Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. TO DELIVER TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACROSS FOUR PRIORITY AREAS: (1) SUPPORTING RURAL, SMALL, AND/OR TRIBAL MUNICIPALITIES IN PLANNING, DEVELOPING, AND SECURING FINANCING FOR ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE UNDER THE CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND (CWSRF); (2) ASSISTING RURAL, SMALL, AND/OR TRIBAL PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AND ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH WATER QUALITY STANDARDS; (3) PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON MANAGEMENT, REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND FINANCING OPTIONS FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES; AND (4) DISSEMINATING INFORMATION RELATED TO MANAGEMENT, COMPLIANCE, AND FINANCING FOR DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS IN RURAL, SMALL, AND/OR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES WILL SUPPORT SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTWS), ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS, LAGOON SYSTEMS, AND OTHER CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND (CWSRF)-ELIGIBLE PROJECTS SERVING COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING U.S. TERRITORIES AND TRIBAL AREAS. UNDER PRIORITY AREA 1 (ACQUISITION OF FINANCE/FUNDING), THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP) WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS PARTNERS TO IMPROVE COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY BY LEVERAGING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS AND ENHANCING PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY. UNDER PRIORITY AREA 2 (PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE), THE GOAL IS TO STRENGTHEN COMPLIANCE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, ULTIMATELY IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AND WATER QUALITY IN RURAL/SMALL COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING TERRITORIES AND TRIBAL AREAS. FOR PRIORITY AREA 3 (TRIBAL SYSTEMS), RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL FOCUS ON TRIBAL LANDS IN UP TO 24 STATES, WORKING TO ENHANCE COMPLIANCE, FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, AND ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, THEREBY IMPROVING WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES. UNDER PRIORITY AREA 4 (DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS), RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENT OF ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE (OANDM), PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES, AND LEVERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING WHERE APPROPRIATEMDASH;ALL WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY IN COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED ACROSS THE U.S., ITS TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL REGIONS. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDEES WILL USE THEIR FUNDING TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, OUTREACH, AND INFORMATION SHARING. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF: 1) COMMUNITIES THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CWSRF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS; 2) COMMUNITIES WITH STRONGER FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL, AND MANAGERIAL CAPACITY THAT UNDERSTAND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND HOW TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE STANDARDS; 3) TRIBES THAT UNDERSTAND WATER QUALITY COMPLIANCE AND HOW TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS; AND, 4) COMMUNITIES THAT UNDERSTAND DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN THESE SYSTEMS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND RURAL/SMALL COMMUNITIES.

DESCRIPTION:IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PARTNERS, RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS. THE OBJECTIVE IS PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVED COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY. THE END RESULTS WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN REGULATORY COMPLIANCE OR MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE; INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND BOARD MEMBERS; INCREASED NUMBER OF OPERATORS ACQUIRING, MAINTAINING, AND ADVANCING THEIR CERTIFICATION; AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.ACTIVITIES:THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF MORE THAN 350 FIELD-BASED STAFF AND PROJECT PARTNERS, THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED TEAM WILL PROVIDE TRAINING IN ALL 50 STATES, THE FIVE US TERRITORIES, AND IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, USING BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE/ONLINE METHODS. RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED WILL DEPLOY TRAINING METHODS THAT INCLUDE: 1) TRADITIONAL IN-PERSON, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING; 2) LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING; 3) WEBINAR PRESENTATIONS OFFERED LIVE AND RECORDED FOR LATER ON-DEMAND VIEWING; 4) MICROLEARNING (SHORT PIECES OF ON-DEMAND CONTENT THAT CAN BE QUICKLY AND CONVENIENTLY CONSUMED); AND 5) ELEARNING, WHICH INCLUDES ONLINE/ON-DEMAND SELF-PACED MODULES. RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED WILL ALSO DEVELOP BLENDED LEARNING TRAININGS THAT COMBINE SELF-PACED, ON-DEMAND MATERIALS WITH LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING.SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUBAWARD ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.OUTCOMES:THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE: OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS. THIS PROJECT WILL PRODUCE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS (NON-TRIBAL, TRIBAL, COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM/NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT OR MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE AS INDICATED BY MEASURED PERFORMANCE, REDUCED ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY STATUS, OR OTHER INDICATORS IN ITS DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM (AND FINAL TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, FINANCIAL ASSESSMENTS; - INCREASED NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE OR RESILIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AS A PART OF THEIR OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES; - INCREASED TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF SMALL SYSTEM OPERATORS AND MANAGERS TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT THE CAUSES FOR COMPLIANCE FAILURES AND TO INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY; - INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF BOARD MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE AND TO SUSTAIN SYSTEMS OVER TIME; - INCREASED NUMBER OF SYSTEMS WITH UPDATED CERTIFIED RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENTS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AS REQUIRED BY AMERICA'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ACT SECTION 2013 FOR SYSTEMS SERVING OVER 3,300 POPULATION; AND - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER IN ALL POSSIBLE FORMS OF UTILITY PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES THAT ULTIMATELY ASSIST WITH REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH.

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PARTNERS, WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS/OTHER STAFF OF TRIBAL/NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS AND TRANSIENT AND NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH, ADVANCING EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY INCLUDING THROUGH ENHANCED ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.ACTIVITIES:THROUGH A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 350 FIELD STAFF AND PROJECT PARTNERS, RCAP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING IN ALL 50 STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES USING IN-PERSON AND ONLINE METHODS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON AND PREFERENCE FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES SINCE THEY ARE OFTEN MORE HANDS-ON AND ALLOW FOR MORE NETWORKING/RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. RCAP WILL DEPLOY TRAINING METHODS THAT INCLUDE: 1) INTERACTIVE IN-PERSON, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING INCLUDING LEARNING LABORATORIES; 2) LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING; AND 3) WEBINAR OFFERED LIVE AND RECORDED FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING. RCAP USES TRAINING METHODS THAT INCLUDE BLENDED LEARNING COMBINING SELF-PACED, ON-DEMAND MATERIALS WITH LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING, HYBRID IN-PERSON/ONLINE TRAINING, MICROLEARNING (SHORT, ON-DEMAND CONTENT CONVENIENTLY CONSUMED); AND SELF-PACED ELEARNING. ADDITIONALLY, RCAP'S IN-DEPTH APPROACH TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) WILL FOCUS ON ADDRESSING THE IMMEDIATE CAUSES OF CURRENT/POTENTIAL COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS AND IMPROVE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY, INCLUDING ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS. RCAP WILL PROVIDE MULTI-CONTACT, INTENSIVE TA THAT WILL BE PROVIDED ON-SITE AND REMOTELY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THE GRANT PERIOD: LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES, LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES, ASSISTING WITH FUNDING APPLICATIONS, PROVIDING INPUT ON PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS, DEVELOPING/UPDATING RISK AND RESILIENCY ASSESSMENTS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS, RATE STUDIES, ASSET MANAGEMENT, BUDGETING AND/OR FISCAL CONTROLS, WATER LOSS/LEAK DETECTION, MAPPING, REGIONALIZATION FACILITATION, AND AFFORDABILITY/CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUBAWARD ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.OUTCOMES:BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM MANAGERS/STAFF, OPERATORS, AND DECISION MAKERS. OUTCOMES WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF SMALL SYSTEM OPERATORS, STAFF, AND LEADERSHIP IN THE AREAS OF REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS/OPERATIONS; PLANNING AND RESPONDING TO THREATS (NATURAL AND MAN-MADE); THE BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION WITH OTHER SYSTEMS; IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE FOR THOSE IMPLEMENTING ASSET MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZING IMPROVED RATE STRUCTURES; AND MORE SMALL SYSTEMS APPLYING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. THIS WILL BE MEASURED THROUGH THE FOLLOWING MEANS: - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PWSS IN COMPLIANCE/MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE INDICATED BY REDUCED ENFORCEMENT STATUS OR IN THE DCS WITH COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE TYPES/OUTCOMES AND FINAL TMFS; - INCREASED PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION DUE TO AN INCREASED NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES WITH LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES AND/OR CONDUCTING SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT; - INCREASED CAPACITY OF OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND BOARDS TO DIAGNOSE/CORRECT CAUSES FOR COMPLIANCE FAILURE AND TO INCREASE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY/RESILIENCY SHOWN BY AVERAGE IMPROVEMENT OF PRE/POST TEST SCORES; - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER IN ALL POSSIBLE FORMS OF UTILITY PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES THAT ULTIMATELY ASSIST WITH REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH; AND - NUMBER OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED; INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING DOLLAR

DESCRIPTION:IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PARTNERS, RCAP WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVED COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY. THE END RESULTS WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN REGULATORY COMPLIANCE OR MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE; INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND BOARD MEMBERS; INCREASED NUMBER OF OPERATORS ACQUIRING, MAINTAINING, AND ADVANCING THEIR CERTIFICATION; AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.ACTIVITIES:THROUGH ITS NETWORK OF MORE THAN 300 FIELD-BASED STAFF AND PROJECT PARTNERS, THE RCAP TEAM WILL PROVIDE TRAINING IN ALL 50 STATES, THE 5 US TERRITORIES, AND IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES USING BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE/ONLINE METHODS. RCAP WILL DEPLOY TRAINING METHODS THAT INCLUDE: 1) TRADITIONAL IN-PERSON, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING; 2) LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING; 3) WEBINAR PRESENTATIONS OFFERED LIVE AND RECORDED FOR LATER ON-DEMAND VIEWING; 4) MICROLEARNING (SHORT PIECES OF ON-DEMAND CONTACT THAT CAN BE QUICKLY AND CONVENIENTLY CONSUMED); AND 5) ELEARNING, WHICH INCLUDES ONLINE/ON-DEMAND SELF-PACED MODULES. RCAP WILL ALSO DEVELOP BLENDED LEARNING TRAININGS THAT COMBINE SELF-PACED, ON-DEMAND MATERIALS WITH LIVE, INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING. SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUBAWARDS WILL BE USED TO FUND PERSONNEL, FRINGE BENEFITS, CONTRACTUAL, TRAVEL, SUPPLIES, AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS. OUTCOMES:THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE: OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS. THIS PROJECT WILL PRODUCE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS (NON-TRIBAL, TRIBAL, CWS/NCWS) IN COMPLIANCE WITH SDWA OR MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE AS INDICATED BY MEASURED PERFORMANCE, REDUCED ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY STATUS, OR OTHER INDICATORS IN THE DCS AND FINAL TMF ASSESSMENTS; - INCREASED NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE OR RESILIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AS A PART OF THEIR OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES; - INCREASED TMF CAPACITY OF SMALL SYSTEM OPERATORS AND MANAGERS TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT THE CAUSES FOR COMPLIANCE FAILURES AND TO INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY; - INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF BOARD MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE AND TO SUSTAIN SYSTEMS OVER TIME; - INCREASED NUMBER OF SYSTEMS WITH UPDATED CERTIFIED RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENTS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AS REQUIRED BY AWIA SECTION 2013 FOR SYSTEMS SERVING OVER 3,300 POPULATION; AND - INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER IN ALL POSSIBLE FORMS OF UTILITY PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES THAT ULTIMATELY ASSIST WITH REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH.

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PARTNERS, WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS/OTHER STAFF OF TRIBAL/NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS (CWSS) AND TRANSIENT AND NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS (NCWSS), WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING SYSTEM COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY INCLUDING THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.ACTIVITIES:RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, INTERACTIVE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE TRAINING BY EMPLOYING A WIDE RANGE OF INNOVATIVE TRAINING APPROACHES AND TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDING BLENDED LEARNING, HANDS-ON LEARNING LABS, SELF-PACED ELEARNING, WEBINARS, CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, PODCASTS, MICROLEARNING, AND VIDEOS. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS WILL PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TO OPERATORS VIA PHONE/EMAIL INQUIRIES, REFERRING UTILITY STAFF TO LOCAL RCAP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS WHEN ON-SITE ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED. MULTI-CONTACT, INTENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED ON-SITE AND REMOTELY. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS AND BE LOCALLY RELEVANT. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS WILL USE RCAP'S UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL/MANAGERIAL/FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR MOST PROJECTS TO PERFORM AN INITIAL NEEDS ANALYSIS. PRIORITY ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES AND THE SUBSEQUENT COMMUNITY/TA WORKPLAN WILL THEN BE BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE TMF AND MAY INCLUDE PROCESS OPTIMIZATION, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORIES AND REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES, ASSISTING WITH FUNDING APPLICATIONS, PROVIDING INPUT ON PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS, DEVELOPING/UPDATING RISK AND RESILIENCY ASSESSMENTS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS, RATE STUDIES, ASSET MANAGEMENT, BUDGETING AND/OR FISCAL CONTROLS, WATER LOSS/LEAK DETECTION, MAPPING, REGIONALIZATION FACILITATION, AFFORDABILITY/CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, STAFFING PLANS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ASSISTANCE. CLOSING TMF ASSESSMENTS WILL BE CONDUCTED ONCE TA PROJECTS CONCLUDE. RCAP WILL CONDUCT MULTI-CONTACT, COMPREHENSIVE TA PROJECTS IN ALL 50 STATES; AT LEAST SOME OF WHICH WILL BE TRIBAL. SUBRECIPIENT:THEY WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS/OTHER STAFF OF TRIBAL/NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS (CWSS) AND TRANSIENT AND NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS (NCWSS), WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING SYSTEM COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY INCLUDING THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.OUTCOMES:OUTCOMES INCLUDE: 1) AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS, STAFF, AND LEADERSHIP IN AREAS OF REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATIONS, PLANNING AND RESPONDING TO THREATS BOTH NATURAL AND MAN-MADE, AND THE BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION WITH OTHER SYSTEMS; 2) IMPROVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE IMPLEMENTING ASSET MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZING IMPROVED RATE STRUCTURES; AND 3) MORE SMALL SYSTEMS APPLYING FOR AND RECEIVING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE: OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS/OTHER STAFF OF TRIBAL/NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS AND TRANSIENT AND NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS. ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE AT LEAST 400 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, 150 TRAINING EVENTS, AND WEBINARS AND NEWSLETTERS.

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER (EFC) AT THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP). THE EFCS PROVIDE FINANCE-RELATED TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND ANALYTICAL STUDIES TO HELP REGULATED PARTIES DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO THE DIFFICULT 'HOW-TO-PAY' ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. THE EFCS EDUCATE STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES ON LOWERING ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS, INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS, IMPROVING FINANCIAL CAPACITY, IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE REVENUE GENERATING MECHANISMS, AND EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS. THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP) WILL WORK WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' IN ADDITION TO 8 STRATEGIC PARTNERS, THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION (AWWA), FOUR OF THE EXISTING CATEGORY 1 ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTERS (EFCN), THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES' LUSKIN CENTER (UCLA), THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), AND WATER FINANCE ASSISTANCE (WFA) TO HELP DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES (DACS) ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCE CHALLENGES THEY FACE AND MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) FOR SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL UN/UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH THE END GOAL OF PROTECTING HUMAN/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) AND EQUITY, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCE. THE COUNCIL OF INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING AUTHORITIES (CIFA), WHICH REPRESENTS THE CLEAN WATER (CW) AND DRINKING WATER (DW) STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) PROGRAMS WILL BE AN UNFUNDED COLLABORATOR OF OURS AND ALL 28 OTHER EFCS. RCAP HAS A ROBUST COLLABORATIVE TEAM OF PARTNERS WITH A DIVERSE POOL OF TRUSTED INDUSTRY LEADERS THAT WILL PROVIDE DEPTH AND BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SKILLS, MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL EXPERTISE, COMMUNITY OUTREACH/ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMITMENT TO HELP SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL DACS ACCESS BIL FUNDING ACROSS ALL 10 EPA REGIONS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE 1) PROVIDE DIRECT WATER TA TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO BIL SRF RESOURCES - EFC AND EPA WILL COLLABORATE TO PROVIDE DIRECT WATER TA TO 78 COMMUNITIES PER YEAR TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO BIL SRF RESOURCES (AND OTHER RELEVANT BIL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS THE EMERGING CONTAMINANTS IN SMALL OR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM), WITH A FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEVER ACCESSED SRF FUNDING BEFORE, AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY RECEIVING AN EQUIVALENT KIND OF TA. THIS INCLUDES: ALWAYS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES; HELPING COMMUNITIES GET READY (LONG-RANGE AND PRE-PLANNING); PROJECT AND FACILITIES PLANNING; CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $ APPLICATIONS; MEETING SRF CONDITIONS AND PERMITTING; PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND POST- CONSTRUCTION SUPPORTS; PROJECT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE; PREPARING FOR LOAN REPAYMENTS AND FINANCING FOR THE NEXT IMPROVEMENT OR REPLACEMENT PROJECT 2) SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY NEEDS IDENTIFICATION - RCAP, WITH INPUT FROM EPA, WILL DEVELOP A ROAD MAP TO HELP PRIORITIZE OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) FOR SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT MOST NEED SUPPORT IN ORDER TO ACCESS BIL AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO OVERCOME THEIR MOST URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. RCAP WILL USE A.) USA SPENDING DATA TO IDENTIFY PLACES IN EACH STATE THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED DW OR CW SRF, USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) OR OTHER WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, THAT B.) INTERSECT WITH OTHER FACTORS OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY (E.G.,

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WW TECHNICAL ASST. AND TRAINING GRANTS - X YEAR

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND ITS TEAM OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS WILL EXPAND AND CONTINUE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS. THE RCAP TEAM WILL PROVIDE SERVICES IN ALL 50 STATES, TWO UNITED STATES TERRITORIES, PLUS MULTIPLE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS. THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF THIS APPROACH ARE: 1) CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION WITH APPROPRIATE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO SET AND REFINE PRIORITIES FOR ACTIVITIES; 2) ROUTINE REPORTING TO PRIMACY AGENCIES AND THE EPA; 3) DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TRAININGS ' BOTH FACE-TO-FACE AND ONLINE; 4) PROVIDING ON-SITE AND REMOTE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WHERE NEEDED TO MOVE SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS TOWARD COMPLIANCE; 5) TARGETED TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND OPERATOR CERTIFICATION FOR SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS SERVING TRIBAL C

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PARTNERS, RCAP WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVED COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY. THE END RESULTS WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN REGULATORY COMPLIANCE OR MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCEAND INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY OF OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND BOARD MEMBERSAND INCREASED NUMBER OF OPERATORS ACQUIRING, MAINTAINING, AND ADVANCING THEIR CERTIFICATIONAND AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), AND ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION (AWWA), UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), AND INTER TRIBAL COUNCIL OF ARIZONA, INC. (ITCA) WILL PROVIDE COMPLIANCE-BASED, CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MANAGERS OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SMALL COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, NON-TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS, AND TRANSIENT NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVED COMPLIANCE. COMPLIANCE-RELATED TRAINING WILL BE DELIVERED THROUGH FACE-TO-FACE SESSIONS, WEBINARS, AND WEB-BASED E-LEARNING MODULES. COMPLIANCE SKILL-BUILDING WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT IS ONSITE, AS WELL AS OUTREACH THROUGH PHONE AND E-MAIL. THE TYPE, TOPICS, AND LOCATIONS OF THESE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES WILL BE DECIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RESPONSIBLE PRIMACY AGENCIES.

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

W&W TECHNICAL ASSIST & TRAIN GRNTS - 2009 ARRA

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP) WILL WORK WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS: COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED, GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP, MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, RCAP SOLUTIONS, RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION, AND SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT, COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' AND ITS STRATEGIC EXTERNAL PROJECT PARTNERS: THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, THE NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION AND WATER FINANCE ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS, ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AND OTHER CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND -ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. THEIR OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE LEVERAGING OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS AND IMPROVING PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY. RCAP WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO EXISTING PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS AND COLLECTION SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THOSE SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED VIA A BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH THAT WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING, WEBINARS, WEB-ACCESSIBLE SELF-PACED MODULES, AND ANYWHERE/ANYTIME RESOURCES. THIS PROJECT WILL SERVE COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED ACROSS THE US, THE US TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS. ACTIVITIES:RCAP WILL PROVIDE MULTI-CONTACT, IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING THROUGH MORE THAN 300 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS (TAPS) WORKING IN EVERY STATE, U.S. TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS. THE TYPE, TOPIC, AND LOCATION OF TRAINING AND TA ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A RANGE OF MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY-BUILDING STRATEGIES TO HELP COMMUNITIES AND SYSTEMS THROUGH ALL STAGES OF THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT CONTINUUM, INCLUDING PRE-PLANNING AND PRE-DEVELOPMENT, APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, MEETING GRANT/LOAN TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND IMPLEMENTATION AND CONSTRUCTION MONITORING AS WELL AS HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SET UP TO PAY BACK LOANS FULLY AND ON TIME.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBRECIPIENTS WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING SUCH AS SALARIES, FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSES.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES WILL INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES RECEIVING TA AND TRAINING TO INCREASE CAPACITY TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE, SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT, AND SUSTAINABLY MANAGE CWSRF/OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS (INCLUDING COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PLANNING PROCESSES) FOR CLEAN WATER PROTECTION SO THAT MORE PEOPLE IN RURAL, SMALL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES HAVE ENDURING, SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS. RCAP WILL CONDUCT 240 MULTI-VISIT TA PROJECTS ACROSS MOST STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS SERVING ALL 10 EPA REGIONS. EACH ON-SITE TA PROJECT WILL RECEIVE AN AVERAGE OF 80-100 HOURS OF RCAP STAFF SUPPORT. SOME PROJECT TYPES MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL TIME AND RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITY PERSONNEL WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO DEVELOP AND SUSTAINABLY MANAGE FUTURE COMPETITIVE FUNDING FOR NEEDED CLEAN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP) WILL PROVIDE COMPLIANCE-BASED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OPERATORS, BOARD MEMBERS A

AWARD PURPOSE: $4,250,000 AWARDED TO RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING CAPACITY BUILDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE MAIN STREETS COHORT IN THE THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT TO ENABLE DISADVANTAGED AND UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE A PIPELINE OF TRANSFORMATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN MAIN STREETS COHORT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: FACILITATION OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE TOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THE MAIN STREETS COMMUNITIES CAN ACCESS THE FUNDING PROVIDED IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL). INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE 16 MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES - HTTPS://WWW.TRANSPORTATION.GOV/GRANTS/THRIVING-COMMUNITIES

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND ITS TEAM OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS WILL EXPAND AND CONTINUE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SMALL SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE. THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP TEAM WILL PROVIDE SERVICES IN ALL 50 STATES, AT LEAST TWO UNITED STATES TERRITORIES, PLUS MULTIPLE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES OVER THE COURSE OF 18 MONTHS. THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF THIS APPROACH ARE: 1) THE CONTINUED CONSULTATION AND COLLABORATION WITH APPROPRIATE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES - INCLUDING STATE PRIMACY AGENCIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGIONAL DIRECT IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATORS - IN ORDER TO SET AND REFINE PRIORITIES FOR ACTIVITIES; 2) ROUTINE REPORTING TO PRIMACY AGENCIES, NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGIONS; 3) DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TRAININGS ' BOTH FACE-TO-FACE AND ONLINE; 4) PROVIDING ON-SITE AND REMOTE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WHERE NEE

DESCRIPTION: THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), AND ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION, NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION, INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL OF ARIZONA, AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES, WILL PROVIDE SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS, ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS, AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE COMPLIANCE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. ACTIVITIES: RCAP WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS WORKING WITH THE ABOVE WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. TRAINING WILL UTILIZE PARTICIPANT BASED ADULT EDUCATION TECHNIQUES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE RETENTION. OUTCOMES: RCAP'S CAPACITY-BUILDING WILL RESULT IN AN INCREASED NUMBER OF PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN OR MOVING TOWARDS REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. RESULTS WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF WASTEWATER SYSTEMS THAT HAVE ADOPTED LONG-TERM MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY PRACTICES. SUBRECIPIENT: THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION.

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND ITS TEAM OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS WILL EXPAND AND CONTINUE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO

RCAP, INC. AND ITS TEAM OF PARTNERS WILL EXPAND AND CONTINUE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SMALL SYSTEMS SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE AND MAIN

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT WILL REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF AT LEAST 150 WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS WITH LEAD-REMOVING FILTERS AND THE REPLACEMENT OF DRINKING WATER FIXTURES THAT CONTAIN LEAD. OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS, THIS PROJECT WILL REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE TO MORE THAN 16,000 STUDENTS AND STAFF ACROSS AT LEAST 54 SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS 9 STATES. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE SHORT AND LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES, EDUCATION TO STUDENTS, STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OR REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, TRAINING TO SCHOOL/CHILD CARE STAFF, AND ONGOING MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE OF REPLACES DRINKING WATER FIXTURES AT ALL PROJECT SITES. ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS GRANT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. COORDINATION/REPORTING: - COORDINATION BETWEEN RCAP AND THE EPA PROJECT OFFICER AND OFFICES AS NEEDED. - SUBMISSION OF APPLICABLE REPORTS TO EPA, AS DEFINED WITHIN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS GRANT PROGRAM. - COORDINATION BETWEEN RCAP AND STATE PRIMACY AGENCIES, EDUCATION AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AS NEEDED. LEAD REDUCTION STRATEGIES: - CONDUCTING WALK-THROUGHS TO IDENTIFY POINTS OF LEAD EXPOSURE AND RECOMMEND REMEDIATION OPTIONS. - POINT-OF-USE FILTER INSTALLATIONS, DRINKING WATER FIXTURE REPLACEMENT, AND OTHER REMEDIATION STRATEGIES. - DEVELOPING SITE-SPECIFIC LEAD REMEDIATION PLANS. EDUCATION/OUTREACH: - DEVELOPING SITE-SPECIFIC EDUCATION/OUTREACH PLANS. - CONDUCTING TARGETED OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES. WATER SAMPLING/MAINTENANCE: - DEVELOPING SITE-SPECIFIC POST-INSTALLATION SAMPLING AND MAINTENANCE PLANS. - DEVELOPING SITE-SPECIFIC LEAD REDUCTION SUSTAINABILITY PLANS. - COLLECTING WATER SAMPLES BEFORE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, RIGHT AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF A LEAD REMEDIATION STRATEGY, AND ONCE A MONTH FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS POST-INSTALLATION. - PROVIDING REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS FOR 3-6 MONTHS FOLLOWING INSTALLATION. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDS WILL FUND THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: - THE PLANNING AND INSTALLATION OF LEAD REMEDIATION ACTIONS AND COSTS (E.G. FILLING STATIONS, POINT OF USE FILTER, REPLACING FIXTURES, ETC.) - MEETINGS WITH PRIMACY AGENCIES - MEETINGS WITH PARTNERS - OUTREACH AND COORDINATION WITH SCHOOL/CHILDCARE FACILITIES (DEVELOPING AGREEMENTS, SITE VISITS, CONDUCTING SITE ASSESSMENTS, DEVELOPING GUIDANCE ON IMPLEMENTATION, PROCUREMENT SUPPORT FOR REQUIRED CONTRACTORS) - DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAMPLING PLANS - DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABILITY PLANS - SCHOOL/CHILDCARE FACILITY STAFF TRAINING, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: - 54 LEAD EXPOSURE SITE ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED. - 54 LEAD REMEDIATION, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, SAMPLING AND MAINTENANCE, AND LEAD REDUCTION SUSTAINABILITY PLANS. - 150 WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS INSTALLED AT DRINKING WATER OUTLETS CONTAINING LEAD. - 150 BASELINE WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DRINKING WATER OUTLETS CONTAINING LEAD. - 150 WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DRINKING WATER OUTLETS IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION OF LEAD REMEDIATION STRATEGIES. - 900 MONTHLY POST-INSTALLATION WATER SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DRINKING WATER OUTLETS WITH LEAD REMEDIATION STRATEGIES. - 9 COMMUNITY EVENTS. - 9 CASE STUDIES ON LEAD REMEDIATION IN SCHOOLS/CHILD CARE FACILITIES. - 1 WEBINAR ON PROJECT RESULTS AND LESSONS LEARNED. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: - A REDUCTION OF LEAD EXPOSURE IN RURAL, DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

DESCRIPTION:COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND THE SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' WILL PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION (NGWA), TEXAS AANDM UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (TAMU), AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I) TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF IN-PERSON TA ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH AND REMOTE TRAINING/SUPPORT WHERE NEEDED. OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE AND INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, AND PRIVATE WELL STAKEHOLDERS; PRIVATE WELL ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED AND WELL TESTING KITS DISTRIBUTED AND UTILIZED ALONG WITH FOLLOW-UP TA AS NEEDED SO WELL OWNERS CAN TAKE ACTION ON IDENTIFIED AREAS OF CONCERN AND/OR POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING TESTING FOR PFAS WHEN MERITED; TAILORED WEBINARS ON REGIONALLY SPECIFIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND BEST PRACTICES TO AVOID CONTAMINATION AND/OR OTHER EMERGING THREATS TO PRIVATE WELLS SUCH AS PFAS, LEAD, AND/OR ROAD SALT; SELF-PACED ELEARNING COURSES FOR WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; CURRENT AND TRUSTED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS INCLUDING ELECTRONIC AND HARD COPY; ON-DEMAND PHONE ASSISTANCE THROUGH AN IMPROVED NATIONAL HELP CENTER/HOTLINE ACCOMPANIED BY EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND CHAT ASSISTANCE, WITH RESPONSES TO ONLINE WELL OWNER QUESTIONS; A NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL CONFERENCE AND AN ONGOING NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL EXPERT WORKING GROUP; WELL OWNER/STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTERS/GUIDES; PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS; AND PODCASTS; AMONG OTHERS. SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING, SUCH AS SALARIES AND FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES. DURING THE 24-MONTH GRANT PERIOD, THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL HELP PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTIING PUBLIC HEALTH.OUTCOMES:THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL ACHIEVE IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL OWNERS AND THOSE THAT SERVE THEM IN TOPICS SUCH AS PROPER WELL CONSTRUCTION, WELL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, WELL TESTING, RELEVANT STATE REGULATIONS OR PROGRAMS, OR GROUND WATER PROTECTION; AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL OWNERS REGARDING OPTIONS FOR CONNECTING PRIVATE WELLS TO PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS INCLUDING ACCESSING FUNDING TO DO SO AS WELL AS FOR OTHER REPAIR/TREATMENT; AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO PROTECT PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS FROM CONTAMINATION DURING EMERGENCIES OR DISASTERS; AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF GROUND WATER THAT SUPPLIES PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLSMDASH;ALL OF WHICH LEAD TO IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR WELL OWNERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE WELL ASSESSMENTS, TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, NATIONAL HELP CENTER/HOTLINE, PRIVATE WELL CLASSES AND E-LEARNING, AND CONFERENCES. BENEFICIARIES ARE OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND THE SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' WILL PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION (NGWA), TEXAS AANDM UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (TAMU), AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I) TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH. ACTIVITIES:THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE, DIVERSE SET OF IN-PERSON TA ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH AND REMOTE TRAINING/SUPPORT WHERE NEEDED. OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE AND INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, AND PRIVATE WELL STAKEHOLDERS; PRIVATE WELL ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED AND WELL TESTING KITS DISTRIBUTED AND UTILIZED ALONG WITH FOLLOW-UP TA AS NEEDED SO WELL OWNERS CAN TAKE ACTION ON IDENTIFIED AREAS OF CONCERN AND/OR POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING WELL ASSESSMENTS FOR TRIBES AND IN PUERTO RICO (THE WELL ASSESSMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AS PART OF THE EPA NPA3 23-25 GRANT) INCLUDING TESTING FOR PFAS WHEN MERITED; TAILORED WEBINARS ON REGIONALLY SPECIFIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND BEST PRACTICES TO AVOID CONTAMINATION AND/OR OTHER EMERGING THREATS TO PRIVATE WELLS SUCH AS PFAS, LEAD, AND/OR ROAD SALT; SELF-PACED ELEARNING COURSES FOR WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; CURRENT AND TRUSTED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS INCLUDING ELECTRONIC AND HARD COPY; ON-DEMAND PHONE ASSISTANCE THROUGH AN IMPROVED NATIONAL HOTLINE ACCOMPANIED BY EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHAT ASSISTANCE, AND RESPONSES TO ONLINE WELL OWNER QUESTIONS; A NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL CONFERENCE AND AN ONGOING NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL EXPERT WORKING GROUP; WELL OWNER/STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTERS/GUIDES; PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS; AND PODCASTS; AMONG OTHERS. SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING, SUCH AS SALARIES AND FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES. DURING THE 24-MONTH GRANT PERIOD, THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL HELP PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTHOUTCOMES:THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL ACHIEVE NUMEROUS OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL OWNERS AND THOSE THAT SERVE THEM IN TOPICS SUCH AS PROPER WELL CONSTRUCTION, WELL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, WELL TESTING, RELEVANT STATE REGULATIONS OR PROGRAMS, OR GROUND WATER PROTECTION; AN INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL OWNERS REGARDING OPTIONS FOR CONNECTING PRIVATE WELLS TO PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS INCLUDING ACCESSING FUNDING TO DO SO AS WELL AS FOR OTHER REPAIR/TREATMENT; AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO PROTECT PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS FROM CONTAMINATION DURING EMERGENCIES ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF INCREASED FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF NATURAL DISASTERS; AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF GROUND WATER THAT SUPPLIES PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLSMDASH;ALL OF WHICH LEAD TO IMPROVED PUBLIC/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, EJ, AND EQUITY FOR WELL OWNERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE WELL ASSESSMENTS, TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, NATIONAL WELL HOTLINE, PRIVATE WELL CLASSES AND E-LEARNING, AND CONFERENCES. BENEFICI

FY 2022 DISASTER CIRCUIT RIDER

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL PARTNER WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL AFFILIATES, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION, THE WATER SYSTEMS COUNCIL, THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND TO ASSIST WELL OWNERS IN UNDERSTANDING HOW TO KEEP THEIR WELLS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INCORPORATED. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL IMPROVE ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BY HELPING COMMUNITIES ADOPT BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY. THIS PROJECT WILL SERVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S., ITS TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS. RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND STAKEHOLDERS SERVED BY, OR WHO REGULARLY INTERACT WITH ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING WILL ADDRESS IMPACTS OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON GROUNDWATER; THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES; AND THE EXPLORATION OF ALTERNATIVES IN CASES WHERE SEPTIC SYSTEMS ARE NO LONGER VIABLE, INCLUDING INTERCONNECTION TO A NEARBY EXISTING SYSTEM OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW DECENTRALIZED OR CENTRALIZED TREATMENT SYSTEM.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING PRIORITY SYSTEMS/COMMUNITIES FOR WHICH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE TAILORED TO ADDRESS CAUSES OF COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES AND/OR TO ADDRESS LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND THE NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE DELIVERED THROUGH TRAINING AND PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES, ONLINE, AND LOCAL GATHERINGS ON A NATIONWIDE SCALE ACROSS THE U.S., ITS TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, USING BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE/ONLINE METHODS. RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL ALSO PILOT THE NEWLY DEVELOPED SEPTIC ASSESSMENT TOOL (TO BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2023 BY RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS) ON 180 SEPTIC SYSTEMS IN RURAL, DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. SUBRECIPIENT:RCAP WILL PROVIDE GRANT SUB-AWARDS TO PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS TO CARRY OUT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING EFFORTS FUNDED UNDER THIS PROJECT. WITHIN THIS PROPOSAL, RCAP WILL SERVE AS THE DIRECT RECIPIENT OF THE GRANT, AND ALL OTHER PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS LISTED WILL BE GRANT SUBRECIPIENTS. THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SUCH AS SALARIES AND BENEFITS, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSES. SUBAWARDEES INCLUDE: COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROJECT (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC) AND THE SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE MAJORITY OF ON-THE-GROUND SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DECENTRALIZED/ONSITE OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND STAKEHOLDERS AND THE SMALL, RURAL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. THE NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION (NOWRA) IS ADDITIONAL SUBAWARDEE AND WILL BE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING TRAINING MATERIALS TO HELP COMMUNITIES FIND VIABLE SOLUTIONS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT THAT MEET ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL NEEDS USING SOUND DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE CONDUCTING 130 IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, PILOTING THE NEWLY DEVELOPED SEPTIC ASSESSMENT TOOL ON 180 SEPTIC SYSTEMS IN RURAL, DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING TRAINING ON A NATIONWIDE SCALE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, TERRITORIES, AND IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, USING BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE/ONLINE METHODS. RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL DELIVER THESE TRAININGS AT CONFERENCES, ONLINE, AND IN PERSON WITH SOME MODULES WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RURAL PARTNERSHIP'S ELECTRONIC LIBRARY. RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL TRANSLATE SEPTIC GUIDES AND HOMEOWNER TRAINING MATERIAL INTO SPANISH FOR AREAS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF SPANISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES ON SEPTIC/ONSITE SYSTEMS. RURAL COMMUNITIES ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL RECORD OUTPUTS AND TRAINING CHARACTERISTICS IN ITS DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM AND REPORT THEM TO

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP). SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTWS) AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. TA AND TRAINING WILL BUILD TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY AND WILL STRESS THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATERSHEDS, AS WELL AS THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. THE END GOAL IS TO IMPROVE COMPLIANCE AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, THEREBY IMPROVING PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, COMPLIANCE, AND WATER QUALITY.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. RCAP WILL PROVIDE MULTI-CONTACT, IN-DEPTH TA AND TRAINING THROUGH MORE THAN 300 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS (TAPS) THAT WORK IN EVERY STATE, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND ON TRIBAL LANDS. THE TYPE, TOPIC, AND LOCATION OF TRAINING AND TA ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A RANGE OF TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY BUILDING STRATEGIES AND WILL BE DECIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RESPONSIBLE STATE/TERRITORY/TRIBAL PRIMACY AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, RCAP WILL UTILIZE ITS EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND INFORMATION RESOURCES, AS WELL AS THOSE OF ITS PARTNERS, TO DISSEMINATE KEY INFORMATION, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES FOR POTW AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS AND SMALL, RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES INCLUDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TA, TRAINING, AND FUNDING. TA AND TRAINING WILL STRESS THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATERSHEDS, AS WELL AS THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. RCAP WILL ALSO SPECIFICALLY PROVIDE TRAINING TO HOMEOWNERS, REALTORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS/ELECTED OFFICIALS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND PLANNERS ON ISSUES RELATED TO ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEM TYPES, COST, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL INVOLVE CONDUCTING AN INITIAL TMF NEEDS ASSESSMENT WHERE APPROPRIATE; DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY WORKPLAN BASED ON THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED; PROVIDING TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM RCAP, EPA, AND OTHER SOURCES; CONDUCTING MULTIPLE SITE VISITS, PHONE CALLS, AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE; WORKING TO RESOLVE IDENTIFIED ISSUES; COMPLETING A FINAL TMF ASSESSMENT WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, IF APPLICABLE; AND REPORTING ON THE DETAILS AND RESULTS OF EACH TA PROJECT. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED VIA A BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH THAT WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING, WEBINARS, WEB-ACCESSIBLE SELF-PACED MODULES, AND ANYWHERE/ANYTIME RESOURCES.SUBRECIPIENT:RCAP HAS ASSEMBLED A STRONG NETWORK OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO COLLABORATING ON THIS PROJECT. WITHIN THIS PROPOSAL, RCAP WILL SERVE AS THE DIRECT RECIPIENT OF THE GRANT, AND ALL OTHER PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS LISTED WILL BE GRANT SUBRECIPIENTS. RCAP WILL CONVENE AND OVERSEE COLLABORATIVE PROJECT EFFORTS THROUGH CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION WITH ALL PARTNERS. THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SUCH AS SALARIES AND BENEFITS, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSES. THE FIRST SIX SUB-AWARDEES ARE COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROJECT (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), WHO WILL PROVIDE THE MAJORITY OF ON THE GROUND TA AND TRAINING DELIVERABLES, AS WELL AS INFORMING NATIONAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES SUCH AS THE UPDATED AND TRANSLATED NON-OPERATORS GUIDE TO WASTEWATER AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE NEW RESILIENCY, DISASTER AND CLIMATE WORKING GROUP. ADDITIONALLY, THE NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION (NOWRA) WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAINING ON WORKFOR

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL REDUCE THE BARRIERS FOR TRIBES TO ACCESS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS. RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROPOSES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS OF TRIBAL SYSTEMS OVER THE LONG-TERM THROUGH TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE LEVERAGING OF BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS, THEREBY IMPROVING PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY THROUGH AN APPROACH THAT: 1) IS GUIDED BY CONSULTATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE FINANCING AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, 2) IDENTIFIES AND REACHES OUT TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES MOST IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, 3) UTILIZES NEEDS-BASED LOCALLY AND CULTURALLY TAILORED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND 4) INCLUDES ROUTINE REPORTING TO AND COLLABORATION WITH FINANCING AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HEADQUARTERS, REGIONS AND TRIBAL PARTNERS.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, TRIBAL PILOTS FOR SEPTIC ASSESSMENT TOOL, AND A VARIETY OF TRAININGS. THE TRAININGS INCLUDE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY BUILDING; TRIBAL TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY AND BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FUNDING WEBINARS, WASTEWATER LAGOON TRIBAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATION DEVELOPMENT; WASTEWATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION COURSES; TRAIN THE TRAINER ON TRIBAL-SPECIFIC PROCESSES; WEBINARS FOR TRIBAL UTILITIES; MAINTAIN/UPDATE A NATIONAL CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TRAINING CALENDAR; ADD AND MAINTAIN WASTEWATER INFORMATION DOCUMENTS ON DATABASE.SUBRECIPIENT:THE FOUR RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP REGIONAL PARTNERS SUB-AWARDEES WILL BE THE ONES PROVIDING THE MAJORITY OF THE ON THE GROUND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING SERVICES. THE INTER TRIBAL COUNCIL OF ARIZONA SUB-AWARDEE WILL DEVELOP A NEW TYPE OF OPERATOR CERTIFICATION CALLED THE WASTEWATER LAGOON TRIBAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATION. THEY WILL ALSO CONDUCT 3 WASTEWATER OPERATOR CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSES AND TWO IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS FOR TRIBAL WASTEWATER UTILITIES. MOONSHOT MISSIONS WILL FOCUS ON DELIVERING WORK IN THE FOLLOWING FIVE AREAS IN TRIBAL REGIONS: ASSESSMENT AND INTAKE, A COMPREHENSIVE 360 EVALUATION OF TRIBAL UTILITIES TO EVALUATE CAPACITY, PROJECT PRIORITIZATION AND SELECTION TO DETERMINE 1-3 PROJECTS SUITABLE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING, DELIVER CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING PLANS, AND SECURE FUNDING AND CONTRACTING. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SUB-AWARDEE WILL MAINTAIN A NATIONAL CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER CALENDAR OF TRIBAL-SPECIFIC TRAINING EVENTS, ADD 100+ ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED AND CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER DOCUMENTS RELEVANT TO TRIBAL OPERATORS. FINALLY, THE WATER FINANCE ASSISTANCE SUB-AWARDEE WILL PROVIDE TRIBAL-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE TO RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP'S NETWORK OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS TO EQUIP THEM TO BETTER SERVE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND SYSTEMS, THROUGH REMOTE SESSIONS ON TOPICS THAT INCLUDE AVAILABLE FUNDING UNDER THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW FOR TRIBAL UTILITIES, ROLES THAT INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE PLAYS IN TRIBAL WATER/WASTEWATER DELIVERY, STRATEGIES FOR GETTING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS APPROVED BY TRIBAL GOVERNING BOARDS, AND WHAT FACTORS MAKE TRIBAL UTILITY FINANCE UNIQUE. THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SUCH AS SALARIES AND BENEFITS, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSES.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE IN-DEPTH MULTI-VISIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, TRIBAL SEPTIC ASSESSMENT TOOL PILOTS, TRIBAL WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, WASTEWATER LAGOON TRIBAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATION COURSES, WEBINARS FOR TRIBAL UTILITIES, NATIONAL CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TRAINING CALENDAR, RURAL MATTERS PUBLICATIONS, E-NEWSLETTERS, AND CASE STUDIES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TRI

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND THE SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' WILL PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION (NGWA), THE TEXAS AANDM UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (TAMU), AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I) TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.ACTIVITIES:THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A DIVERSE SET OF IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TA ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH THAT BLENDS TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND CONCEPTS. OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE AND INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, AND PRIVATE WELL STAKEHOLDERS; PRIVATE WELL ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED AND WELL TESTING KITS DISTRIBUTED AND UTILIZED SO WELL OWNERS CAN TAKE ACTION ON IDENTIFIED AREAS OF CONCERN AND/OR POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING WELL ASSESSMENTS FOR TRIBES AND IN PUERTO RICO (THE WELL ASSESSMENT IS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH) INCLUDING TESTING FOR PFAS WHEN MERITED; TAILORED WEBINARS; SELF-PACED ELEARNING COURSES FOR WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; CURRENT AND TRUSTED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS; ON-DEMAND PHONE ASSISTANCE THROUGH A NATIONAL HOTLINE ACCOMPANIED BY EMAIL AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHAT ASSISTANCE, AND RESPONSES TO ONLINE WELL OWNER QUESTIONS; WELL OWNER AND STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTERS AND GUIDES, PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS; AND PODCASTS, AMONG OTHERS.SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING, SUCH AS SALARIES AND FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES. DURING THE 24-MONTH GRANT PERIOD, THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL HELP PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH. OUTCOMES:THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, RCAP AND ITS ASSEMBLED PARTNERS WILL ACHIEVE NUMEROUS OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: INCREASED PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL OWNER KNOWLEDGE ON PROTECTING WELL WATER QUALITY, WELLHEAD PROTECTION, REDUCED CONTAMINATION ISSUES, BETTER MAINTAINED WELLS, AND ASSISTANCE UNDERSTANDING AND MEETING STATE/LOCAL REGULATIONS IN ELECTRONIC AND HARD COPY FORMATS; INCREASED COORDINATION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES; WELL TESTING RESULTS AND ANYTIME SUPPORT AS NEEDED FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS; INCREASED WELL OWNER AWARENESS ABOUT PRIVATE WELL AND WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ISSUES; INCREASED WELL OWNER PREPARATION AND CAPACITY TO CORRECT WELL AND WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS; AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE AROUND QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF GROUNDWATER THAT SUPPLIES PRIVATE WELLS; INCREASED KNOWLEDGE FOR WELL OWNERS ON HOW TO RESPOND TO CONTAMINATION/EMERGENCIES; AND INCREASED RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE IMPACTSMDASH;ALL OF WHICH LEAD TO IMPROVED HEALTH, EJ, AND EQUITY OUTCOMES FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL BE DIRECTED AT BOTH TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SYSTEMS. RCAP WILL CONDUCT TRAINING FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATORS ON CRUCIAL TECHNICAL TOPICS. TRAINING FOR MANAGERS OF PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS WILL STRESS SUSTAINABILITY; THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATERSHEDS; AND THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. TRAINING PRESENTATIONS TO MANAGERS AND OPERATORS WILL BE MADE VIA FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, WEBINARS, AND WEB-ACCESSIBLE MODULES. RCAP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO HOMEOWNERS, REALTORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS/ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND PLANNERS ON ISSUES RELATED TO TYPES, COSTS, OPERATION, AND PROPER MANAGEMENT OF ONSITE AND DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC., IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, WILL IMPROVE THE MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF SMALL WATER SYSTEMS THROUGH TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) WITH A FOCUS ON WORKING TOWARD AN END GOAL OF LONG-TERM SYSTEM VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY AND ON MEETING NEW AMERICA'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ACT OF 2018 (AWIA) (P.L. 115-270) RULE REQUIREMENTS. A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR SOME SMALL SYSTEMS MAY INCLUDE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER WATER AND/OR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.THIS INCREASED MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT TECHNICAL CAPACITY AS WELL AND GIVE SMALL SYSTEMS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER TO THEIR CUSTOMERS OVER THE LONG-TERM, PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.

RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC., WILL ADMINISTER A NATIONAL PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS

RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS, AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH. THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL COMBINE THE GROUNDWATER, WATER WELL, AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTISE OF AN EXPERIENCED, STRONG NETWORK OF RCAP PARTNERS WITH THE INFORMATION-DISSEMINATION AND TRAINING CAPABILITIES OF RCAP TA PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ON TRIBAL LANDS. FOUR STATE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMS, ALL WITH HIGHLY REGARDED WELL OWNER NETWORKS, WILL EXPAND THEIR PROGRAMS TO BETTER SERVE RESIDENTS IN THEIR STATES, COORDINATING WITH RCAP FOR THE GREATEST POSSIBLE IMPACT. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE THE WIDEST-REACHING SERVICE POSSIBLE.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF WATER IN PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND TO HELP WELL OWNERS UNDERSTAND HOW TO KEEP THEIR WELLS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A DIVERSE SET OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT BLEND TRADITIONAL APPROACHES WITH INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS. OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOPS FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, AND STAKEHOLDERS; PRIVATE WELL ASSESSMENTS AND WELL TESTING KITS SO OWNERS CAN TAKE ACTION ON IDENTIFIED WEAKNESSES IN ASSESSMENTS; ELEARNING COURSES FOR WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; TRUSTED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS; ON-DEMAND PHONE ASSISTANCE THROUGH A HOTLINE, ONLINE CHAT ASSISTANCE, AND RESPONSIVENESS TO ONLINE WELL OWNER QUESTIONS; A NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL WORKSHOP AND WORKING GROUP; WELL OWNER AND STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTERS AND GUID

THE APPLICANT WILL PARTNER WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL AFFILIATES, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION, THE WATER SYSTEMS COUNCIL, THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AND THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND TO ASSIST WELL OWNERS IN UNDERSTANDING HOW TO KEEP THEIR WELLS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

THE APPLICANT WILL PARTNER WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL AFFILIATES, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION, THE WATER SYSTEMS COU

THE APPLICANT WILL PARTNER WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL AFFILIATES, THE ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY AND ILLINOIS WATER RESOURCES CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), WILL ASSIST SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS (POTWS) AND COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/ DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE WITH THE GOALS OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING COMPLIANCE, RESILIENCE, AND SUSTAINABILITY. ACTIVITIES:RCAP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO A) OWNERS, OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND OTHER KEY STAFF OF SMALL POTWS; AND B) COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL BE DIRECTED AT RURAL COMMUNITIES AND BOTH TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SYSTEMS AND WILL FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED, OVERLOOKED RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST IN NEED. TRAINING FOR SMALL POTW WASTEWATER STAFF/LEADERS WILL STRESS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY; CRITICAL TECHNICAL/COMPLIANCE TOPICS; DISASTER PREPAREDNESS/RESILIENCY; THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATER QUALITY; COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; AND THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES THOUGH FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING, WEBINARS, AND WEB ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES TO REACH REMOTE LOCATIONS/PERSONNEL. RCAP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO HOMEOWNERS, REALTORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS/ELECTED OFFICIALS, PLANNERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON ISSUES RELATED TO ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEM TYPES, COST, OPERATIONS, DISASTER IMPACTS, AND PROPER MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS ASSIST WITH ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS WHEN AN INTERCONNECTION OR CENTRALIZED SOLUTION MAY BE REQUIRED. RCAP WILL ALSO WORK TO HELP BOTH POTWS AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS IDENTIFY AND ACCESS FUNDING. SUBRECIPIENT:ALL SIX RCAP REGIONS WILL RECEIVE $165,000 EACH AND UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS WILL RECEIVE $36,000. SUBGRANTEES WILL USE FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/TRAINING SUCH AS SALARIES, FRINGE, TRAVEL, OTHER DIRECT, AND INDIRECT COSTS.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE 12 TRAININGS, 54 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, SIX NATIONAL WEBINARS, BLOG POSTS, MAINTAINING RESOURCES ON WATEROPERATOR.ORG AND DECENTRALIZEDWASTEWATER.ORG, AND OPERATING A PHONE LINE AND EMAIL ADDRESS DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND RESPONDING TO WASTEWATER OPERATOR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF POTW AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS AWARE OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, IN THE FUNDING PIPELINE/IN PROGRESS, AND SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS AND ACCESSING FUNDING, AN INCREASED NUMBER OF SYSTEMS WITH UPDATED RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENTS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND/OR MITIGATION PLANS AND THOSE PARTICIPATING IN UTILITY PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE RESILIENCY, AND A DECREASE OF PUBLIC AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-RELATED IMPACTS BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONING SYSTEMS, AMONG ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES. INTENDED BENEFICIARY(IES) INCLUDE OWNERS, OPERATORS, MANAGERS, AND OTHER KEY STAFF OF SMALL POTWS; AND COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

THE SMALL COMMUNITY WASTEWATER PROJECT (SCWP) IS AN OUTREACH TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC WAS

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP AND ITS NETWORK OF DRINKING WATER PERSONNEL WILL PROVIDE ON-SITE DRINKING WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND

THE SMALL COMMUNITY WASTEWATER PROJECT (SCWP) IS AN OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC WAS

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP) AND ITS NETWORK OF DRINKING WATER PERSONNEL WILL PROVIDE DRINKING WATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TR

THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP) AND ITS NETWORK OF DRINKING WATER PERSONNEL WILL PROVIDE DRINKING WATER SUSTAINABILITY TRAINING SE

THE SMALL COMMUNITY WASTEWATER PROJECT (SCWP) IS AN OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH WILL FOCUS ON ADDRESSING COMMUNITY-SP

THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF SMALL, PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL BE DIRECTED AT BOTH TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SYSTEMS. RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL CONDUCT TRAINING FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATORS ON CRUCIAL TECHNICAL TOPICS. TRAINING FOR MANAGERS OF PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS WILL STRESS SUSTAINABILITY; THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATERSHEDS; AND THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP WILL ASSIST AND TRAIN OWNERS OF ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS BY DELIVERING TRAINING PRESENTATIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS, REALTORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS/ELECTED OFFICIALS, TRIBAL LEADERS, AND PLANNERS ON ISSUES RELATED TO SITING, TYPES, COSTS, OPERATION, AND PROPER MANAGEMENT OF ONSITE AND DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (RCAP). SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL ACCELERATE CAREER TRACKS IN THE WATER UTILITIES SECTOR AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO WATER UTILITY WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ESTABLISHING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, MENTORING, OR CROSS-TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ENSURE INCUMBENT DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITY WORKERS ARE PREPARED FOR HIGHER LEVEL SUPERVISORY OR MANAGEMENT-LEVEL POSITIONS. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE CONTRIBUTION TO DESIGN OF THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM, INCLUDING CURRICULUM, AND STUDY GUIDES AS WELL AS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES TO HELP RECRUIT PARTICIPANTS. IN ADDITION, SUBRECIPIENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN CREATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE TEST BANK, AS WELL AS REVIEWING CURRICULUM MATERIALS AND PARTICIPATING IN THE DELIVERY OF SIX PILOT COURSES. THEY WILL PROMOTE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, MENTORING, AND/OR CROSS-TRAINING PROGRAMS TO UTILITIES AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF DRINKING WATER OR WASTEWATER UTILITY WORKERS RECEIVING LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND MENTORING. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT FORMALLY QUALIFY INCUMBENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY POSITIONS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, UTILITIES, AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

DESCRIPTION:THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP). SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF LAGOON WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS. TA AND TRAINING WILL STRESS FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION OF FINANCING; THE IMPACT OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGES ON WATERSHEDS; AND THE BASICS OF TREATMENT, REGULATIONS, OPERATIONS, AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED VIA A BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH THAT WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING, WEBINARS, WEB-ACCESSIBLE SELF-PACED MODULES, AND ANYWHERE/ANYTIME RESOURCES IN ORDER TO BUILD THE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL (TMF) CAPACITY OF LAGOON SYSTEMS.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. RCAP WILL PROVIDE MULTI-CONTACT, IN-DEPTH TA AND TRAINING THROUGH THE MORE THAN 300 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS (TAPS) THAT WORK IN ALL THE PROPOSED STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND ON TRIBAL LANDS AND WILL ALSO CONDUCT A TRAIN THE TRAINER TO EXPAND NETWORK CAPACITY IN LAGOON OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE. THE TYPE, TOPIC, AND LOCATION OF TRAINING AND TA ACTIVITIES FOR LAGOON SYSTEMS WILL INCLUDE A RANGE OF TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY BUILDING STRATEGIES AND WILL BE DECIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RESPONSIBLE STATE/TERRITORY/TRIBAL PRIMACY AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, RCAP WILL UTILIZE ITS EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND INFORMATION RESOURCES AND THOSE OF ITS PARTNERS, TO DISSEMINATE KEY INFORMATION, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES FOR LAGOONS INCLUDING TA, TRAINING, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WILL INVOLVE CONDUCTING AN INITIAL TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL (TMF) NEEDS ASSESSMENT WHERE APPROPRIATE; DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY WORKPLAN BASED ON THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED; PROVIDING TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM RCAP, EPA, AND OTHER SOURCES; CONDUCTING MULTIPLE SITE VISITS, PHONE CALLS, AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE; WORKING TO RESOLVE IDENTIFIED ISSUES; COMPLETING A FINAL TMF ASSESSMENT WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, IF APPLICABLE; AND REPORTING ON THE DETAILS AND RESULTS OF EACH TA PROJECT. TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED VIA A BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH THAT WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE TRAINING, WEBINARS, WEB-ACCESSIBLE SELF-PACED MODULES, AND ANYWHERE/ANYTIME RESOURCES.SUBRECIPIENT:RCAP WILL PROVIDE GRANT SUB-AWARDS TO PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS TO CARRY OUT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING EFFORTS FUNDED UNDER THIS PROJECT. WITHIN THIS PROPOSAL, RCAP WILL SERVE AS THE DIRECT RECIPIENT OF THE GRANT, AND ALL OTHER PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS LISTED WILL BE GRANT SUBRECIPIENTS. THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SUCH AS SALARIES AND BENEFITS, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSES. THESE PARTNERS ARE COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROJECT (MAP), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), WHO WILL PROVIDE THE ON THE GROUND HANDS-ON TRAINING AND TA SERVICES FOR 13 LAGOON WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN ORDER TO BUILD ADEQUATE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF RURAL, SMALL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITH LAGOON WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS ACCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING RESOURCES ON TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL TOPICS AS WELL AS AN INCREASED NUMBER OF LAGOON WASTEWATER PROJECTS/COMMUNITIES ON THE STATE INTENDED USE PLANS (IUPS) AND RECEIVING OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. THESE DELIVERABLES WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF RURAL, SMALL, AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITH LAGOON WASTEWATER TRE

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' AND STRATEGIC PARTNER, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), WILL ASSIST SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS (POTWS) AND COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY OVER THE LONG-TERM, WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH, ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES, AND IMPROVING COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY. RCAP WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON/REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO: A) OWNERS, OPERATORS, MANAGERS AND OTHER KEY STAFF OF SMALL POTWS; AND B) COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/ DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL BE DIRECTED AT BOTH TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES AND WILL FOCUS ON UNDERSERVED, DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES (DACS) MOST IN NEED, WHICH WILL HELP ACHIEVE JUSTICE40 GOALS. THE WORK WILL REACH ALL 50 STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS. ACTIVITIES:RCAP WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE ON-SITE/REMOTE TA THROUGH MORE THAN 350 TA PROVIDERS (TAPS) WHO WORK IN EVERY STATE, THE TERRITORIES, AND ON TRIBAL LANDS. RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS HAVE A DEEP HISTORY OF TRUST-BASED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOUSANDS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING COLONIAS ON THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER AND TRIBAL RESERVATIONS. THE TYPE, TOPIC, AND LOCATION OF THE TRAINING AND TA WILL BE DECIDED IN COLLABORATION WITH RESPONSIBLE PRIMACY AGENCIES AND FOCUSED ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. RCAP WILL UTILIZE THE EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND INFORMATION RESOURCES ON U OF I'S WATEROPERATOR.ORG WEBSITE. RCAP WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO UPDATE AND PRODUCE A WASTEWATER TRAINING RESOURCES GUIDE TO COLLECT TRAINING CONTENT ONTO FLASH DRIVES TO EXTEND REACH TO REMOTE LOCATIONS WITHOUT EASY ACCESS TO BROADBAND OR IN-PERSON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. THESE MATERIALS WILL BE NATIONAL, WITH STATE, TERRITORY, AND TRIBAL-SPECIFIC TAILORING PRODUCED JOINTLY BY RCAP REGIONAL AND NATIONAL STAFF. A WEB-BASED VERSION WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBRECIPIENTS WILL EACH USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING SUCH AS SALARIES, FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND NORMAL OPERATING EXPENSESOUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL POTWS THAT HAVE ADOPTED SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, INCLUDING ASSET MANAGEMENT AND INCREASED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY, LEADING TO MAKING SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS TOWARD AND/OR MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE. RCAP WILL DELIVER AT LEAST 24 TA PROJECTS WITH SMALL POTWS. AT LEAST ONE TA PROJECT WILL BE TRIBAL. EACH PROJECT WILL COMPRISE APPROXIMATELY 80-100 HOURS OF ON-THE-GROUND, LOCALIZED, AND COMPREHENSIVE TA SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, AT LEAST 12 TRAINING EVENTS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR OPERATORS, MANAGERS, DECISION-MAKERS, AND STAKEHOLDERS OF SMALL POTWS. AS A RESULT OF THESE PROJECT ACTIVITIES, THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN COMPETENCY AND KNOWLEDGE OF ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS, THUS DECREASING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RMES, AND INCREASING ACTIVE AND PROACTIVE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT. THESE OUTCOMES WILL CONTRIBUTE TO BETTER WATER QUALITY IN WATERSHEDS, WELLHEAD PROTECTION, IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH, AND AN EQUITABLE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND REVITALIZATION. MOST COMMUNITIES RCAP WILL ASSIST THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ARE LOW-INCOME AND HAVE POPULATIONS UNDER 10K. THIS PROJECT WILL REACH ALL 50 STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS.

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' AND ITS STRATEGIC PARTNER, THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), WILL ASSIST SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS (POTWS) AND COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY OVER THE LONG-TERM, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROTECTING HUMAN HEALTH, ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY, REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES AND IMPROVING COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCY.ACTIVITIES:UNDER THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY, RCAP WILL PROVIDE IN-PERSON/REMOTE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO: A) OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF SMALL PUBLICLY-OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS; AND B) COMMUNITIES/INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. THESE EFFORTS WILL BE DIRECTED AT BOTH TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN SEVERELY IMPACTED AREAS.SUBRECIPIENT:THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL USE THEIR FUNDING FOR TYPICAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TA AND TRAINING, SUCH AS SALARIES AND FRINGE, TRAVEL, AND REGULAR OPERATING EXPENSES. DURING THE 18-MONTH GRANT PERIOD, THE SUB-AWARDEES WILL HELP CONDUCT 12 TRAINING FOR SMALL, PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTWS) AND ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS. THE SUBAWARDEES WILL ALSO PROVIDE 29 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL POTWS AND IMPLEMENT 12 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS IN DECENTRALIZED COMMUNITIES. THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I) PARTICULARLY WILL ADD WASTEWATER-RELATED DOCUMENTS OR RESOURCES TO THE WEBSITE DATABASE. THEY ALSO PLAN TO POST TWO BLOG POSTS EACH OR A TOTAL OF 6 BLOGS EVERY QUARTER.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE 12 TRAINING AND 29 TA PROJECTS ON SMALL POTWS. ADDITIONALLY, RCAP WILL WORK ON IMPLEMENTING 12 TRAINING AND TA PROJECTS ON ON-SITE/DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS. THE GRANTEE IS ALSO ANTICIPATING REGULAR MEETINGS WITH STATE PRIMACY AND REGULATORY AGENCIES TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECTS. RCAP EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF WASTEWATER SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN INVENTORIED, INSPECTED, OR HAVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND/OR MANUALS PRODUCED FOR NEW OR UPGRADED SYSTEMS THAT ARE THEN IN OR MOVING TOWARD COMPLIANCE AND ON A PATH TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY/RESILIENCY. ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES WILL BE MORE SYSTEM OWNERS PROPERLY OPERATING/MAINTAINING ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS, ULTIMATELY REDUCING MALFUNCTIONING SYSTEMS. THESE OUTCOMES CONTRIBUTE TO BETTER WATER QUALITY IN WATERSHEDS, WELLHEAD PROTECTION, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND AN EQUITABLE FOUNDATION FOR REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES. MOST OF THE COMMUNITIES RCAP WILL ASSIST THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND HAVE POPULATIONS UNDER 1,500. THIS PROJECT WOULD SERVE ALL 50 STATES, THE U.S. TERRITORIES, AND TRIBAL LANDS.

UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, RCAP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO A) OWNERS, OPERATORS, AND MANAGERS OF SMALL PUBLICLY OWNED WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND B) COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

CSBG RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES PROGRAM (RCDAP) HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP, INC. (RCAP), IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES UNLIMITED (CU), GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP (GLCAP), MIDWEST ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP), RCAP SOLUTIONS (RSOL), RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION (RCAC), AND THE SOUTHEAST RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (SERCAP), COLLECTIVELY, 'RCAP,' WILL PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NEHA), THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION (NGWA), THE TEXAS AANDM UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (TAMU), THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (U OF I), AND THE WATER SYSTEMS COUNCIL (WSC) TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELLS AND THE STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT SERVE PRIVATE WELL OWNERS AND/OR ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.ACTIVITIES:WORK WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A DIVERSE SET OF IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TA ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH THAT BLENDS TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND CONCEPTS. OUTPUTS WILL INCLUDE FACE-TO-FACE AND INSTRUCTOR-LED ONLINE WORKSHOPS FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, AND PRIVATE WELL STAKEHOLDERS; PRIVATE WELL ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED AND WELL TESTING KITS DISTRIBUTED SO WELL OWNERS CAN TAKE ACTION ON IDENTIFIED WEAKNESSES AND/OR POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION; SELF-PACED ELEARNING COURSES FOR WELL OWNERS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; CURRENT AND TRUSTED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS; ON-DEMAND PHONE ASSISTANCE THROUGH A HOTLINE, ONLINE CHAT ASSISTANCE, AND RESPONSES TO ONLINE WELL OWNER QUESTIONS; A NATIONAL PRIVATE WELL WORKSHOP AND WORKING GROUP; WELL OWNER AND STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTERS AND GUIDES; PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS; AND PODCASTS, AMONG OTHERS. SUBRECIPIENT:RCAP HAS ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING A COMPREHENSIVE CROSS-SECTION OF PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS TO ADVANCE THIS PROJECT. 1) U OF I WILL OPERATE THEIR PRIVATE WELL CLASS (PWC) PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES A SELF-PACED ONLINE LEARNING COURSE, WEBINARS, VIDEOS, PRESENTATIONS, AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO WELL OWNERS (U OF I WILL PROVIDE EXPERTISE THROUGH ITS GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGISTS, GEOLOGISTS, CHEMISTS, AND ENGINEERS THAT CONDUCT APPLIED GROUNDWATER SCIENCE RESEARCH AND WATER TESTING. U OF I WILL PROVIDE TRAINING CEUS); 2) NGWA WILL PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE EDUCATION FOR COMMUNITIES SERVED PRIMARILY BY PRIVATE WELLS AND EXTEND THEIR OUTREACH PROGRAM ON WELLOWNER.ORG THROUGH CONTINUED MAINTENANCE, UPDATED EDUCATION MATERIALS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF WELL OWNER GUIDE BOOKLETS (NGWA AND ITS NATIONWIDE MEMBERS REPRESENT DRILLERS, SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND OTHER RELATED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, WHO WILL BE UTILIZED TO ASSIST IN AND PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM); 3) WSC WILL HOST AND DELIVER THEIR SUCCESSFUL WELL OWNER PHONE, EMAIL, AND CHAT HOTLINE AND CALL TRACKING SYSTEM (WSC AND ITS MEMBERS REPRESENT WATER WELL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURERS THAT WILL BE A RESOURCE FOR THE TEAM DURING THIS EFFORT); 4) NEHA WILL PROVIDE A FOUR-HOUR WORKSHOP ON PRIVATE WELL ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE, SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE 2023 NEHA ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE CATERING TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND PRIVATE WELL PROFESSIONALS, PROVIDING CEUS TO ELIGIBLE ATTENDEES (NEHA AND ITS MEMBERS REPRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH WELL OWNERS THROUGH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING STATE AFFILIATE ASSOCIATIONS. NEHA CREDENTIALS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, A CREDENTIAL THAT REQUIRES CONTINUING EDUCATION TO MAINTAIN); AND 5) TAMU WILL BUILD ON THEIR WELLR ESPECTED AND COMPREHENSIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM, EXTENDING THEIR EXISTING WELL OWNER WORKSHOPS, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH TO PRIVATE WELL OWNERS IN TEXAS. OUTCOMES:THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, RCAP AND ITS ASSEMBLED PARTNERS WILL ACHIEVE NUMEROUS OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: INC

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WW TECHNICAL ASST. AND TRAINING GRANTS - X YEAR

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

ENHANCING RURAL INNOVATION PROJECT (RCAP W. OECD)

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 2017 DISASTERS GRANTS

RCAP AND ITS PARTNERS WILL OFFER A TRIBAL UTILITY GOVERNANCE PROGRAM (TUG) WHICH WILL BE A COORDINATED, TRIBAL-SPECIFIC PROGRAM OF PROVIDING TRAINING

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WW TECHNICAL ASST. AND TRAINING GRANTS - X YEAR

CSBG/RCDAP/HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM: WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

RCAP-NLC RURAL-URBAN CONNECTIONS RESEARCH & POLICY PROJECT

DESCRIPTION:THE RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP INCORPORATED (RCAP), IN COORDINATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), WILL PROVIDE THE OVERALL LEADERSHIP TO SUCCESSFULLY PLAN AND IMPLEMENT AN ANNUAL STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) TRAINING WORKSHOP EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. THE WORKSHOPS WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FOR STATE GOVERNMENT MANAGERS AND OTHER PRACTITIONERS/EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING THAT WILL INCLUDE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CLEAN WATER (CW) AND DRINKING WATER (DW) SRF PROGRAMS, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO FINANCE WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING AROUND COMMON MANAGEMENT ISSUES, IMPROVING SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY, AND MANY OTHER KEY AREAS FOR SRF PROGRAM OFFICIALS AND INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS. AS A NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER WITH EXTENSIVE EXISTING STATE SRF, PRIMACY, AND EPA RELATIONSHIPS AND A RECORD OF HELPING RURAL COMMUNITIES ACCESS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS EVERY YEAR, RCAP IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO EXECUTE THESE WORKSHOPS AND ENSURE THAT SMALL SYSTEMS, WHICH MAKE UP THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY'S WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES, ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEARNING, NETWORKING AND DIALOGUE THESE WORKSHOPS WILL PROVIDE.ACTIVITIES:THE SRF TRAINING WORKSHOPS THAT RCAP WILL PUT ON COVERS A RANGE OF SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT IN FINANCING, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, AND PROGRAMMATIC MANAGEMENT. THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED UNDER THIS PROPOSED PROJECT WILL INCLUDE FOUR ANNUAL NATIONAL SRF TRAINING WORKSHOPS HOSTED IN FOUR DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY, EACH BEING THREE DAYS IN LENGTH WITH AN OPTIONAL SITE VISIT INCLUDED. WORKSHOPS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 300-350 ATTENDEES, APPROXIMATELY 90% OF WHOM WOULD REPRESENT STATES/TERRITORIES AND THE REST BEING FEDERAL AND KEY NONPROFIT PARTNERS, SUCH AS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED STAKEHOLDERS. THE SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE A FOCUS ON (1) NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CLEAN WATER AND DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING PROGRAMS AND WILL FEATURE CONTENT ON IDENTIFICATION OF PROGRAM INNOVATIONS AND BEST PRACTICES, (2) PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING/NETWORKING, ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW AND JUSTICE40, (3) IDENTIFYING AND ACHIEVING ENVIRONMENTAL OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES (IMPROVED WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH), (4) ENCOURAGING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES WHEN DEALING WITH THE PROGRAMMATIC AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF EACH PROGRAM, (5) INNOVATIVE APPROACHES USED BY SRF PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY (INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION), AND MORE. PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE WORKSHOPS WILL BE CREATED AND DISSEMINATED TO PROSPECTIVE ATTENDEES. WORKSHOP TRAINING MATERIALS RELATED TO CW AND DW SRF PROGRAMS WILL BE CREATED AND DISSEMINATED TO WORKSHOP ATTENDEES, AS WELL AS WIDELY AVAILABLE TO STAKEHOLDERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE HIGH-QUALITY, INTERACTIVE, AND INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS THAT WILL HELP ENSURE THAT SMALL SYSTEMS, WHICH MAKE UP THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY'S WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES, ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEARNING, NETWORKING AND DIALOGUE THAT THESE WORKSHOPS WILL PROVIDE. THESE WILL INCLUDE FOUR ANNUAL NATIONAL SRF TRAINING WORKSHOPS HOSTED IN FOUR DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY, EACH BEING THREE DAYS IN LENGTH WITH AN OPTIONAL SITE VISIT INCLUDED, AS WELL AS PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING/NETWORKING. IN ADDITION, WORKSHOP TRAINING MATERIALS RELATED TO CW AND DW SRF PROGRAMS WILL BE CREATED AND DISSEMINATED TO WORKSHOP ATTENDEES, AS WELL AS WIDELY AVAILABLE TO STAKEHOLDERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE. AS IS TYPICAL WITH ALL MAJOR RCAP TRAINING WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS, INDIVIDUAL SESSION SURVEYS AND A CONFERENCE-WIDE PARTICIPANT SURVEY WILL BE DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED WITH QUESTIONS

THE APPLICANT WILL PARTNER WITH ITS SIX REGIONAL AFFILITATES AND WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY AND ILLINOIS WATER RESOURCES CENTER AT THE UNIV

CF CY 2022 DISASTER GRANTS - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

COMMUNITY FACILITY DISASTER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING GRANTS

RCAP WILL DEVELOP AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM TO TRAIN AND CREDENTIAL DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS THAT IS BASED ON A JOB ANALYSIS AND NEED-TO-KNOW CRITERIA. THE PROGRAM WILL FOLLOW THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROCESS TO DETERMINE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES THAT DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS NEED TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ROLES WITHIN THEIR UTILITIES. PSYCHOMETRICIANS ARE EXPERTS WITHIN THE PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION FIELDS DEVOTED TO TESTING, MEASUREMENT, AND ASSESSMENT. FOLLOWING THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROCESS IS A BEST PRACTICE IN DEVELOPING CREDENTIALING EXAMS. UNDER THIS INITIAL PHASE OF A LARGER, LONGER-TERM PROGRAM, A TEAM OF DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL LEADERS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WILL DEVELOP A JOB ANALYSIS AND NEED-TO-KNOW CRITERIA, LISTING THE TASKS AND COMPETENCIES THAT ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS NEED TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES. THAT LIST WILL THEN BE VALIDATED BY HUNDREDS OF OTHER DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATIVE PROFE

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

WWD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & TRAINING GRANTS