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<br /> EMPG Program Appendix | 2023 Page H-19
<br />individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs, individuals with diverse culture and
<br />language use, individuals with lower economic capacity, and other underserved populations.
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<br />Individual preparedness should be coordinated by an integrated body of government and nongovernmental
<br />representatives as well, including but not limited to, elected officials, the private sector (especially privately
<br />owned critical infrastructure), private nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based,
<br />community-based, and voluntary organizations), advocacy groups for under-represented diverse populations
<br />that may be more impacted by disasters including children, seniors, individuals with disabilities or other
<br />access and functional needs, individuals with diverse culture and language use, individuals with lower
<br />economic capacity, and other underserved populations. By engaging these stakeholders, EMPG Program
<br />recipients can help FEMA develop and promote a suite of well-targeted solutions for individuals and
<br />communities to adopt. Recipients should coordinate preparedness initiatives with FEMA and whole
<br />community partners to efficiently apply federal funding to reach the goal of individual and communit y
<br />resilience.
<br />The following preparedness programs are allowable expenses and resources:
<br />• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs, which educate volunteers about
<br />disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and train them in basic disaster
<br />response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical
<br />operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization
<br />that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more
<br />complex tasks.
<br />• Financial Preparedness Activities that encourage and assist Americans in preparing for the true
<br />cost of disasters. Allowable activities include encouraging emergency savings, promoting home and
<br />renter’s insurance, and promoting flood insurance for individuals and families. Partnerships with
<br />local financial wellness organizations such as credit unions, financial counselors, community banks,
<br />and others that reach a variety of audiences are encouraged.
<br />• Preparedness of Community-Based Organizations that serve as a critical safety net for
<br />Americans disproportionately impacted by disasters. Examples of community-based organizations
<br />include but are not limited to food banks, food pantries, homeless shelters, school readiness and
<br />after school centers, adult day care centers, job training centers, legal assistance centers, and
<br />cultural centers. Allowable activities include Whole Community exercises, trainings, and activities
<br />focused on staff preparedness, information sharing with clients and government, and continuity of
<br />essential functions in the event of an emergency.
<br />• Youth Preparedness Resources are available on Ready Kids. Bolstering youth preparedness
<br />across the nation is a priority for FEMA as the Agency works with state, local, tribal, and territorial
<br />partners to create a culture of preparedness in the United States. Information on youth-centric
<br />educational curricula, games, planning materials, and other relevant resources can be found at
<br />Ready Kids. Furthermore, FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division and regional -
<br />based Community Preparedness Officers are available to provide grant recipients with guidance and
<br />assistance. Please email FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov to contact one of the Agency’s subject
<br />matter experts.
<br />The following are examples of youth preparedness activities that recipients are encouraged to
<br />undertake as allowable costs:
<br />o Reach out to a local school board or elementary school to encourage the adoption of the
<br />Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) curriculum. STEP is a classroom-based
<br />emergency preparedness curriculum for 4th- and 5th-graders in an easy, ready-to-teach
<br />format. Students will learn about disasters, emergencies, and hazards, and how to create a
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