U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Intergovernmental Affairs
Please see the advisory below, and attached fact sheet, from our partners in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding an update on Crisis Counseling for COVID-19.
May 2, 2020
FEMA Advisory
FEMA Administrator Authority to Approve Crisis Counseling
Attached is a FEMA Fact Sheet on FEMA Administrator’s authority to approve crisis counseling. To help meet the needs of the American people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, President Trump delegated authority to the FEMA Administrator to approve requests for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training program, or Crisis Counseling program.
COVID-19 is an unprecedented and continuously evolving public health crisis. Delegation of authority to approve the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training program to the FEMA Administrator is intended to speed assistance to those in need. Should this policy be amended, FEMA’s Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division will update all stakeholders.
FEMA Crisis Counseling program helps people and communities to recover from the effects of natural or man-made disasters through short-term interventions that provide emotional support, crisis counseling, and connection to familial and community support systems. Five states – Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington – have previously been approved for the Crisis Counseling program. Requests from other states, tribes, and territories are under review.
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Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor on Twitter @FEMA_Pete.
FEMA Mission
To help people before, during, and after disasters.