Homeland Security Grant Process

Overview

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) integrates the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), and the Citizen Corps Program (CCP). The HSGP program builds upon the combined effort to obtain resources that are critical to building and sustaining capabilities to realize the National Preparedness Goal.

The National Preparedness Goal is to "achieve as sustain risk-based target levels of capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, and to minimize their impact on lives, property, and the economy through systematic and prioritized efforts by federal, State, local and tribal entities, their private and non-governmental partners, and the general public."

This page is designed to provide an overview of Homeland Security Grants in Virginia. Realizing that no one web page can provide all of the information you may need, we will continually be adding to a Frequently Asked Questions page as well as expanding this section of the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness web site by enhancing our Links of Interest and Reports and Publications sections. 

Department of Homeland Security 2008 Grant Program

HSGP Grant Programs

Each year the grant guidance changes the programs. The information below reflects the programs as defined in 2006 and 2007. The changes in programs for 2008 DHS grant programs can be found at 2008 DHS grants or FEMA.

State Homeland Security Program:  SHSP is a core homeland security assistance program that provides funds to build capabilities to implement the goals and objectives included in the State Homeland Security Strategy (SHSS).  SHSP funding is primarily focused on enhancing capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, or recover from Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive devices (CBRNE) and cyber terrorism incidents.  However the allowable scope or SHSP activities includes catastrophic events such as pandemic influenza or the aftermath of natural disasters. 

• Read the fact sheet (pdf, 260 kb)

Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program:  LETPP centers on prevention efforts (one of the four core homeland security mission areas) and implementing the goals and objectives in the SHSS.  LETPP specifically focuses on the prevention of terrorist attacks.

• Read the fact sheet (pdf, 124 kb)

Citizen Corps Program:  Citizens are a critical component in securing the Commonwealth.  The CCP grant program assists with educating, exercising, and training citizens on how to be prepared for and respond to all emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. 

• Read the fact sheet (pdf, 96 kb)

Metropolitan Medical Response System:  MMRS provides funding to designated localities to assist in writing plans, developing training, purchasing equipment and pharmaceuticals, and conducting exercises.

• Read the fact sheet (pdf, 148 kb)

Urban Area Security Initiative: UASI Program funds address the unique planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density Urban Areas, and assist them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. Virginia currently has two areas defined as USAI.

In 2002 the National Capital Region (NCR) established a UASI with the participating Virginia localities including cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. 

In January 2007 the Department of Homeland Security designated the cities of Norfolk, Newport News, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Hampton as a new national UASI. Virginia calls this the Hampton Roads UASI and has included the entire Hampton Roads Planning District as the geographic area.  The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission serves as the financial and administrative point of contact for this UASI. 

• Read the fact sheet (pdf, 104 kb)

In 2008 the Richmond area was designated as a new UASI. At this time the governance structure, locality point of contact and geographic region are under discussion. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management will serve as the State Administrative Agency for the Richmond area UASI.

Funding

The HSGP provides vital funding needed to ensure the safety of Virginia citizens. Grant funds received from 2002 through 2005 were distributed on a population-based formula to states, which flowed the money proportionately to localities. This money was used for equipment and training to increase the terrorist deterrence and prevention abilities of the Commonwealth. 

The Congressional Appropriations Act and Department of Homeland Security changed the funding formula in 2006.  Money was no longer distributed by population but rather through a competitive award to states with emphasis on the distribution of funds across both local needs and statewide initiatives.  A portion of the total grant is distributed to local jurisdictions for the purchase of equipment, to serve as the lead financial agent for a regional study, and other competitive awards.  Other funds are retained by a state agency and spent on behalf of the Commonwealth.  Examples of funding retained by the state and spent on behalf of the Commonwealth include statewide training and exercise programs, preparedness public education and strategic planning.

• 2006 DHS Funded Initiatives (pdf, 80 kb)
• Letter to City Managers/County Administrators from VDEM State Coordinator Michael Cline regarding the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2006 DHS Grant Award (pdf, 257 kb)
• VDEM Fact Sheet for 2006 DHS Grant Award and Memorandum of Understanding (pdf, 102 kb)
• 2007 DHS Homeland Security Grant Projects Funded

DHS Authorized Equipment List

For instructions on how to use the DHS Authorized Equipment List download How to Use the RKB (Responder Knowledge Base). (Word doc, 667k)