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 and updated allocations are provided for:
- Aging Infrastructure Account (FY 2024 allocations)
- Aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects (FY 2024 allocations)
- Colorado River Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation Programs (FY 2022 and FY 2023 allocations)
- WaterSMART Grants (updated to split funding by fiscal year)
- Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA; FYs 2023-2024 awards)
- National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega Projects; FYs 2023-2024 awards)
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Posts High-Resolution Land Cover Maps for Coastal Areas The new dataset features a 1-meter resolution. The project was funded by the IIJA.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Requests Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) Data Collection Information will be used to track the type of waivers implemented by grantees. The data may also be used for reporting purposes. Comments close March 25.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Issues Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Guidance
- Applicability of prevailing wage requirements under the IIJA
- 2024 federal poverty guidelines and definition of income
- Vehicle and equipment purchase disposition
TRANSPORTATION
- National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega Projects; $2.045 billion awarded to 11 projects)
- Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA; $2.918 billion awarded to 28 projects)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Announces Federal Share Flexibility Pilot Program The program will allow up to 10 states to determine the federal share of costs on a project, multi-project, or program basis for projects under specified programs through FY 2026. Applications to participate in the pilot are due March 29.
President Vetoes Resolution Disapproving of Buy America Waiver for Electric Vehicle Chargers There is likely inadequate support to override the veto.
FHWA Publishes FY 2024 Supplementary Tables for Federal-Aid Highway Apportionments
FHWA Seeks Comment on New Information Collection Regarding State Disclosure of Toll Rates, Terms, or Conditions for Public Transportation Vehicles That Differ from Those Applicable to Over-the-Road Buses Comments are due March 25.
FHWA Proposes Updates to National Performance Management Measures Under Federal-Aid Highway Programs Among other changes, the rule would update the performance measure to consider impacts of national emergencies on performance, address compliance determinations and penalty assessment for pavement condition measures, clarify data collection standards and requirements, adjust the freight reporting cycle, and provide select clarifying technical corrections. Comments are due February 26.
DOT Proposes to Expand and Modify Authorities Under the Railroad Improvement Financing Program (RRIF) and the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program The rule would incorporate provisions authorized by the IIJA, including a longer term for obligations, expanding projects eligible for TIFIA funding, and adding a requirement that DOT return credit risk premiums paid to the federal government plus accrued interest to the source of the payment when all obligations have been satisfied. Comments are due February 26.
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. Updated allocations are provided for:
- Urban and Community Forestry Program – Competitive Grants (Tennessee)
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Host Virtual Public Hearing on Proposed Regulation to Implement Methane Waste Emissions Charge It will be held February 12, 9:00 a.m. ET (register at the link above).
EPA Updates Q&As on Hydrofluorocarbon Reclaim and Innovation Destruction Grants Applications for the $14.3 million funding opportunity are due February 16.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New allocations are provided this week for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces New Round of Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements Funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the 38 agreements in 23 states aim to divert food waste from landfills. A list of agreements is here; funding amounts are not provided.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Reminds Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Recipients of Annual Report Submission Deadline The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided additional submission information and reminded recipients without a no-cost extension that the report is due February 29.
TREASURY
Deadline Looms for Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund Second Tranche Payment Requests Eligible revenue sharing counties and consolidated governments must complete their submissions for the second tranche payment by January 31.
Treasury Updates State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Investing in America Small Business Opportunity Program FAQs Several new questions were added, as indicated by the date 01/24/2024 in parenthesis.
OTHER NEWS
GENERAL
Census Bureau Concludes 2020 Census Count Review Operations The Count Question Resolution (CQR) and Post-Census Group Quarters Review (PCGQR) programs reviewed 197 requests from governments to review boundaries or counts from the 2020 Census. Updates to these counts will be incorporated into annual population estimates; some were already incorporated into the Vintage 2023 estimates. Results of the CQR will be published over the next few months on this page; counts from 10 states have been corrected thus far. Confidentiality constraints limit what the Census Bureau can release about the PCGQR results, but all localities on this list received changes.
AGRICULTURE
USDA Posts FY 2024 Request for Applications for Specialty Crop Block Grants Applications are due May 2. Additional information on the program is here.
EDUCATION
ED Awards $25 Million for Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) The CCHS program builds the capacity to partner with business and industry to develop career-connected high school programs. Recipients of 19 awards are listed in the press release.
ED Issues Resource for School Administrators on Importance of Safe Firearm Storage The secretary also issued a policy letter on the subject.
Policy Letter Urges Special Ed and Vocational Rehab (VR) Collaboration on WIOA State Plans State VR agencies are developing their Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) state plans, which will be in effect from 2024 through 2027. The plans outline a four-year strategy for each workforce development system, and how it can help people—including those with significant barriers (including disability)—achieve employment and secure high-quality jobs and careers while meeting employers’ workforce needs.
ED Requests Information on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Needs in Higher Education The department wants to work alongside institutions, state higher education agencies, other federal agencies, and experts to ensure students and institutions have the knowledge and resources to select and implement easily accessible and effective interventions. Comments close February 25.
ED Requests Information on Sexual Violence at Educational Institutions As part of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization, a task force is gathering input from survivors, specialists, advocates, institutions of higher education, and other public stakeholders. Comments close March 11.
ENERGY
DOE Awards $171 Million for 49 Projects to Reduce Industrial Greenhouse Gases Sixteen of the projects selected will be led by private industry, 22 by academic institutions, three by nonprofit organizations, and eight by DOE national laboratories.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Awards Nearly $11 Million Through Nine Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Grants Recipients include states, tribes, institutions of higher education, and others.
HEALTH
HRSA Launches New National Maternal Health Initiative The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative aims to:
- Maximize the impact of HRSA grants and programs to address maternal mortality and improve maternal health
- Foster new partnerships and collaborations among grantees in high-need, high-opportunity jurisdictions
- Strengthen HRSA’s internal capacity to maximize the impact of maternal health grants, programs, and resources
Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Send Letter to State Medicaid Administrators on Hepatitis C The letter urges states to ensure, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that their Medicaid programs allow people who have both Hepatitis C (HCV) and substance use disorder to access life-saving HCV medications called direct-acting antivirals. It underscores that both departments are committed to enforcing the ADA concerning Medicaid programs.
CMS Releases Funding Opportunity to Implement, Enhance, and Expand Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) School-Based Services The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will award $50 million, funded under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), to 20 states. Applications are due March 25. The secretaries of HHS and ED also sent a letter to governors on the opportunity.
CMS Releases FAQs on Extending Postpartum Coverage for Medicaid and CHIP The document addresses questions related to benefits and state plan amendment submissions.
CMS Releases Guidance on 2024 Federal Poverty Level Standards The new standards are applied to the eligibility criteria for Medicaid and CHIP. The guidance also provides new standards for Medicare Savings Program categories.
CMS Issues Quarterly Listings of Program Issuances The document provides manual instructions, regulations, and other notices published in the Federal Register from October-December 2023.
CMS Posts Final National Snapshot for 2024 Open Enrollment The release includes plan selections by state.
HRSA Announces New Tool for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clients The tool allows clients to better understand Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility.
HHS Announces New Program to Lower Incidence of Cervical Cancer The new program, called the self-collection for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to improve cervical cancer prevention, or SHIP program, will launch this year. The initiative will be a clinical trial network to gather data on allowing Americans to test for HPV at home.
SAMHSA Hosting Webinar on 988 Crisis Systems The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar on the importance of ensuring equity in 988 crisis systems and strategies for promoting equity across all system levels. It is on January 31, 1:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Distributes FY 2024 Second Quarter Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Awards The release includes state allocations for the first and second quarter through February 2.
ACF Provides Details on Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Disaster Supplemental for Hurricanes Fiona and Ian ACF released application instructions for Interim Recovery Grants, which is the second phase of the process. Applications are due March 7.
ACF Releases FY 2022 Financial Data for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ACF released financial data tables outlining federal TANF and state maintenance-of-effort (MOE) spending, as well as national and state pie charts.
ACF Seeks Comment on FY 2025-2027 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan Preprint The final comment period ends February 21. The revised plan reflects feedback from states and other partners during the initial public comment process.
ACF Releases Intergovernmental Personnel Act Ethics FAQs This program provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and state and local governments.
ACF Posts Annual Child Maltreatment Report Child maltreatment victims have decreased for the past five years to a new low in 2022. The report includes updated state data.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Partnership and Engagement’s Southwest Border Coordination Team and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to Host Briefing for State and Local Governments It will be held today at 1:30 p.m. ET (register at the link above).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards $39 Million for Healthy Homes Production Grant Program Investments will eliminate health and safety hazards in more than 2,400 homes of low-income families across 15 states, provide resources to build capacity for healthy homes interventions, and support the development of local workforces to hire housing renovation contractors and healthy housing practitioners to complete critical healthy homes work. A list of recipients is in the press release.
HUD Awards $3.16 Billion in FY 2023 Homelessness Assistance Funding Continuum of Care program awards for more than 7,000 projects will provide housing assistance and/or supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. The press release summarizes funding by state; a complete list of awards is here.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Announces $32.2 Million in Arts Funding The first round of recommended awards for FY 2024 includes 1,288 grants. A listing by state is here.
NSF Awards $150 Million for 10 Regional Innovation Engines The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the awards under the CHIPS and Science Act to establish 10 Regional Innovation Engines across 18 states. Each team will receive an initial $15 million over the next two years with the potential to receive up to $160 million each over the next decade. Awards can be viewed here.
Updated Connect America Fund (CAF) Broadband Map Released The map shows where broadband internet service has been built out with CAF support as of September 30, 2023. The CAF channels universal service funds (collected from telecommunications companies) to providers to bring broadband to rural communities that might otherwise go unserved.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Seeks Comment on Using Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric to Verify Universal Service Fund High-Cost Program Deployment Compliance Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Announces $12 Million Funding Opportunity to Provide Training and Employment Services to Reduce Homelessness Among Veterans These Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program grants will provide each awardee a maximum of $600,000 annually for up to three years. There will be two webinars for prospective applicants:
Applications are open until March 11.
DOL Posts Guidance on FY 2024 Budget Control Act Sequestration for Mandatory Unemployment Insurance Programs
DOL Announces Availability of $9.5 Million for Senior Community Service Employment Program Grantee Information Technology Costs The funds are for costs related to the DOL transition to the new Grantee Performance Management System case management tool. Applications must be submitted by March 26.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Seeks Comment on Information Collection for Child Nutrition Labeling Program Comments are due 30 days after publication.
FNS Posts Video on Preparing an Effective Farm to School Grant Proposal
FNS Posts Updated Instructions for Child Nutrition State Administrative Expenses (SAE) Recovery Process and SAE Financial Status Report (FNS 777 SAE)
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection via Applications from Stores Wishing to Participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Comments will be accepted through February 29.
FNS Posts Guidance for FNS-640 Child Nutrition Administrative Review Reporting
FNS Announces 2024 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Benefit Levels by Jurisdiction
TRANSPORTATION
FHWA Provides $729.4 Million for Disaster Repairs Through Emergency Relief Program Funds were provided to 34 States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.