Office for Domestic Preparedness 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Washington, DC 20531

ODP Information Bulletin 

No. 195 October 31, 2005 

TO All State Administrative Agency Heads 

 All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact 

 All State Homeland Security Directors 

FROM: Matt A. Mayer 

Acting Executive Director 

SUBJECT: Implementation of the Program and Capability Review 

On October 21, 2005, the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness 

sent a letter to State Administrative Agencies and State Homeland Security Advisors announcing 

the Program and Capability Review. This analytical review process is designed to assist States 

in aligning their homeland security programs with the Interim National Preparedness Goal (the 

Goal) and the seven National Priorities. In addition, the review and the Enhancement Plan that it 

produces will be key components of the application process for Homeland Security Grant 

Program funding in FY 2006. 

To assist States in this process, the Office for Domestic Preparedness will make available 

technical assistance (TA) beginning in mid-November 2005. These onsite workshops will 

provide an overview for key stakeholders of the process required to complete the Program and 

Capability Review and develop an Enhancement Plan. The Enhancement Plan will detail the 

specific steps toward prioritizing homeland security initiatives planned for implementation using 

preparedness program funding. The Program and Capability Review TA will help build a 

foundation for writing the enhancement plan and justifying proposed investments as part of the 

FY 2006 funding cycle. States should request this TA through established TA request processes 

in coordination with your Preparedness Officer. (A copy of the TA request form is attached to 

this Information Bulletin.) 

In addition to the onsite workshops, ODP has developed a State Homeland Security Program 

and Capability Review Guidebook to frame the process. This guidebook is a tool to facilitate the 

development of a comprehensive, enterprise-wide plan for enhancing State homeland security. 

Volume I of the guidebook includes a series of discussion points to assist with the review 

process; Volume II will include the Enhancement Plan template. The guidebook is being 

disseminated through: 1) Information Bulletin (Volume I is attached to this bulletin); 2) the State 

Homeland Security Assessments and Strategies Resources website at www.shsasresources.com; 

3) the ODP Secure Portal; 4) Preparedness Officers.
2 

Key Milestones 

October 21, 2005 ODP sends a letter to State Administrative Agencies and State 

Homeland Security Advisors announcing the Program and 

Capability Review. 

October 31, 2005 State Homeland Security Program and Capability Review 

Guidebook Volume I released. 

November 14, 2005 State Homeland Security Program and Capability Review 

Guidebook Volume II: Enhancement Plan released. 

November 14, 2005 Program and Capability Review Technical Assistance 

available for delivery to States. 

December 2, 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Guidance is 

released. 

February 3, 2006 Program and Capability Review Technical Assistance 

concludes. 

March 2, 2006 HSGP applications due (to include enhancement plan and 

investment justification). 

Additional questions may be directed to your Preparedness Officer or the Centralized Scheduling 

and Information Desk at askcsid@dhs.gov, 1-800-368-6498.