AGENCIES COMMIT TO HELP VETERANS TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
Agencies Commit to Transition Assistance Program
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2013 - The Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education, the Office of Personnel Management and the Small Business Administration codified their continued commitment to help transitioning service members be "career ready" for civilian life by signing a statement of intent on Aug. 15.

"This [statement of intent] puts our shared commitment to our service members in black and white," said Dr. Susan Kelly, principal director of DOD's Transition to Veterans Program office.

Each of the military services was represented during the formal signing of the statement of intent, said Francine Blackmon, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for force management integration.

The services have aggressively implemented the various components of the redesigned Transition Assistance Program, Blackmon said.

Working elbow-to-elbow with the various partnering agencies, the services are ensuring service members are provided all the necessary tools to make a successful transition to civilian life, she said.

"The [statement of intent] strengthens our resolve for a concerted interagency effort working toward this common goal," Blackmon added.

More than 250,000 service members separate from active duty each year, and they face numerous challenges as they transition to civilian life. The statement of intent is a milestone for the interagency effort to redesign the 1990s-era transition assistance program model and help service members meet those challenges. The signing shows that the redesigned TAP is not a short-term effort but a set of greatly improved transition services that the partners will sustain for the long-term.

"Even in this time of budget constraints, each of the interagency partners and the services will sustain the effort to implement the redesign of transition assistance," Kelly said. This includes staff at installations to provide face-to-face information and new skills, as well as a virtual curriculum to build the same career readiness skills for service members and reservists in isolated and geographically separated locations, she added.

The statement of intent also establishes the objectives for the new governance structure and the foundation of the new TAP Executive Council, comprised of DOD, VA and DOL co-chairs, as well as senior executives from SBA, OPM, ED and the military services. The new TAP Executive Council will steer the collaboration and partnership efforts through 2016 and implement and modify the redesigned program as needed to meet changing needs of transitioning service members through the years.

Over the last eighteen months, the DOD and VA have led the efforts of the Veterans Employment Initiative Task Force interagency partners and the White House Economic and Domestic Policy Council staffs in redesigning the Desert Storm-era Transition Assistance Program to better prepare service members for these challenges as they leave the military and become veterans.

The redesigned TAP provides training that will build skills to enable transitioning service members to meet career readiness standards established by DOD. The training, known as Transition GPS (goals, plans, success), is comprised of interlinked curriculum, services, and processes conducted by numerous partners -- DOD, the military services, VA, DOL, SBA, and OPM.

Interagency partner Department of Education and the National Guard Bureau continue to serve in valued consultative and advisory roles.

Advancing their work together, the agencies will cultivate an interagency partnership that builds upon mutual respect, cooperation and shared goals to successfully transition career ready service members to the civilian sector.

RESOURSE PARTNERS RECEIVE $19 MILLION FROM SBA FOR HURRICANE SANDY RECOVERY

Hurricane Sandy Cleanup.  Credit:  FEMA

FROM: U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
$19 Million in Grants to be Made to SBA Resource Partners to Support Hurricane Sandy Small Business Recovery

WASHINGTON— Small businesses rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will get both immediate and long-term help laying a foundation for economic recovery and resiliency thanks to expanded services funded by a $19 million emergency appropriation.

Small businesses can take advantage of free expanded counseling, training and technical assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s resource partners—the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs).

"This is yet another example of placing proven, effective tools in the hands of America’s small business owners who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "SBA’s extensive resource partner network continues to play a critical role in fostering economic development in those hard-hit areas, and I’m pleased those resources will be made accessible on a broader scale to help those who need it most."

Funding was made available as part of a package approved by Congress in January to meet the demand for SBA assistance. Through these funds, SCORE, SBDCs and WBCs can help provide long-term small business rebuilding strategies, as well as help small businesses through the SBA lending process.

In the first phase of counseling and technical assistance funding, $5.8 million is being distributed to SBA resource partners in 11 states--Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia--and Puerto Rico.

The SBDC and WBC funding awards are as follows:

Connecticut $527,000 Delaware $118,000

Massachusetts $76,000 Maryland $36,000

North Carolina $18,000 New Jersey $1,385,000

New York $2,394,000 Pennsylvania $410,000

Rhode Island $71,000 Virginia $7,000

West Virginia $46,000 Puerto Rico $19,000

SCORE will receive $704,000 to fund its chapters in the affected areas. During the second phase of funding, $13.1 million will be issued through these resource partners to provide long-term small business recovery and expansion, with a focus on building creative community-based partnerships.

SBA makes low-interest, taxpayer-backed disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes.
As of April 11, the SBA has approved disaster loans totaling $1.8 billion to individuals, and $279 million to businesses and non-profit organizations recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

SBA’s resource partners provide counseling assistance to disaster survivors, including business advice for affected businesses and assistance in applying for an SBA disaster loan. In addition, they staff recovery centers and provide guidance to help with businesses recovery and disaster preparedness.

FEMA OUTLINES SUPPORT FOR NEW YORK'S HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

 

Breezy Point, N.Y., March 22, 2013 -- Residents of this Queens neighborhood are rebuilding their homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. This house is in the process of being elevated above the new flood level to prevent damage from future storm surges and flooding.  Photo Credit:  FEMA.

FROM: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
New York recovery from Hurricane Sandy: By the Numbers
March 29, 2013

NEW YORK — New York survivors have until April 13 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and return their applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy:
More than $941 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
Nearly $809 million for housing assistance
More than $132 million for other needs More than $1.3 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
Nearly $3.2 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
More than $806 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and some nonprofit organizations that serve the public
270,634 people have registered for assistance in the 13 designated counties
182,426 housing inspections completed
175,215 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
5.6 million cubic yards of debris removed
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
26 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

FEMA SAYS NEW YORK SUVIVORS PROVIDED $2 BILLION

$2 billion provided to NY survivors by FEMA, SBA
Release date:
March 1, 2013
Release Number:
NR-180

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved more than $2 billion in direct assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. This includes:
Nearly $918 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households
More than $793 million for housing assistance
More than $124 million for other needs More than $1.1 billion in SBA disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses
:Other assistance
More than $717 million approved in FEMA Public Assistance grants to communities and eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the public
More than $2.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders
5.3 million cubic yards of debris removed
269,192 people contacted FEMA for help or information
180,406 housing inspections completed
164,194 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers
More than 500 voluntary agencies involved in recovery
25 languages used to communicate assistance information to survivors

FEMA SAYS NEW JERSEY HURRICANE SANDY ASSISTANCE HAS REACHED $800 MILLION

Belmar, N.J., Jan. 21, 2013 -- As recovery measures continue, residents in this coastal community construct a memorial in honor of those who lost their lives and property due to Hurricane Sandy. At the direction of President Barack Obama, FEMA continues to lead the federal government's effort to provide assistance and support to states affected by Hurricane Sandy, ensuring the federal family and its public and private partners continue to provide all available resources to support state, local, and tribal communities in affected areas. Adam DuBrowa-FEMA

　
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Hurricane Sandy Assistance Reaches Nearly $800 Million In New Jersey
January 26, 2013

TRENTON, N.J. -- While New Jersey survivors of Hurricane Sandy have until March 1 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance, more than $780 million in disaster assistance has been approved to speed recovery.

FEMA has approved more than $300 million in housing assistance for more than 52,000 people. Housing assistance includes temporary rental assistance and grants to repair and replace storm-damaged primary residences. More than $42 million has been approved to help survivors replace hurricane-damaged personal property and to help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

In rare cases, FEMA is providing temporary housing to Sandy survivors. Empty apartments at Fort Monmouth are being renovated to house some survivors. More than 40 apartments are occupied and when work is complete, there will be 115 units ranging from one bedroom to four bedrooms. FEMA is also installing a limited number of manufactured homes at commercial mobile home parks.

Homeowners and renters are also being helped with low-interest disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $277 million in loans to individuals. Another $31.7 million has been approved for New Jersey businesses.

More than $129 million has been channeled to state and local governments to help remove hurricane debris and restore disaster-damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Among the largest grants was $11.2 million to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for emergency repairs to a wastewater treatment plant that serves 48 communities and treats 330 million gallons of sewage daily.

FEMA and federal partners such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have helped local communities replace critical public facilities damaged by the hurricane. The Sea Bright Fire Department, for example, was knocked out of commission by storm damage. The Corps set up a temporary fire station with a four-bay fire truck tent and a 56-foot trailer in a beach access parking lot.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

FEMA SAYS $1.5 BILLION PROVIDED FOR NEW YORK HURRICANE SURVIVORS

Breezy Point, N.Y., Jan. 16, 2013 -- FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Fort Tilden Park in Breezy Point, NY is still open to assist Hurricane Sandy survivors. Several FEMA partners are stationed here to provide one-stop assistance to residents affected by the storm, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), Housing & Urban Development (HUD), NY State Department of Motor Vehicles and the US Post Office. Andre R. Aragon-FEMA
 

FROM: U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Nearly $1.5 Billion Provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy Survivors
January 18, 2013

NEW YORK — Federal disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy totals almost $1.5 billion.

FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:
Bronx $2.3 million
Kings $188 million
Nassau $277 million
New York $12.8 million
Queens $218 million
Richmond $87.9 million
Suffolk $63.9 million
FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved almost $1.5 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors. FEMA has approved more than $855 million for individuals and households, including nearly $753 million for housing assistance and more than $102 million in assistance for other needs.
SBA has approved more than $590 million in disaster loans to homeowners and renters and nearly $40 million in disaster loans to businesses. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 17 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
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Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites. To date, nearly 133,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York. 59 inspectors are currently in the field. To date, 172,727 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
More than $1.4 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in New York for losses resulting from Sandy. The National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.
Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $413 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State. The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

A MOVE FORWARD ON THE SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK OF THE AMERICAS

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Department of State and U.S. Trade Representative Move Forward On President Obama's Small Business Network of the Americas
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 15, 2012
The U.S. Department of State, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Small Business Administration participated in a signing event for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Brazil’s Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), the U.S. Association of Small Business Development Centers, and the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development. The MOU links the organizations’ online trade platforms for small businesses their networks serve, and is a key step forward under the United States – Brazil Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation (ATEC). Under the ATEC, the United States and Brazil are exploring greater cooperation on a variety of issues, including small business.

President Obama has noted that "small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our nation’s promise." The same is true throughout the Western Hemisphere, where the small business sector plays a critical role in job creation and broad-based economic growth. The Administration's Small Business Network of the Americas (SBNA) will promote business development and entrepreneurship by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) and encourage greater trade among these businesses throughout the Hemisphere. SBNA will promote the expansion of the SBDC model in partner countries; connect the more than 2,000 SBDCs and similar small business support centers throughout the Hemisphere that already serve approximately two million small business clients; and promote MSME trade through virtual trade platforms like SBDCglobal.com that can help SBDCs and their small business clients expand international partnerships.

Photo: Iguazu Falls. Along Brazil/Argintine border. Credit: CIA World Factbook.

At the MOU signing, which took place on September 11, 2012, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Matthew Rooney represented the Department of State and Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business and Market Access Christina Sevilla represented the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk has stated that "increasing exports is crucial to the economic and job growth potential of America’s small businesses. Small businesses that export more tend to grow faster, add more jobs, and pay higher wages than small businesses that serve purely domestic markets." During the MOU signing, Mr. Rooney noted that the SBDC network is a "critical part of the Administration’s policy for greater economic cooperation and partnership in Latin America."

　

 

SBA AND FDIC OFFER EDUCATION AND MENTORING SUPPORT FOR NEW ENTREPRENEURS

FROM:  SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

FDIC and SBA Team Up to Offer Financial Education and Mentoring Support to New and Aspiring Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced new resources to support small businesses across the nation.  Acting Chairman Gruenberg and SBAs Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development Michael Chodos released Money Smart for Small Business, a training curriculum for new and aspiring business owners.

Developed in partnership between both agencies, this curriculum is the latest offering in the FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart program.

 Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day business organization and planning and is written for entrepreneurs with limited or no prior formal business training.  It offers practical information that can be applied immediately, while also preparing participants for more advanced training.  FDIC and SBA will form a Training Alliance for organizations that support small businesses through training, technical assistance or mentoring. 

 Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day business organization and planning and is written for entrepreneurs with limited or no prior formal business training.  It offers practical information that can be applied immediately, while also preparing participants for more advanced training.  FDIC and SBA will form a Training Alliance for organizations that support small businesses through training, technical assistance or mentoring. 

 “We are excited to join the FDIC in its expansion of the Money Smart curriculum for small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “The FDIC is a vital ally in our efforts to help small business owners start, grow and create jobs.  Money Smart for Small Business will help to put more information on the business basics of financial management at entrepreneurs’ fingertips and make it easier for them to build their knowledge and skill set.”

 “We are excited to join the FDIC in its expansion of the Money Smart curriculum for small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “The FDIC is a vital ally in our efforts to help small business owners start, grow and create jobs.  Money Smart for Small Business will help to put more information on the business basics of financial management at entrepreneurs’ fingertips and make it easier for them to build their knowledge and skill set.”

 Gruenberg and Chodos were joined by Training Alliance partners at the launch of Money Smart for Small Business, hosted by the District of Columbia’s Affinity Lab, a small business incubator. “We are proud to launch Money Smart for Small Business,” said Gruenberg.  “We value our partnerships – with SBA and the Money Smart Alliance members – and recognize their importance to our work.  Small businesses play a vital role in supporting a vibrant economy.”

 Gruenberg and Chodos were joined by Training Alliance partners at the launch of Money Smart for Small Business, hosted by the District of Columbia’s Affinity Lab, a small business incubator. “We are proud to launch Money Smart for Small Business,” said Gruenberg.  “We value our partnerships – with SBA and the Money Smart Alliance members – and recognize their importance to our work.  Small businesses play a vital role in supporting a vibrant economy.”

Each of the 10 instructor-led modules in Money Smart for Small Business provides financial and business management for business owners and includes a scripted instructor guide, participant guide and overhead slides.  The FDIC will host an online “town hall” for potential Training Alliance partners in the months ahead.