Develop Affordable Housing Three grantees will receive awards for a combined $2 million in 2023 Hope VI Main Street grants: Emporia, Kansas; Caney, Kansas; and Manatí, Puerto Rico.
HUD Hosting CDBG/ICDBG Proposed Rule Listening Session The proposed rule would make revisions and updates to the requirements governing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Indian CDBG (ICDBG) programs. The listening session will be held February 28, 1:30 p.m. ET. Register here.
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Audit Finds Financial Information Collected from CDBG Entitlement Grantees Needs Improvement
HUD Proposes Information Collection for CDBG-Disaster Recovery Outcomes of Renter Households Comments close March 21.
HUD Announces Awards for Host of Competitive Programs The programs are listed in the announcement; most are for FY 2022 funding.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Adopts Policy Statement on Housing and Historic Preservation The document discusses why rehabilitating and reusing historic buildings can help to address the housing shortfall in many communities. It promotes streamlining and improved permitting and aims to address the burdens historically imposed on disadvantaged and underserved communities, and communities with environmental justice concerns.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Seeks Comment on Proposal to Expand Multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. A press release and commissioner comments are available here.
FCC Publishes Proposal to Use Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric to Verify Universal Service Fund High-Cost Program Deployment Compliance Comments close March 15.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Updates Equity Action Plan
JUSTICE
Department of Justice (DOJ) Releases Update to Equity Action Plan
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Posts Logistical Details for FY 2024 Unemployment Insurance National Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Paid Claims Peer Review DOL will reimburse travel expenses for two staff per state to attend the review in Atlanta, April 8-12.
DOL Posts Guidance for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Stand-Alone State Plans for Program Years 2024-2027 States must submit plans no later than March 29 to be certain of review and approval before the program year begins on July 1.
DOL Releases Updated Equity Action Plan
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Posts Guidance for Interim Final Rule on State Agency Monitoring in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Specifically, the memo clarifies the new criteria states must consider when determining which SFSP sites require pre-approval visits. The rule was published in December, 2023.
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection Regarding Requests for Additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Funding Comments close March 18.
FNS Publishes Adjusted Child Nutrition Income Eligibility Guidelines The new guidelines will apply July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
FNS Issues 2022 Participant and Program Characteristics Report for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Among the key findings: the percentage of WIC participants with incomes below the poverty line declined from 64% in 2020 to 57% in 2022.
FNS Updates Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Question and Answer Page Among the dozens of new questions answered are 23 on financial management.
TRANSPORTATION
DOT Updates Equity Action Plan
FTA Hosting Webinar on CMS Medicaid Coverage Guide The guide outlines the provision of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT). The webinar will review key elements in the guide, what it means for public transit, and how it can be a tool for transit agencies and state DOTs. It will be held February 28, 2:00 p.m. ET (register at the link in heading).