Sec. 7. Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund
1,233 words·~6 min read·
/bill/119/s/3628/is/section-7A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section, the term eligible entity means— a State or local government agency; an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or a nonprofit organization, including a public or nonprofit provider of services The term major disaster means a disaster that the President has declared is a major disaster or emergency under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 , 5191). There is established in the general fund of the Treasury an account, to be known as the Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund .
The Fund shall be administered by the Secretary, in accordance with this section, to rapidly respond to the immediate human services needs resulting when— a public health emergency or major disaster has been declared; or the Secretary determines there is significant potential for a major disaster or public health emergency. Amounts available in the Fund shall remain available until expended. The Secretary may use amounts in the Fund to— facilitate coordination between and among— Federal, State (including territorial), Tribal, and local entities; and public and private human services entities that the Secretary determines— may be affected by a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or public health emergency; and serve at-risk individuals; make grants or awards to, or enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, eligible entities for projects that provide human services to at-risk individuals impacted by a major disaster or public health emergency, or prevent impacts from a potential major disaster or public health emergency, including through peer-to-peer support and person-centered case management services to address the needs of disaster survivors from preparedness and response through recovery, in accordance with subsection (c); carry out activities of the Department that support the provision of the services described in subparagraph
(B)to at-risk individuals, including— the costs of necessary staff salaries and expenses and other administrative expenses, including information technology; and preparation costs that are not readily attributable to a single major disaster or public health emergency; and carry out other activities, as the Secretary determines applicable and appropriate, to address the needs of at-risk individuals during public health emergencies, major disasters, and potential public health emergencies and major disasters. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. In making grants or awards to, or entering into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities using amounts in the Fund, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that, directly or through a contractual arrangement, will— provide accessible human services to at-risk individuals and communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of a potential major disaster or public health emergency; provide accessible human services to at-risk individuals impacted by a major disaster or public health emergency; and restore human services agency functions that were diminished or lost due to a disaster or public health emergency. The Secretary shall plan and take such steps as are necessary to enable the Secretary to expedite the delivery of funds under this section to appropriate agencies and entities that support at-risk individuals due to a major disaster, public health emergency, or a potential major disaster or public health emergency. An eligible entity receiving a grant or award, or entering into a contract or cooperative agreement, under this subsection shall carry out 1 or more of the following activities: Case management assistance for at-risk individuals, including— providing disaster-related application assistance, including— eligibility pre-screening; assistance completing an application for disaster-related assistance; translation services for such application; and ensuring that applications for disaster-related assistance are accessible; providing person-centered case management services to address the needs of disaster survivors from response through recovery; or providing other case management services and activities approved by the Secretary that address the human and social service needs of the impacted population. Targeted efforts to support community living options for at-risk individuals before, during, and after a disaster or emergency, including— providing services and engaging in activities to prevent individuals from entering or relocating to institutional settings; identifying individuals who have been relocated to acute care and institutional settings because of a major disaster or public health emergency; providing services for individuals who were relocated to acute care and institutional settings because of a disaster or public health emergency and engaging in activities to return such individuals to a home or a community-based setting; coordinating among emergency management services and human services providers to ensure the accessibility of emergency responses, including the establishment of accessible emergency shelters; providing legal assistance to support at-risk individuals in their recovery from a major disaster or public health emergency; engaging in activities that improve accessibility of disaster recovery and response efforts for at-risk individuals, including by providing accessible information and communications; replacing, repairing, or acquiring equipment, materials, or supplies to support community living, including such items that were lost or damaged due to a disaster or emergency; or providing other disaster relief or public health emergency services approved by the Secretary that address the human and social service needs of the population impacted by the major disaster or public health emergency. Accessible home and community-based services and supports for at-risk individuals in connection with a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or emergency, including— providing accessible transportation services to support at-risk individuals before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency in obtaining necessary supports and services; providing accessible and tailored nutritional services during a major disaster, public health emergency, or potential major disaster or public health emergency; providing accessible housing before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency; providing trauma-informed counseling and support before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency; providing personal care before, during, and after a major disaster or public health emergency; supporting at-risk individuals in accessing durable medical equipment or other equipment; or other major disaster relief and public health emergency services approved by the Secretary that address the human service and social service needs of the impacted population of at-risk individuals. Each eligible entity receiving a grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall participate in data collection and reporting, as required by this subsection and other law and in the manner required by the Secretary. Each eligible entity shall reserve not less than 5 percent and not more than 10 percent of the total award amount for an independent, third‑party evaluation of the activities carried out with funds made available under this subsection. An evaluation described in clause
(i)shall be conducted by an individual or organization that— is independent of the recipient entity; and possesses demonstrated expertise in program evaluation, cost‑benefit analysis, and community‑based human services delivery. The evaluation shall, at a minimum— measure the program outputs and outcomes of the activities supported under the grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement, including the ability of varying groups of at‑risk individuals to access services; quantify the cost savings or cost avoidance attributable to such activities; and assess the community impact of the activities and the sustainability of the activities when the grant, award, contract, or cooperative agreement ends. The recipient shall submit the final evaluation report to the Secretary not later than 90 days after the end of the project period. The Secretary shall make evaluation reports received under clause
(iv)publicly available in an accessible format within 60 days of receipt.
Connectionstraces to 1
Traces to 1 document
U.S. Code
Citation graph
cites case law
Sec. 7
Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund
Cites 1Cited by 0 across 0 sources