Focus on resources: DHS Protective Security Advisors

August 03, 2015

PSA imageRecently, we received an inquiry from an out-of-state colleague. Some of his questions could be answered over the phone, but it was clear that an on-site consultation was in order.

I asked my colleague, “Do you know your Protective Security Advisor (PSA)?” He replied, “What?”

DHS employs PSA’s in all 50 states and many states have multiple regions. Our experience here in NY is that our PSA’s are a wonderful resource. They are hard-working, knowledgeable and professional.

  • Security surveys. Subject to time constraints you can ask your PSA to conduct security surveys and assessments of your facilities. We’ve joined our PSA’s during some of these sessions and their suggestions are both sound and pragmatic.
  • Training. PSA’s have access to a wide variety of training options, e.g. active shooters, suspicious packages, severe weather. Even if you don’t know your exact need, talk to them. They can open up a variety of resources for you.
  • Special events planning. Let them know if you are planning a high profile event. They can advise you on security and logistical issues.
  • Outreach. Get on their radar. They will invite you to various trainings and events.

Click here for more information on Protective Security Advisors. To contact your local PSA, please contact PSCDOperations@hq.dhs.gov. To contact NY PSA’s or if you have questions or need other assistance please complete the form below.

Nonprofit grant package released in NY, due May 4th

April 07, 2015

The application package was released in record time, thank you Shelley Wahrlich and Marianne Lindsay! Sign up for the April 14th webinar now!

The FY 2015 Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (UASI NSGP) has been posted on the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website and is ready for immediate action by interested eligible nonprofits.  A maximum of up to $75,000 in grant funds can be applied for to provide funding support for target hardening and physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a terrorist attack.  Please note that in NY, only nonprofits from the NYC Urban Area (5 boroughs and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester) may apply. (Click here for the areas outside of NY.)  The NY Request for Application and other required documents can be found at  http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/

Nonprofit organizations that are applying for this funding opportunity must be PREQUALIFIED in the NYS Grants Gateway prior to application submission. If you Prequalified last year, check your Document Vault to confirm if any of your documents need to be updated. To learn more about prequalification, go to the Grants Reform website http://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/Grantees).

The due date for applications is 11:59 PM on May 4, 2015.  Any applications and supporting documentation received after the due date and time will not be considered.  If you have any technical questions you can call 1-866-837-9133.

Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York will offer a grant webinar on Tuesday, April 14th at 10:30 AM. The webinar will feature representatives of the NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services discussing the application process and guidance from the JCRC-NY on how to complete the core of the application: the Investment Justification. Of course you can find detailed help at our Security Grants website:www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.

  1. Download the NY application package here. It contains the official “Request for Applications” and supporting documents. Consider this site the “final word” on all matters in NY. Applicants outside of NY should contact their state authorities.
  2. Register for the webinar. Click here to register for the April 14th webinar. Instructions on how to sign on will be sent to all registrants by email prior to the webinar.
  3. Subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the JCRC-NY Security and Emergency Preparedness Alert list. Subscribers will receive updates on the security grant program and other alerts.
  4. Investment Justification. This is the core of the application package. You can see this year’s template here.
  5. Assessments. The application requires a “previously conducted risk assessment.” The assessment could be a crime prevention survey from your local police or other governmental sources, from private vendors or self -conducted. For more information see: www.jcrcny.org/securityresources#surveys

Nonprofit Security Grant: the process begins

April 02, 2015

Remember, we warned that the application period will be abbreviated. Sorry.

The U.S. Department of  Homeland Security released its guidance on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program today. The NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will release the NY application package by the middle of April. Depending on the release and due date, applicants will probably have to submit their packages sometime during  the first  week of May (NY DHSES must review, process and submit the applications by May 19th). Most of the necessary 2015 forms and information can be found at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.

Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York will offer a grant webinar on Tuesday, April 14th at 10:30 AM. The webinar will feature representatives of the NY Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services discussing the application process and guidance from the JCRC-NY on how to complete the core of the application: the Investment Justification. Of course you can find detailed help at our Security Grants website: www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.

  1. Register for the webinar. Click here to register for the April 14th webinar. Instructions on how to sign on will be sent to all registrants by email prior to the webinar.
  2. Subscribe. Click here to subscribe to the JCRC-NY Security and Emergency Preparedness Alert list. Subscribers will receive updates on the security grant program and other alerts.
  3. Get started now. We expect that there will be few changes in the application process. See the graphic below the registration form, outlining the steps you can immediately take to start the New York process now:
    • Pre-qualify. Your application will not be accepted without a 2015 “Status Report” showing that your Document Vault is complete. Click here to go to the New York State Grants Gateway.
      • If you Pre-qualified last year, check your Document Vault to confirm that none of your documents need to be updated.
      • If you never Pre-qualified, register immediately and begin to collect your documents.
    • E-Grants. You must submit your application and documents through the NY DHSES E-Grants system. Click to the E-Grants page, download and fill out the simple application and e-mail to grants@dhses.ny.gov. You will receive information on how to sign on. If you already have an account, you’re OK. The E-Grants system is pretty straightforward and has an excellent tutorial.
    • Assessment. The application requires a “previously conducted risk assessment.” The assessment could be a crime prevention survey from your local police or other governmental sources, from private vendors or self -conducted. For more information see: www.jcrcny.org/securityresources#surveys
    • Investment Justification. This is the core of the application package. You can see this year’s template here. Get started. Transfer your completed questions onto the form provided in the New York application package.

Find detailed help at our Security Grants website: www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants. Here are the steps to get started:

No DHS grant programs without DHS budget (now passed)

February 27, 2015

The Nonprofit Security Grant program is a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget, which is the main attraction of the current Washington drama (see below).

Bottom line: we are virtually certain that there will that there will be a grant program, the question is timing. The way things look, the NY application package may not be ready until mid or late April and due during the first two weeks of May. We suspect that once the grant application package is released it will be substantially similar to previous years, so get started now!

Go to www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants for more information.

Update (March 3) There is now a DHS budget that includes $13 million for the Nonprofit Security grant program.

Update (March 1):  President Obama signed a one week DHS Continuing Resolution (CR).  In terms of any grant programs, this only delays the application process. Assume that it will take 5-6 weeks after the President signs a full-year to issue the application, with few, or no, options to  postpone the due date.

Security grant update

December 19, 2014

question

      1. Will there be a 2015 Nonprofit Security Grant Program?
        • The current federal budget package only continues the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding until February 28, 2015, with no specific provision for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
        • Until Congress completes FY 2015 funding for DHS, no DHS grant programs can commence, including the NSGP program. When the new Congress begins in January, finishing the FY 2015 DHS appropriations will be a priority. Some pundits suggest that the DHS budget will not be passed until February 28th or thereabouts.
        • During this period of uncertainty, the Jewish Federations of North America staff (particularly Rob Goldberg), local federations and others in the coalition will continue to advocate for the best possible outcomes for the programs, which at this point may be maintaining the current level of funding of $13 million. The question is not likely to be if there will be a program, but when and how much.
        • Based on the patterns of past years, the deadlines set by New York and other states may be the beginning of May (or possibly earlier), even if DHS does not release its guidance until late March or April. If that is the case, the application period is likely to be very narrow.
        • The requirements of the grant paperwork are not likely to change in any material way. Get started now!
      2. My organization really deserved a grant … why didn’t we get it? As indicated in our training, the most important skill is to carefully read and follow the directions. Organizations were disqualified if they did not attach required documents (mission statements, risk assessments and status report from the Grants Gateway) and/or received lowered scores if they did not completely answer the questions in the Investment Justification. JCRC’s advice was to use the Scoring Worksheet to “grade” your Investment Justification answers: FY 2014 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Scoring Worksheet.
      3. What can we do now? We assume that any new round of grants will require NY State Prequalification (see below) and a risk assessment. Either of these can be done sooner, rather than later.
        • Prequalification. Nonprofit organizations that are applying for this funding opportunity must be prequalified in the Grants Gateway prior to submitting their application.  In order to start the prequalification process you need to register for access to the Grants Gateway system by going to the Grants Reform website (http://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/Grantees) to download a copy of the Registration Form.
        • Investment Justification. There have been very few changes to the Investment Justification over the past few years. The left column of this webpage provides guidance for every section of the Investment Justification. You can draft your Investment Justification based on the 2014 version and make any changes, if necessary, when and if there is another round of grants.
      4. We thank all of those at NY DHSES who worked so hard to make this happen: Shelley Wahrlich, Marianne Lindsay and Dov Horwitz.

Nonprofit Homeland Security Grants results

July 29, 2014

Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Over $2.1 Million To Improve Emergency Preparedness For Religious Institutions & Organizations In-And-Around NYC; Grants Awarded To 30 At-Risk Jewish Schools & Congregations

Schumer and Gillibrand Secured Funding For Organizations Based in New York – Out of the Total $13 Million Granted to Awardees Across the Country
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that 30 New York Jewish organizations, including schools and congregations, and more have received a combined total of $2,188,517 for the 2014 fiscal year as Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Awardees. The program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), awards federal funds to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a national terrorist attack to encourage preparedness efforts.

“Religious schools and congregations have been previously targeted for attacks and that’s why FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program is critical in making sure that high-risk organizations are safe and protected from terrorist attacks,” said Schumer. “It is especially important for organizations in and around New York City to receive this federal funding, which will go a long way to ensure that they are fully prepared for whatever may happen in the future.”

“These federal dollars will arm our non-profits with the resources they need to guard us from attacks and keep us safe,” Gillibrand said. “No New Yorker, or American, should ever have to live and worship in fear of being targeted because of who they are or what they believe. Federal funding will help equip New York City’s places of worship, schools, and community gatherings with the tools needed to protect New York families.”

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is run under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). Only eligible nonprofit organizations, as described by the 501(c)(3) tax code of 1986, may apply for this grant. To be eligible, the nonprofit must be at high risk for an international terrorist attack and must be located in one of the designated urban areas throughout the country.

The 30 Jewish organizations that received funding from the New York City area are: the Hebrew Institute of University Heights DBA Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Park East Synagogue, Chabad Lubavitch of the Upper East Side, Shaare Zion Congregation Inc, Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, Mesivta Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Khal Ichud Chasidim, Bnos Square of Williamsburg, Solomon Schechter School of Westchester, Young Israel of White Plains, Trustees of the Congregation Shearith Israel, Rabbinical Academy Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin, The Center for Jewish Life, Yeshiva of Brooklyn , Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Congregation Machna Shalva, Gan Yisroel, Riverdale Jewish Center, Sephardic Community Center, Yeshivat Darche Eres, Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, Temple Beth El, Yeshiva Ahavas Torah, Congregation B’nai Israel, Congregation Ohel Chabad Lubavitch, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Be’er HaGolah Institutes, Westchester Day School, Ach Tov V’Chesed, and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center.

Final push: Nonprofit Security Grants

May 07, 2014

In New York, Nonprofit Security Grant Program application packages are due by midnight, Friday, May 9th.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I have to do? Use JCRC’s Checklist (download here) to double check yourself.  Remember, there are three separate sets of submissions:
    • Grants Gateway. Your document must be approved and your status report reflecting your approval must be downloaded.
    • Investment Justification. The Excel spreadsheet that is the critical part of the application. (When you open the spreadsheet remember to pay attention to the yellow bars at the top of the page, clicking on “Enable Editing” and “Enable Content”. MAC users, we don’t have a good answer on how to make this work on a MAC. Our advice: borrow a PC.
    • E-Grants. The administrative software used to upload your information and documents into the system.
  • Why should I use the Scoring Worksheet? This is a transparent process. This is the form that the judges use to score your application. There are 40 possible points (plus a bonus for organizations that have never received a grant) and the trick is to “thoroughly” answer every question.
  • You’ve seen a lot of submissions, what do people miss or get wrong?
    • Risk. The section has three elements, each worth 4 of the 40 point total. Many applicants smoosh them together. Threat includes the generalized threats to Jewish institutions (relating that to your institution); incidents, including plots, graffiti, bomb threats, letters, to your institution; and any conclusion from your risk assessment (e.g., This building is determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack due …). Vulnerability includes the laundry list of shortcomings that need improvement. These can be physical, procedural or training gaps, e.g., ill-fitting doors and windows, lack of an access control policy. Consequences covers both destruction of your facility and/or the injury or death of your people. There are direct and indirect consequences. Think this through for a thorough answer.
    • Target hardening. The question has three parts. For every activity (e.g., installation of new doors, training) you have to describe the activity, how the activity will mitigate a specific vulnerability listed in the Risk section, the Authorized Equipment List code for the activity, and the basic cost of the activity. Make sure that you tell the judges how the activity will prevent or protect against a terrorist attack.
  • Milestones. If you do everything right you probably won’t be able to start until January 1, 2015, because you need to have a signed contract. Most people have projects that require multiple activities. For example, doors and windows are usually special order items, which may take months to fabricate. You can’t complete the installation of an alarm system until the doors and windows are installed. Your milestones should reflect the differences between different activities and how they interrelate. Also, make this your own. For example, you should be giving progress reports to your board. Include that as a milestone.
  • Project Management. People spend a lot of time on the qualifications of their staff, but they miss the governance element. How will your board supervise this major project? For example, you should have a building or security committee, what is their role? Are you using DHSES, police, JCRC or others as subject matter experts? How will do you relate with DHSES?
  • Impact. Much is the answer is a rerun of the Target Hardening section, but make sure to relate it to the Coal Core Capabilities. See our post here.
  • Bonus. If you’ve never received a grant, make sure that you fill in this section for a bonus point.
  • Attachments. People have pressed “submit” in E-grants without attaching the required documents: Mission Statement, Vendor Responsibility Form, Investment Justification, Grants Gateway Status Report, and Risk/Vulnerability Assessment. This might disqualify your submission. Use the checklist.

NY Nonprofit Security Grant applications will be due May 9th

March 27, 2014
  1. Due date. The application package for New York nonprofits will be due May 9th. DHS should announce the results at the end of July.
  2. Webinar. The JCRC-NY Webinar (with conjunction with DHSES and the New York State Grants Gateway) is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd at 2 PM. Space is limited so registrations are required. Click here to RSVP.
  3. NY application package. The New York materials will be available at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/nonprofit.cfm when they are approved (they are not available yet).
  4. Prequalification. The big change this year is that New York nonprofits must pre-qualify (see below), which may take several weeks (see here).
  5. Audit requirement. There has been a change in Audit Requirement – Entities that are exempt by Executive Law § 172-a from submitting financial disclosure materials to the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau (such as religious organizations involved in exclusively non-secular activities) should, regardless of their annual revenue, provide their most recent internal financial report reviewed by their board. This is the same financial disclosure requirement for prequalification that applies to organizations with revenues of less than $100,000. If you have any questions about prequalification, please go to the Grants Reform website at http://www.grantsreform.ny.gov/Grantees or contact DHSES at 1-866-837-9133.
  6. Investment Justification. Don’t wait for the NY application to be posted. Organizations should assemble the materials for their Investment Justification (get the 2014 Investment Justification template and guidance at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants).
  7. New attachments required. This year, NY organizations will have to attach their mission statements and risk assessments in the E-Grant system.
  8. Federal guidance. The DHS materials are available here. Remember: The “applicants” referred to in the documents on this page are the state agencies and all organizations are bound by the requirements of and dates set by their local administering agency (in NY DHSES).

Get started now!

April 3 | Webinar on the NY Nonprofit Security Grant applications

March 26, 2014

Thursday, April 3, 2014
2:00 – 3:30 PM

The 2014 Nonprofit Security Grant application package will soon be available in New York. Join in a webinar, introduced by NY DHSES Commissioner Jerome Hauer. DHSES Program Representative Valerie Bloomer will discuss this year’s changes in the process (including pre-qualification) and the JCRC-NY’s David Pollock will talk about filling out the Investment Justification.

Reservations are required, space is limited. Click here to RSVP.

Join the meeting: https://join.me/jcrcnewyork

On a computer, use any browser with Flash. Nothing to download.
On a phone or tablet, launch the join.me app and enter meeting code: jcrcnewyork

Join the audio conference: 
Dial a phone number and enter access code, or connect via internet.

By phone: 
United States   +1.213.226.1066
Access Code   703-292-198#

By computer via internet: 

Join the meeting, click the phone icon and select ‘Call via internet’. A small download might be required.

Links for the presentations and all of the materials mentioned during the webinar will be available at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.