This evening, we have further updates regarding the pause to Federal grants.
Updates:
OMB issued additional guidance: Memo-Clarification-of-Federal-Program-Pause.pdf
Positive news: agencies are working with the OMB to determine if programs are inconsistent with the President’s Executive Orders and pauses may be as short as one day
This also confirms that Medicaid is not affected
Judge Loren Alikahn has blocked the pause on Federal grants until at least Monday, February 3: Federal funding freeze live updates: Judge temporarily blocks the pause | AP News
PMS was back up and running this afternoon through 4:00pm EST and is expected to be up and running tomorrow from 9:00 – 4:00 pm EST
EHB is back up and running
NACHC has issued a release of information: Important Message From NACHC on OMB Guidance - NACHC
MSCG was notified to stop all activities including site visits, site visit reports, and special projects and MSCG Consultants onsite were to depart immediately
Learned of the questions being asked of Federal agencies:
“Does this program provide Federal funding to nongovernmental organizations supporting or providing services, either directly or indirectly, to removable or illegal aliens?”
“Does this program promote gender ideology?”
“Does this program provide funding that is implicated by the directive to end discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities, under whatever name they appear, or other directives in the same EO, including those related to “environmental justice” programs or “equity-related” grants?”
“If not covered in the preceding columns, does this program support any activities that must not be supported based on executive orders issued on or after January 20, 2025 (including executive orders released following the dissemination of this spreadsheet)?”
Additional CLC Recommendations:
Ensure you have clear documentation on the uses of your grant funds
Specifically, it is important to document that grant funds are not being used for the activities included in “the President’s Executive Orders, such as DEI, the green new deal, and funding nongovernmental organizations that undermine the national interest.”
Submit a request in PMS tomorrow (ONLY open 9:00am – 4:00pm EST). Under the Uniform Guidance, grantees may drawdown funds in advance of cash needs, 2 C.F.R. 200.305. It is recommended that you project your grant supported expenses and submit a request for a reasonable time in the future. We cannot guarantee these funds will be process or funded, but with the block until February 3, it is worth an effort.
Review job titles, job descriptions, website, social media, and other organizational documentation to make updates to align with the President’s Executive Orders
We know these updates do not correct the full issue and there are still many uncertainties but these updates are favorable. We will continue to closely monitor the updates and share any changes.
We are here to support you during this time, please reach out to us!
Phone: 509-226-1393
E-mail: info@communitylinkconsulting.com
Sincerely,
Karen Creveling-Hughes, CEO