It is hard to imagine a federal government agency that has been more ridiculed over the past two years than the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, as it is more commonly known. As part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA has been and continues to be closely scrutinized for its role in the post-Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans in August 2005.
While the public perception and perhaps even the name itself lends to the belief that FEMA only jumps into action when there are national disasters or emergencies, the agency actually is involved in numerous other efforts, one of which provides aid and support to the County of San Diego and has done so now for 25 years. This assistance also extends all over the country.
A total of just over $151 million for 2007 has been made available by Congress for the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFS) to support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties throughout the country. Of that amount, $18.9 million has been awarded to California, with just over $1.3 million being allocated to the County of San Diego.
“The amount given to San Diego represents an increase of about $120,000 over last year’s total,” said Sharon Bailey of FEMA, and one of the EFS directors, via telephone from her Washington, D.C., office. “The dollars given is determined by a formula based primarily on unemployment figures over a 12-month period.”
How then, are these funds distributed within the County of San Diego, and to whom?
According to Sister RayMonda Duvall, executive director of Catholic Charities in San Diego, which initially receives the entire amount prior to distribution, the county has perhaps the most efficient approach to making sure those who need the assistance will receive it.
“We are one of just a few communities in the entire country in which all the money is given to one agency who then works with other agencies to determine the allocation,” she said. “It is a process which has worked incredibly well for 25 years.”
What this prevents is 50 different agencies all maneuvering with the federal government, independent of one another, for the dollars ” which of course has the potential for one agency trying to sabotage the funding efforts of another offering similar services.
To alleviate any fears that Catholic Charities has a monopoly on the money to the exclusion of other agencies or groups that may have different political and social priorities, Duvall is quick to explain they are merely an initial “holding tank” for the money. Catholic Charities is neither the sole beneficiary of the funds, nor is it the only one deciding how the funds are distributed.
“FEMA requires there be a local board to administer the funds which mirrors the national board,” she said. “We try to make it a community effort so no one area of the county feels they are forgotten.”
Other members of the board include, but are not limited to, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, United Way of America, National Council of the Churches of Christ and United Jewish Communities.
Even more than a diversified board, Duvall believes there is one key factor that stands above everything else in making sure the people who need the money receive it.
“With only an occasional exception, nobody gets any money in this endeavor,” she stated. “It has more to do with products and services needed by the agencies. For example, a shelter gets assistance for providing shelter. Their funds go for supplies, not to pay a salary.”
As the EFS program stands in part for “food and shelter,” agencies dealing with those areas receive the funds. This can mean support for rent and mortgage assistance, shelters, supplemental food programs in which food is received from a variety of sources and congregate food programs which are for mass feeding efforts.
According to Duvall, the cooperation is extended even further between agencies offering similar benefits.
“The people who operate food pantries all get together and determine what food is going to be ordered,” she noted. “If they all want tuna fish, it is much more cost-effective to put in one order for everyone.”
Think of it like the first time you shared an apartment with some friends. Everyone quickly realizes money can be saved if you all agree to purchase one brand of milk in a large container rather than each person going shopping for their own brand.
As with almost every assistance program, proper paperwork is required in order to receive funds. In addition, priority is given to already existing agencies and programs versus, as an example, a group of people who decide to start a new food bank.
None of the local board representatives is compensated for his or her work in determining the distribution of the money. Another example Duvall believes speaks to the success of this joint venture.
“For 25 years, the agencies have cooperated for the benefit of the community in distributing the goods and services,” she said. “This method has guaranteed more of the people who have the need are provided the assistance.”