Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Division 20 - Division of County Operations › Rule 016.20.12-001 - Weatherization Assistance Program State Plan 2012 - 2013

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
OVERVIEW
A.
Background
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of County
				Operations, Office of Community Services (DHS) will administer the Low-Income
				Weatherization Assistance Program in compliance with Title IV, Energy
				Conservation and Production Act, as amended. DHS will administer the
				weatherization program in compliance with the applicable law, including
				regulations contained in 10 CFR Part 440 (issued February 1, 2002), and other
				procedures applicable to this regulation as the United States Department of
				Energy may prescribe for the administration of financial assistance. The plan
				is for a one year period beginning April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013.
DHS will monitor subgrantee performance in an effort to
				increase production of weatherized units. Quarterly production reports and
				leveraging reports will be submitted to DOE on time.
All units weatherized using funds from DOE will comply with all
				requirements for a completed unit and will be reported to DOE.
The primary purpose of the weatherization program is to
				conserve energy. The only health and safety measures installed with DOE funds
				will be energy-related&#8214; health and safety measures. The state ensures
				that it will comply with the DOE prudent use&#8214; policy for health and
				safety funds.
B.
General Funding
Arkansas has been advised that due to reduced appropriations
				from Congress, the funding formula has been revised and as a result Arkansas
				would not receive a funding allocation for the 2012 program year. However, DOE
				has taken into account that Arkansas has carry over from the 2011 program year
				in the amount of $
2,013, 498
;
$3,673,488
in 2010 LIHEAP carry forward funds and
$3,210,888
of new LIHEAP funds for a total of
$8,897,874
.
Arkansas will continue to provide funds to eligible
				subgrantees, based upon their compliance with all State and federal
				requirements and the successful completion of their Program Year 2011 budget
				allocation. The length of the program year will remain at 12 months. The
				Program Year will begin April 1, 2012 and end March 31, 2013.
C.
Adjusted Average
The adjusted average of $6,769 will be in use for program year
				2012. The ARRA average expenditure limit will remain at $6,500.
D.
Funds for Administrative
			 Purposes
The state uses 5% for administration. The subgrantees receiving
				less than $350,000 will be allowed to use 10% for administration.
E.
Leveraged
			 Resources
Sub grantees provide a variety of services for low-income
				clients as a part of their overall mission. As a result, they are adept at
				leveraging other resources to coordinate with weatherization services. Most put
				together a package of services to assist low-income clients with other housing
				and social service needs as part of providing Program services. DOE defines
				leveraging as the obtaining of additional program-
targeted non-federal cash or in-kind contributions as a result
				of the Weatherization Program-funded activities. The term packaging refers to
				the combining of two or more sources of funds in a weatherized dwelling unit to
				expand the scope of services to a low-income client.
The Program works with other agencies to improve benefits to
				low-income clients through coordination of other funds and programs where
				possible. The following initiatives are ongoing:
Arkansas Weatherization Program is expected to generate more
				than $2 million in utility investments during 2012.
Subgrantees are encouraged to access other federal and State
				housing funds that can be used along with Program funds to provide
				comprehensive weatherization services, and additional repair and rehabilitation
				work.
OCS promotes packaging of weatherization with other funding
				sources such as utilities, the local departments of social service and offices
				for aging, and federal Community Services Block Grants and Community
				Development Block Grants. These sources represent only some of the funding that
				is available for use in conjunction with the Program to provide more complete
				energy-related services to low-income clients.
Part of each allocation of LIHEAP funds received by the State
				is reserved for the Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by
				OCS.
The local agencies will use DOE resources to leverage with the
				Arkansas Weatherization Program.
F.
Training and Technical
			 Assistance
The state will use the DOE T/TA 2011 carry over funds to
				provide training and technical assistance to subgrantees and to monitor
				subgrantees.
G.
Subgrantee Task Force
The Subgrantee Task Force is a forum open to sub grantee
				weatherization directors and staff. The Task Force provides opportunities for
				sub grantees to meet with their peers and OCS staff to discuss the status of
				the program and identify and resolve a variety of program concerns.
OCS plans to host three statewide Task Force meetings during
				the Program Year. The statewide meetings are open to all weatherization
				directors and the agenda for these meetings deal with issues of statewide scope
				and significance.
H.
Application Package
The state will comply with E-Gov requirements as prescribed by
				DOE.
The Master file has been eliminated from the plan. The state,
				however, will keep relevant information on file.
The state does not use funds for Low-Cost/No-Cost. The state
				will use the MHEA and NEAT energy audits. These plans are kept on file but are
				not included in this plan.
The state will revise the budget to include carryover prior to
				June 30.
The source of labor is no longer required to be
				reported.
The Congressional Districts served by the various subgrantees
				are included in this plan. However, a breakdown of the percentage of funds
				going to the various districts is no longer required.
The production, as required by DOE, is included in this plan.
				There are no downsizing efforts this program year.
The potential energy savings are included in this plan.
The Training and Technical Assistance Plan is combined into one
				plan. A house may be re-weatherized if it was previously weatherized prior to
				September 30, 1994.
The annual application includes both DOE and LIHEAP funds. The
				weatherization program is exempt from the Davis-Bacon Act (wage rate
				requirements).
Subgrantees use DOE funds for leveraging purposes with the
				Arkansas Weatherization Program. Electric base load measures are included in
				the NEAT/MHEA Audits.
A list of PAC members is included in this plan.
A transcript is included in this plan. The state requires
				subgrantees and contractors to maintain adequate liability insurance and
				pollution occurrence insurance.
I.
Public Hearing
The state conducts a public hearing in compliance with DOE
				requirements.
J.
Training and Technical Assistance Plan
The Training and Technical Assistance Plan is included in this
				Annual File.
K.
Client Education
In the course of performing an energy audit, the energy auditor
				is required to meet with a member of the household and complete the Client
				Education questionnaire. This questionnaire provides the auditor with
				information about the dwelling unit, the lifestyle of its occupants, and it can
				direct the auditor to areas where energy can be conserved. In addition, there
				are pertinent questions about previous health problems and occupancy practices
				that can lead the auditor to identify health and safety concerns. Once
				identified, these areas can be dealt with through various means ranging from
				client education, to corrective action through the weatherization work
				scope.
L.
Program
			 Evaluation
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
				began conducting a national evaluation of the program in September 2010. The
				evaluation will assess a variety of program structures and options for program
				development. Arkansas will fully participate in the national evaluation.
				Additionally, Arkansas has contracted with the University of Arkansas at Little
				Rock to conduct an evaluation of the program and its impact on the
				state.
M.
Grantee
			 Program Oversight
Program services are delivered through a statewide network of
				local service providers, referred to as sub grantees. OCS requires that sub
				grantees follow sound internal management policies and provide skilled
				workmanship, high quality materials, and timely production of units. The
				performance of these sub grantees is evaluated on a continuing basis throughout
				the program year. Subgrantees include community action agencies, and one
				community-based not-for-profit organization. Under contract with OCS, sub
				grantees perform a number of services, including:
a) identification of eligible clients;
b) evaluation of dwelling units to
			 be weatherized;
c)installation of
			 energy-saving measures;
d)identification and mitigation of related
			 health and safety concerns;
e)supervision of weatherization work
			 performed by staff or subcontractors;
f)maintenance of client and program files;
			 and,
g)preparation of regular
			 management and fiscal progress reports. OCS has the responsibility for overall
			 monitoring and oversight and provides an ongoing training program to improve
			 services.