Monthly Webinar | The American Plan Rescue Act of 2021-Video Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The National Grants Management Association (NGMA) hosted a comprehensive webinar focused on pandemic relief funding, particularly the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, following previous statutes like the CARES Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The session highlighted key ARPA funding streams, including $350 billion for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, $122 billion toward education (ARP ESSER), homeowner assistance, community health centers, and homelessness support programs.<br /><br />Presenters from CRO LLP, a major public accounting and consulting firm, detailed the challenges and compliance requirements linked to these funds. Key learning objectives covered navigating ARPA legislation, understanding funding programs, identifying implementation risks such as unclear reporting requirements, complex programming, and rapid disbursement pressures, and managing grants coordination and compliance.<br /><br />The webinar stressed the importance of documenting eligibility and allowability of costs, adherence to Treasury interim final rules, and the need for clear policies on cash management, subrecipient distinctions, and accounting system capabilities. It emphasized compliance with Uniform Guidance, especially for newer funding streams, and the necessity of periodic reconciliations to prevent overpayment.<br /><br />Discussion included detailed eligible uses for funds, such as pandemic response, economic stabilization, mental health services, and infrastructure investments. The presenters encouraged using checklists and coordinated program-finance collaboration to streamline reporting and compliance.<br /><br />Participants engaged in polling and Q&A, addressing indirect cost recovery nuances, state-level funding variations, contractor versus subrecipient compliance, and timing and management of funds. NGMA announced additional upcoming training opportunities and resources for members to stay current with evolving guidance and to enhance grant management capabilities.<br /><br />Overall, the session provided vital insight for grants professionals to effectively administer and comply with ARPA and related pandemic relief funding.

Keywords

National Grants Management Association

NGMA

American Rescue Plan Act

ARPA

pandemic relief funding

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

ARP ESSER

grant compliance

Treasury interim final rules

Uniform Guidance

grant management

funding programs

pandemic response