The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) recently began accepting applications for the second and final round of funding under the Recovery Act for broadband grants under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2010 at 5 p.m. ET.

The application package for electronic submissions is available here: http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

Both RUS and NTIA have posted the latest version of their separate Round 2 Frequently Asked Questions for BIP and BTOP here:
http://www.broadbandusa.gov/files/NOFA2%20FAQs%2002-16-10.pdf
http://www.broadbandusa.gov/files/BIPRound2FAQsUpdated02182010.pdf

This webinar will update recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants from the Federal Transit Administration on ARRA accomplishments over the past year. The webinar will also discuss new guidance and oversight plans, and include a presentation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on fraud and awareness. A brief question and answer session will follow the presentations

For more information, check the FTA ARRA website: 

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=19774

Thursday, January 28, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies will hold an oversight hearing to examine the Department of Commerce's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program funded by the Recovery Act.  The hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. in room 192 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

On January 15, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, which manages the Recovery.gov website and oversees spending under the Recovery Act, announced that the second reporting period has been extended from January 15 to midnight P.S.T. on January 22, 2010. However, Recovery Act funding recipients who submit their reports after January 15 will have those reports classified as late.

A reminder that you must report if:

• You reported in October, 2009, and the Recovery Act project is not complete.
• You reported in October, 2009, and the project was completed after October 30, 2009.
• You reported in October, 2009, on a federal contract, grant, or loan award under the Recovery Act and have still not received the funds.

Returning reporters will have the option to "copy forward" their first report, so that only certain fields will need to be updated.

The recipient comment period has been extended to January 23, with federal agency review now occurring from January 24 to 29.

Additional information about recipient reporting is available here:
http://www.recovery.gov/FAQ/recipient/Pages/Recipient_Reporting.aspx

A reminder that you must report if:

• You reported in October, 2009, and the Recovery Act project is not complete.
• You reported in October, 2009, and the project was completed after October 30, 2009.
• You reported in October, 2009, on a federal contract, grant, or loan award under the Recovery Act and have still not received the funds.

Returning reporters will have the option to "copy forward" their first report, so that only certain fields will need to be updated. 

Additional information about recipient reporting is available here:
http://www.recovery.gov/FAQ/recipient/Pages/Recipient_Reporting.aspx

Deadline for submission of applications to the Department of the Interior for the first $200 million allocation of the Tax Credit Bonding Authority under the Recovery Act for the purpose of the construction, rehabilitation and repair of schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

10 a.m., room 485
Russell Senate Office Building

Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to hold hearing to examine the Recovery Act for small businesses, focusing on what is working and what may come next.

• who is receiving Recovery Act dollars,
• the amount awarded,
• the amount expended since the enactment of the Recovery Act (2/17/09),
• description of the pro   jects or activities being funded and their completion status,
• estimates of project job creation and job retention impact, and
• details on sub-awards and other payments.

A help desk, which recipients can call with questions about the FederalReporting.gov registration and Recovery Act reporting requirements, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The help desk toll-free number is 877/508-7386.

If your tribe or tribal organization has been given an award of $25,000 or more under the Recovery Act, you must enroll in the reporting process mandated by the Recovery Act by registering with FederalReporting.gov. Registration closes September 30^th.

This Friday, August 21^st, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will conduct a workshop for tribes and other grantees about HUD electronic reporting, including Recovery Act reporting requirements. To register for this workshop, go to

http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction+emar.registerEvent&eventId=184&update=N

Registration at www.FederalReporting.gov will open 12:01 A.M. on August 17^th for Recovery Act funding recipients to enroll as the first step in the reporting process mandated by the Recovery Act.   For recipients who already have a Central Contractor Registration number and a DUNS number, this simple registration should take approximately five minutes. The August 17^th date is for registration, only. The Federal Reporting Service Desk offering technical support will also begin operation on that date.

If you need a DUNS number, visit this site:

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

To register in theCentral Contractor Registration, click here:http://www.ccr.gov.

Registration at www.FederalReporting.gov will continue through September 30, with reporting officially beginning on October 1 through October 10.

This Federal Reporting website has been created to collect all the data about which recipients will report on the expenditure of the funds received under the Recovery Act between October 1 and October 10.

Prime Recipients or users from entities that receive Recovery Act awards (federally awarded contracts, grants, loans) directly from a federal agency must register to submit the reports required under the Recovery Act. Prime Recipients must also track and monitor reporting that has been delegated to their Sub Recipients.

Sub Recipients or users from entities that receive Recovery Act awards from Prime Recipients and that have been delegated to report on Recovery Act projects by the Prime Recipient must also register.

FederalReporting.gov will allow three basic methods for submitting reports:

• Online data entry in the Web browser
• Excel spreadsheet
• Custom software system extract in XML

More information will be provided at FederalReporting.gov

NOTE:  If your tribe or tribal organization has not yet been given an award under the Recovery Act, you do not have to report in this first reporting period.

The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA), in the Department of Commerce, and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), in the Department of Agriculture, are receiving applications for the first round of Recovery Act funding under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP). The application deadline for the first round of funding under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the Broadband Initiatives Program is August 14^th.

The application deadline for pending electronic applications for the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) has been extended until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 20^th for any electronic application pending in the online application system, Easygrants System, as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 14^th. The extension for electronic applications is due to service delays because of the volume of applications being submitted for these programs. August 14^th is still the filing deadline for paper applications.

Applicants may find useful recently-prepared documents of Frequently Asked Questions about BTOP and BIP, which are available here:

http://www.broadbandusa.gov/faq.htm

The RUS application guide for the Broadband Initiatives Program is available here:

http://www.broadbandusa.gov/files/BIP%20Application%20Guide%20-%20FINAL%20071009%201500.pdf

Grant guidelines for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program are available here:

http://www.broadbandusa.gov/files/BTOP%20Grant%20Guidelines%20v2_0%20July%2031.pdf

PowerPoint presentations made by NTIA and RUS at a series of public workshops held around the country during July about these broadband funding opportunities and the application process are available here:

http://www.broadbandusa.gov/workshop.htm

Additional information is available at http://www.broadbandusa.gov.

Announcements of funding awards are expected to begin this November. The agencies anticipate that there will be two additional Notices of Funds Availability under the BTOP and BIP, and that NTIA and RUS will conduct additional public workshops to assist applicants.

RAPID CITY and PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA

JULY 27-29, 2009

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI), and its outreach for developing a national broadband plan, will hold its eighth regional workshop and roundtable in Rapid City and Pine Ridge, South Dakota from July 27-29, 2009 (ITI South Dakota). Please see http://www.fcc.gov/indians/ for more information including a draft agenda.

The gathering will feature a keynote address by FCC Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps. This multi-faceted workshop and roundtable will focus on ways to expand the deployment of new broadband technologies in Indian Country. Representing another important building block for a national broadband plan, ITI South Dakota will feature opportunities for FCC staff to interact with tribal officials, staff from other government agencies, as well as tribal citizens, and hear about issues and challenges faced by tribes in securing and expanding broadband access in tribal communities.

The program is being run in cooperation with the National Tribal Telecommunications Association (NTTA), Native Public Media (NPM), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT), Oglala Sioux Tribe, South Dakota, Office of Tribal Government Relations, and The Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association.

Thusday, July 23, 2009

2pm - 3:30pm EASTERN

Call-in #: (866) 379-3045
Conference ID #: 19891170
Click here to Join the Meeting.

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently extended the application deadline for applications for Recovery Act funding under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The new application date - including the deadline for applications from tribal governments for more than $54 million in formula grants set aside for Indian tribes - is August 10.

For additional EECBG information, go to this website: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/

For additional analysis, please go to:

http://www.indiancountryworks.org/EnergyEfficiencyBlockGrants.cfm

http://www.indiancountryworks.org/news.cfm?view=display&aid=143

Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps:

1. Copy this address and paste it into your web browser:
   https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/ncai/join
2. Copy and paste the required information:
   Meeting ID: HJCRN6
   Entry Code: pC:d4;F
   Location: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/ncai
   

If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support

Notice
Microsoft Office Live Meeting can be used to record meetings. By participating in this meeting, you agree that your communications may be monitored or recorded at any time during the meeting.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Recovery, Accountability and Transparency Board announce that webinars will be held the week of July 20,2009 to provide information on implementing the guidance set forth in OMB Memorandum M-09-21, Implementing Guidance for the Reports on Use of Funds Pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that was released on June 22, 2009.

Each webinar will focus on a major section of the Guidance as well as on the technology solution. The intended audience for these webinars includes Federal agency personnel, prime recipients and sub-recipients.

Follow this link for more information and registration: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/658

Upcoming Funding Deadline June 25, 2009

On Tuesday, June 12 from 3pm to 4:30pm ET, the Department of Energy will host a webinar on EECBG Planning and Strategy Development for Tribes.  Click Here to see full program alert. You must register for this webinar in advance.

http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/solutioncenter/webcasts/default.html

There are $54,836,200 in formula grants for eligible Indian tribes.  EECBG tribal funding allocations can be found as an attachment to the Funding Announcement. (make this a link to the funding announcement)  The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible entities in creating and implementing strategies to:

• reduce fossil fuel emissions in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and, to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
• reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
• improve energy efficiency in the building sector, the transportation sector, and other appropriate sectors.

The Department of Energy strongly encourages tribes to contact them with any concerns and questions.  The website is at http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/

Please note the following important information to submit an application for this funding:

Applicants must obtain a DUNS number. It may take up to 21 days to get a DUNS number. DUNS website: http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/

Applicants must register with the CCR. CCR website: http://www.ccr.gov/

Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit their application. FedConnect website: www.fedconnect.net

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host a series of online technical assistance webcasts to provide information on the nine programs for which HUD received funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The webcast on the Indian Housing Block Grant Formula, Indian Housing Block Grant Competition and the Indian Community Development Block Grant Competition will take place on Thursday, June 11, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET. The agenda of the Native American Programs webcast will include an overview of HUD Recovery Act efforts, discussion and technical assistance on the three programs, and questions and answers.

For details, go to the following link: http://www.hud.gov/webcasts/recovery/schedule.cfm

6th Annual "Construction in Indian Country" Conference
May 19-20, 2009
Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino
Fort McDowell, Arizona

http://construction.asu.edu/ciic/ciic_conference/

Get exclusive information and details on the approximately $2.5 billion in economic stimulus funding that will be made available to Indian Country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Also the latest on BIA prioroty list projects and President Obama's Administration Priorities for Indian Country.

Highlighted Speakers Include:

Keith Harper, The Obama-Biden Transition Team
Jack Rever, DOI Bureau on Indian Affairs
Rodger Boyd, U.S. Department of Housing
Aneva Yazzie, National American Indian Housing Council and much more!

Registration Fee and Lodging

The registration fees include access to the conference, exhibitors, conference materials as well as continental breakfast and lunch both days.

To receive the special discounted room rate of $96 per night (current government per diem rates), you must refer to “ASU’s Construction in Indian Country Conference” when making reservations.  Reservations must be made by May 8, 2009 to get the preferred rate.

Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino

With a prime desert resort location at the eastern edge of Scottsdale, the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino offers the kind of warm hospitality, inviting atmosphere and professional service sure to please business and leisure travelers alike.

10438 North Fort McDowell Casino Road, Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, Arizona 85264

(888) 201-1718 U.S. Toll Free or (480) 789-5300 direct

http://www.radisson.com/ftmcdowellaz

The Department of Energy (DOE) is launching a Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program webinar and conference call series this week.  The series will cover a range of topics for states, cities, counties, and tribes as they move through each stage of the EECBG program – from preparation of the application and strategy to implementation to reporting and evaluation. 

For TRIBES, a EECBG Planning and Strategy Development webcast will take place on Monday, May 18th, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET.

For the most up-to-date information regarding the DOE webcast events and to register for the series, visit the EECBG website at http://www.eecbg.energy.gov.

EECBG Program Alert, May 12, 2009 (.pdf)

The Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will have a webcast on the performance and reporting requirements under the Recovery Act for funding for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control, Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration, Healthy Homes Demonstration, and Healthy Homes Technical Studies grants. Recovery funding for these grant programs is being limited to those applicants under HUD’s FY 2008 Notice of Funding Availability that were qualified for award, but were not funded due to limitations of funds.

Additional information on this webcast is available at http://www.hud.gov/webcasts/recovery.cfm

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EASTERN
Call-In #: (866) 379-3045
Conference ID #: 99587342
CLICK HERE to join the meeting

NCAI is joining with the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA to conduct a webinar on the Food and Nutrition provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. USDA’s 15 nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of 1 in every 5 Americans including Native people, with programs designed to work together creating a national nutrition safety net. USDA programs reach people at every stage of life- from infants benefiting from WIC, to older adults stretching fixed incomes with SNAP. The Federal Government has an important role to play in ensuring that all who are eligible know about and can access these programs with dignity and respect.  Tribes are eligible for all of these USDA programs. The ARRA includes funding for five of the 15 USDA programs including WIC and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.  Duke Storen, Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach, Food and Nutrition Service, will participate in a webinar highlighting key Federal nutrition programs and how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 positively impacts Native communities. To learn more about the Food and Nutrition Service programs receiving ARRA funding, please click here:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/recovery/default.htm

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EASTERN
CLICK HERE for additional webcast information

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will hold a webcast on Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) Recovery funds. This webcast will inform CDBG grantees of the application process and deadlines associated with CDBG Recovery (CDBG-R) funds. It will also discuss project selection, prudent spending criteria and identify the reporting requirements that accompany CDBG-R funding.

The Recovery Act appropriated $1 billion for the CDBG program, of which $10 million is being allocated to the Indian CDBG program. The Indian set-aside within the overall Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program allows Indian tribes to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide decent affordable housing and create economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income. Eligible recipients are grantees that received ICDBG entitlement funding in FY 2008.

The Obama Administration will be releasing the details on the FY2010 Federal budget. Please join senior Administration officials for the following briefing conference calls tomorrow, Thursday, May 7. These calls will be roughly 45 minutes long and provide for you an opportunity to hear first hand from Administration experts about the issue at hand. There will be a brief Q and A and the end of the call.

• Health Care/Domestic AIDS: THURSDAY, 9 AM EST

  • Tina Tchen, Keith Fontenont, Jeff Crowley, Zeke Emanuel  
  • Call-in (800) 288-8976, “HIV/AIDS Budget Call”

• Faith: THURSDAY, 12:00 PM EST or 5 PM EST

  • Melody Barnes, Joshua Dubois and Tina Tchen
  • Call-in: TBD

• Education: THURSDAY, 1:30 PM EST

  • Roberto Rodriguez and Robert Gordon
  • Call-in: (800) 288-8974, “Education Budget Call”

• Housing & Homelessness: THURSDAY, 2:30 PM EST

  • Xavier Briggs and Derek Douglas
  • Call-in: (877) 209-0397,“Housing and Homelessness Call”

• Agriculture: THURSDAY, 4:00 PM EST

  • Agency and/or OMB briefer TBD
  • Call-in: (800) 288-8961, “Agriculture/Rural Development Call”

• Energy -- TBD

  • Time TBD (Friday)

Thursday, April 30, 2009 2pm – 3:30pm

Call-In #: (866) 379 – 3045
Conference ID #: 97291361
(To hear the webinar audio, you must dial into the above teleconference. Audio will not be streamed live over the internet.)

Webinar: Join the meeting.
(Slides for the meeting will also be posted on the NCAI Economic Stimulus website www.indiancountryworks.org/webinars.cfm as early as possible before the webinar.)

NCAI will host a teleconference on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provisions for which tribes are eligible.  The USDA was appropriated $28 billion (3.5 percent) of the package. The Act:

• Provides $19.7 billion to increase the monthly amount of nutrition assistance to 31.8 million people, including the Food Distribution Program for Indian Reservations and a special supplemental program for Women, Infants and Children,
• Enables expanded opportunities for broadband loans and grants to rural communities,
• Expands funding opportunities to develop water and waste facilities,
• Provides funding opportunities to develop rural community facilities, and
• Includes technology and environmental provisions among others.

Tribes with interests in the above areas are encouraged to participate in this informative teleconference with representatives of the USDA.

This Thursday morning, April 30, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on the Department of Transportation’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Subcommittee will receive testimony from Transportation Secretary LaHood and Inspector General Scovel.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (Chairman Murray)

Time and Location: Dirksen 138, 9:15 a.m.

Agenda: The Department of Transportation’s Implementation of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Witnesses: Panel 1: The Honorable Ray Lahood
Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Transportation

Panel 2: The Honorable Calvin L Scovel III
Inspector General, U.S. Dept. of Transportation

Available for download at http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_04_24_Hearing_Schedule_for_Week_of_April_27.pdf

Wednesday, April 29, 2:00 - 3:30 pm EASTERN

Call-In #: (866) 379-3045

Passcode: 96292623

To join the webinar, click here: Join the Meeting

Over the past nine weeks since the Recovery Act was signed, NCAI has provided a series of webinars and teleconferences on specific provisions of the Act. Now is the time to provide a periodic update on the overall status of the government activities, provide an overview of NCAI resources, and to hear from tribes on your experiences.  This webinar will provide tribes and other interested persons the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and make recommendations for future webinars and teleconferences. Please join us for this opportunity.

10:00 a.m.
Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324

The House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold an oversight hearing on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Resources Division of the United States Geological Survey. The $1 billion in funding for Reclamation will be spent on several projects in Indian Country, including the Klamath River basin in Oregon, the Mni Wiconi rural water system in South Dakota, the Gila River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona, and Animas-LaPlata project in Colorado.

The hearing will examine the reasoning, methodology, and process used to identify which projects are slated to receive Recovery Act funds. The hearing will also highlight the current priorities for the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey, and explore how recovery money can be used to target some of the Nation’s most pressing water and power needs.

Subcommittee On Water And Power Oversight Hearing On The “American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Funds For The Bureau Of Reclamation And The Water Resources Division Of The United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Wednesday, April 22, 2pm to 3pm EASTERN

Call-In #:   (866) 379 – 3045

Conference ID # 96175619

To join the webinar, click here: Join the meeting.

If you have never participated in a Webinar and want to learn how, or if you want to use more of the capability of a webinar, this is for you. Webinars offer capabilities not available through a teleconference format, such as the ability to interact with the presenters, survey participants, share documents, chat with other participants, and ask questions of the presenters on line. Many people may be nervous to try the first time and want to get the experience without missing any program content.

Over the past two months, NCAI has offered a number of webinars on the Recovery Act. An increasing number of participants are joining both through the audio teleconference and online. NCAI wants to be sure that all who want to join online are able to so join us for this training webinar.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Training (optional one-day training)

April 21, 2009 (repeat session to be held on June 23, 2009)

This course will help tribal leaders and staff understand the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that exist within their communities. The course will focus on:

1. Determining community energy values and objectives
2. Developing the outline of a tribal strategic energy plan
3. Exploring how energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies can be used to help meet tribal objectives
4. Organizing for tribal community success.

Tribal  Energy Business Development and Project Financing  

April 22-23, 2009 (repeat session to be held on June 24-25, 2009 )  

This workshop is designed to identify the business structures, financing methods, and legal and institutional frameworks needed to help tribal leaders, tribal staff, and other interested parties understand the complexities of tribally owned energy projects and provide tools for tribal project development. The course will cover the following topics related to energ:

1. Good governance
2. Strategic planning
3. Business options and legal structures
4. Economic tools for project decision making
5. A step-by-step guide to developing energy projects
6. Federal policies and procedures for project development
7. Project financing alternatives
8. Technical assistance to tribes for project development.

Where

Renaissance Denver Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80207, USA
303-800-1314
www.denverrenaissance.com

Who Should Attend

• Tribal leaders and decision makers interested in economic development, job creation, and sustainable tribal communities

• Tribal economic development, planning, and natural resources staff responsible for strategic planning, project facilitation, project development, financing, and federal requirements

• Federal staff who assist tribes in all aspects of renewable energy project development and implementation

• Tribal entrepreneurs seeking to expand business activities into renewable energy and energy efficiency technology sales and implementation.

Cost

No registration fee is being charged, but advance registration is required to ensure adequate seating and availability of refreshments and food. Lunches will be provided. Travel and per diem are the individual's responsibility.

Registration

To register, please complete one of the following registration forms and return it to Victoria DeHerrera via e-mail (victoria.deherrera@go.doe.gov) or fax to 303-275-4788.

• April 2009 training (MS Word 50 KB)

• June 2009 training (MS Word 50 KB)

Thursday, April 16, 2009
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EASTERN
Call-in #: (866) 379-3045
Passcode: 95049483

NCAI will host a teleconference on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 2009 for which tribes are eligible. The Recovery Act provisions include up to $5 billion to help states, territories and tribes in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Federally recognized tribes currently operating a TANF program are eligible to apply for grants made available by the Recovery Act.

Tribal TANF programs are eligible to receive additional funding allocated through the Administration on Children & Families (ACF). ACF recently released a Policy Announcement and Program Instruction on accessing the Recovery Funds. CLICK HERE to see the specific announcement and instruction and CLICK HERE for more information from NCAI.

If your tribe is eligible to receive TANF Emergency Funding and you want to learn more about the Policy Announcement and Instruction, please join us in a conversation with representatives of the ACF.

The Tribal Technical Assistance Program of Colorado State University is hosting a national webinar Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. EASTERN on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provisions related to the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) Program. This 90 minute presentation will address the relevant ARRA provisions, fund distribution, project eligibility, and reporting requirements.

This event is free, but space is limited and you must pre-register. Please save your spot in this webinar by registering at the following link: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=16871.

Bob Sparrow, IRR Program Manager for Federal Lands Highway will lead this presentation. Mr. Sparrow has been a key part of the FHWA-FLH IRR team for several years, was one of the federal participants in the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee that created 25 CFR Part 170 and is part of the IRR Program Coordinating Committee. Mr. Sparrow is also a primary contact for tribes implementing direct contracts with FHWA to receive IRR funds.

The use of web conferences is a low cost and time efficient way to communicate and deliver information. The audio component is delivered via a toll free telephone line and visual component by logging onto a internet website. Participants can see the powerpoint slides on your computer screen, download documents, and ask questions. You can join in from any place where you have an internet connection and a telephone line/signal.

White House Conference Call Invitation

Tuesday, April 7, 2009
3:00 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. EASTERN
Participant: (866) 254-5934
Please note the access code is: 995373

The White House invites tribal leaders to participate in a conference call on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 3 – 4:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) to discuss the funding that is available to Tribes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act”) and how Tribes can access these stimulus dollars. 

This will be the second of two calls from the White House. Tribal leaders from around the country, and representatives from a number of federal agencies, will participate in the call.  The federal representatives will provide participating Tribes with a summary of which grants and funding are available from their respective agencies or departments. 

At the conclusion of the federal presentation, questions will be taken via email. Please send your questions to IGA@who.eop.gov.  On the first call last week, we had very high participation and now we must change to an email format to ensure maximum participation.  Please email your questions prior to the call, or during the call and we will take a few minutes at the end to read some of the questions for agencies to respond.  Below is the tentative agenda.

As a reminder, this is a call for community leaders and is closed to press. Email: media_affairs@who.eop.gov if you have press related inquiries. 

Conference Call Agenda

April 7, 2009 3:00 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

3:00            Welcome and Introduction                                 

3:02            ARRA and communication with lobbyists – Norman Eisen

3:05            Department of Agriculture – Lindsay Daschle

3:15            Department of Energy – Albert Petrasek

3:25            Environmental Protection Agency – Jeff Besougloff

3:35            Department of the Treasury – Chris James

3:45            Department of Labor – Evangeline Campbell

3:55            Question and Answer

Please let us know whether you will be participating in the conference call by responding to IGA@who.eop.gov.

Conference Call info for April 7, 2009 at 3 PM Eastern Standard Time

Teleconference Participant Dial-In Number: (866) 254-5934

NO PARTICIPATION CODE IS NEEDED.

We look forward to sharing this information with you and answering your questions.

Monday, April 6, at 3pm EASTERN

Call-in: (866) 379 – 3045
Conference ID # 93107949
Webinar: Join the meeting

The Department of Education will be conducting a briefing on ARRA implementation on Friday, April 3 from 9-11:15 am. The briefing will be conducted in the Barnard auditorium of the LBJ Department of Education building.

If you would like to attend, you must RSVP no later than COB Tuesday, March 31 to Karen.stratman-krusemark@ed.gov. The Department will be limiting each association to one representative.

Wednesday, April 1, at 2 - 3:30pm EASTERN

Call-in: (866) 379 – 3045
Conference ID # 92815009
Webinar: Join the meeting

Join NCAI for a free, live webinar to discuss the unprecedented opportunities for business owners in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The webinar will cover what business owners need to know about the Recovery Act including new prospects and provisions for business owners and the new accountability and compliance rules for contractors in the ARRA.

The presentation will be given by Bob Tompkins, a partner at the DC-based law firm, Patton Boggs, LLP with Dante Desiderio, Economic Development Policy Specialist at NCAI hosting the webinar.

White House Conference Call Invitation

Monday, March 30, 2009
3 to 4PM Eastern
Participant: (800) 230-1074
Confirmation Number: 993900

• Please call in early
• Please let the White House know whether you will be participating in the conference call by responding to IGA@who.eop.gov.

Tribal leaders are invited to participate in a conference call on Monday, March 30, 2009 3 – 4 p.m. EST to discuss the funding that is available to Tribes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act”)and how Tribes can access these stimulus dollars. The Recovery Act will inject $787 billion into the economy by providing jobs and much needed resources for tribal, state and local communities. This will be the first of two calls from the White House. Tribal leaders from around the country, and representatives from a number of federal agencies, will be participating in the call. The federal representatives will provide participating Tribes with a summary of which grants and funding are available from their respective agencies or departments. At the conclusion of the federal presentation, questions will be taken. We will also provide Tribes with contact information for any questions which do not get answered or arise after the call has ended.

The federal agencies participating in the call are:

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of Justice
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Interior

Reminder: Visit the Tribal Recovery Act Website at www.ncai.org/stimulus and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter for important updates.

On Thursday, March 26th, NCAI will host an Economic Recovery webinar session on the Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) funding in the Recovery Act. Tribes who have CDFI programs and those tribes that are interested in starting a CDFI program are invited to participate.

The CDFI Fund will be re-opening its 2009 CDFI Program and Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program award rounds to enable additional applicants to apply, and will also be offering current applicants the opportunity to request larger awards.  Applicants that did apply under the initial FY 2009 award rounds will have the opportunity to increase the amounts they requested in their applications to as much as $2 million under the CDFI Program and $750,000 under the NACA Program.  Further, the Recovery Act included a waiver of the program's matching funds requirement.

You can experience the webinar live in one of two ways:

AUDIO: The first is simply by calling the teleconference number and listening to the audio just as any other teleconference. To join the audio portion of this meeting, please dial (866) 379-3045 and reference Conference ID # 91700910 . The call will be operator-assisted, meaning that someone will take your name and affiliation when you call in and the operator will also manage questions from those on the phone during the Question & Answer period.

WEB MEETING: The second way is to also join the web portion of the meeting. First, please join the audio portion of the meeting. This will allow you to be on the phone listening to the presentation at the same time you see the PowerPoint presentation on your computer. If you join the web portion of this meeting, you will be able to type in your questions. You will still need to call-in using the phone number and ID above. Then to join the web meeting, please follow these steps: 

1. Click on the following link: Join the meeting.
2. Microsoft LiveMeeting will prompt you to download the LiveMeeting client - please click ok and run. If you cannot install the Microsoft LiveMeeting client software on your computer, you can also use the web-only access, located at the bottom of the page.

Tribes who are interested in enhancing their public safety personnel and their programs to promote the safety of Native women are invited to participate in a teleconference on Wednesday, March 25th from 2pm to 4:00pm (Eastern).

Wednesday, March 25, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. EASTERN

Call-in #: (866) 379-3045
Conference ID # 91698071

The first hour will be devoted to the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). The Notice of Funds Availability has been released and applications are due by April 6th. The COPS Office will receive the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to address the personnel needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The CHRP is a competitive grant program that provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies having primary law enforcement authority to create and preserve jobs and to increase their community policing capacity and crime-prevention efforts. Up to $1 billion in grant funding will be available for the hiring and rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers.

The second hour will be devoted to the Office of Violence Against Woman Recovery Act Funds to Indian Tribal Governments. The Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. Specifically, under this solicitation, OVW will be making awards to enhance the ability of tribes to address violence against Indian women.

The Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program (Tribal Governments Program) was created in Title IX of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. The Tribal Governments Program is designed to fulfill the three goals of Title IX: (1) to decrease the number of violent crimes committed against Indian women; (2) to help Indian tribes use their independent authority to respond to crimes of violence against Indian women; and (3) to make sure that people who commit violent crimes against Indian women are held responsible for their actions.1 The Recovery Act Tribal Governments Program can help fulfill the goals of the Recovery Act by funding grantees to hire new personnel, develop databases, renovate of housing, and help victims achieve economic independence.

Presentation Resources

2009 CHRP Fact Sheet

2009 Tribal Resources Grant Program

LABOR AND INDIAN NATIONS WORKING TOGETHER:
CHANGING CULTURES WITH SUCCESSFUL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

PRESENTED BY THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC STEERING AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
CAPITOL, ROOM S-4

On February 17, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides $20 million to promote and expand tribal/union workforce development and training programs. This briefing will describe the elements of successful construction union and tribal partnerships, ways to expand union-tribal training opportunities, the impact of these workforce development and training programs on individuals and tribal communities, and recommendations for strengthening the union-tribal partnerships. The briefing will feature presentations from:

• Conrad Edwards, President, Council for Tribal Employee Rights.
• Mike Arndt, Director of Training, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
• Chris Heinz, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (invited).
• Ed Hensley, Construction Market Representative (Northwest), Laborers-Employers Construction and Education Trust.
• Danielle LeClair, Federal Sector Representative, Laborers’ International Union of North America.

For additional information or to RSVP, contact Courtney Rowe at 202.224.4147 or Courtney_Rowe@dpc.senate.gov

NCAI hosted a free teleconference on the Recovery Act provisions for Coastal and Marine Restoration Grants.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) anticipates that up to $170 million will be available for coastal and marine habitat restoration.  Restoration includes but is not limited to: activities that contribute to the return of degraded or altered marine, estuarine, coastal and freshwater habitats to a close approximation of their function prior to disturbance. Habitat restoration projects that produce habitat protections from sea level rise, coastal storms and flooding will also be considered.
 
The funds will be distributed via competitive grants. Click here to get the Notice of Funds Availability. Indian tribal governments are eligible as are tribal colleges and universities. Native Hawaiian organizations would also be eligible. The deadline for submission is April 6, so time is short. 

Agency Information on the Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Funding

• NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project FFO (FFO Number NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2009-2001709)
• Apply Electronically at Grants.gov
• Supplementary Instructions
• Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and FONSI for Habitat Restoration
• Reporting Requirements (in development)
• Applications due April 6, 2009

NCAI Resources

The national teleconference with Craig A. Woolcott (Coastal Restoration Specialist, NOAA Restoration Center) and Diana Bob (Staff Attorney, NCAI) is available for download here*.

*All rights reserved. For informational use only. Not for broadcast.

 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will host an interactive Webcast to discuss provisions of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Washington, DC Attendees, please arrive no later than 1:30 pm for preliminary program.

Webcast starts at 2:00 pm EDT

Participating HHS Agencies include:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Administration for Children and Families
Health Resources and Services Administration
Administration on Aging

Participants in the Washington, D.C. area are invited to attend the live briefing in the Small Auditorium on the Lobby Level of the Hubert Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201

Seating is limited. Please RSVP by e-mail your name and organization to bernice.harper@hhs.gov. For any questions, please call (202) 690-6060.

To join the Webcast, please access: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Services (RUS) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will hold a series of public meetings on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the additional authority for the RUS to make grants and loans for the deployment and construction of broadband systems.

WHEN:

March 16, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), Washington, DC
March 17, 2009, 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time), Las Vegas, NV
March 18, 2009, 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time), Flagstaff, AZ
March 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (EDT), Washington, DC
March 23, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (EDT), Washington, DC
March 24, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (EDT), Washington, DC

WHERE:

The meetings on March 16, 19, 23, and 24, 2009, will take place at: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230.

The meeting on March 17 will take place at the Charleston Heights Center, 800 South Brush Street, Las Vegas, NV 89107.

The March 18 meeting will take place at the High Country Conference Center (Northern Arizona University Campus), 201 West Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Attendance at each meeting is limited to space available and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All members of the press planning to attend are requested to RSVP to Kevin Griffis at kgriffis@doc.gov, Karen Cowles Pullen at kcpullen@doc.gov , or to call (202) 482-4883. All meetings will have sign language interpretation. Individuals requiring additional assistance are asked to inform Barbara Brown, NTIA, at (202) 482-4374 or bbrown@ntia.doc.gov, at least two (2) days prior to the applicable meeting.

All meetings will be streamed live on the Web at www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants. Materials will also be archived at www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants and www.rurdev.usda.gov.

For further information, go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BTOP_Advisory_090314.pdf contact Barbara Brown, NTIA at (202) 482-4374 or bbrown@ntia.doc.gov; or Mary Campanola, RUS, at (202) 720-8822 or mary.campanola@wdc.usda.gov

NCAI hosted a free webinar on the basic federal grant process and grant writing skills on Wednesday, March 11, at 2pm EASTERN time. Please CLICK HERE for more information.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a call with tribal leaders on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009, at 2 pm EASTERN to discuss funds available to tribes under the Recovery bill. Please see the invitation from EPA here.

The conference call information is as follows:
When : March 11, 2009
When : 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST
Dial-in-Number: 866-299-3188
Conference Code: 2025647616

NCAI to Broadcast Tribal Leaders Economic Stimulus Meeting Live online Monday, March 2, 2009 from 9 a.m. - Noon at www.ncai.org

Economic Stimulus - What Tribal Leaders Need to Know  - Tribal leaders need to know what is in the bill, how their projects and communities will be impacted and how to access funding for specific projects. This presentation will include a forum for federal agency program directors and others to discuss the Stimulus rules, funding provisions, and how the Stimulus funds will be distributed

Download PDF

Agenda

 National Economic Stimulus Conference Call