DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Opportunities to Enhance Implementation of the Redesigned Public Assistance Grant ProgramGAO is making five recommendations, including that FEMA assess the workforce needed for the new delivery model and improve key IT management controls for its new information sharing and case management system, FAC-Trax. DHS concurred with all recommendations.GAO was asked to assess the redesigned PA program. This report examines, among other things, the extent to which FEMA's new delivery model addresses (1) past workforce management challenges and assesses future workforce needs; and (2) past information sharing challenges and key IT management controls. GAO reviewed FEMA policy, strategy, and implementation documents; interviewed FEMA and state officials, PA program applicants, and other stakeholders; and observed implementation of the new model at one test location following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. United States Government Accountability OfficeGAO_c090eb6a-92df-11df-b499-6b157a64ea2aFederal Emergency Management AgencyFEMA, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has obligated more than $36 billion in PA grants to state, local, and tribal governments to help communities recover and rebuild after major disasters since 2009. Further, costs are rising with disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. FEMA recently redesigned how the PA program delivers assistance to state and local grantees to improve operations and address past challenges identified by GAO and others. FEMA tested the new delivery model in selected disasters and announced implementation in September 2017. Chris P. CurrieDirector, Homeland Security and JusticeDepartment of Homeland SecurityCongressional RequestersThe Honorable Ron JohnsonChairman, Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States SenateThe Honorable Claire McCaskillRanking Member, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States SenateThe Honorable Thomas R. CarperRanking Member, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States SenateThe Honorable Bill ShusterChairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of RepresentativesThe Honorable Peter DeFazioRanking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives_ff59d808-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3cTo enhance implementation of the redesigned public assistance grant program_ff59d9b6-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3cStaffingIdentify the appropriate number of staff needed._ff59da88-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c1FEMA Assistant Administrator for RecoveryFEMA Consolidated Resource CentersFederal Insurance & Mitigation AdministrationThe FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery should complete a workforce staffing assessment that identifies the appropriate number of staff needed at joint field offices, Consolidated Resource Centers, and in FIMA's hazard mitigation cadre to implement the new delivery model nationwide._ff59db46-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3cFAC-Trax CapabilitiesEstablish controls for tracking FEMA Applicant Case Tracker capabilities._ff59dc04-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c2FEMA Assistant Administrator for RecoveryThe FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery should establish controls for tracking FAC-Trax capabilities to the system's functional and operational requirements to more fully satisfy requirements development controls and ensure that the new information system provides capabilities that meets users' needs and expectations._ff59dcb8-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3cSystem TestingEstablish system testing criteria._ff59dd6c-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c3The FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery should establish system testing criteria, such as a "definition of done," to assess FACTrax as it is developed; define the roles and responsibilities of all participants; and develop the sequence and schedule for integration of other systems with FAC-Trax to more fully satisfy systems testing and integration controls.AssessmentAssess FACTrax as it is developed._ff59de20-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c3.1Roles & ResponsibilitiesDefine the roles and responsibilities of all participants._ff59dee8-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c3.1System IntegrationDevelop the sequence and schedule for integration of other systems_ff59df9c-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c3.2PlanningStandardize planning for addressing PA hazard mitigation at the joint field offices._ff59e064-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c4FEMA Assistant Administrator for RecoveryFEMA Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation AdministrationState OfficialThe FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery, in coordination with the Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, should implement procedures to standardize planning for addressing PA hazard mitigation at the joint field offices, for example, by requiring FEMA and state officials to develop a memorandum of understanding outlining how they will prioritize and address hazard mitigation following a disaster as it did through prior policy. PrioritizationOutline how to prioritize and address hazard mitigation following a disaster._ff59e118-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c4.1Objectives & Performance MetricsDevelop performance measures and associated objectives for the new delivery model to better align with FEMA's strategic goal for hazard mitigation._ff59e1cc-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c5FEMA Assistant Administrator for RecoveryFEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation AdministrationThe FEMA Assistant Administrator for Recovery, in coordination with the Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, should develop performance measures and associated objectives for the new delivery model to better align with FEMA's strategic goal for hazard mitigation in the recovery process. _ff59e29e-f947-11e7-b88d-2cbef6215f3c2017-11-302018-01-14https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/688213.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net