Pass through grant for families in disaster area

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $2.78 million to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on August 6, 2025, under the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CFDA 97.032) to support disaster recovery mental health services in the Del Valle area of Austin, Texas. The award, obligated through September 30, 2025, funds crisis counseling and behavioral health interventions designed to address the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by individuals and communities affected by a disaster event. This Project Grant serves as a pass-through mechanism, with TDEM distributing federal resources to support localized crisis counseling and mental health recovery services that align with the Recovery core capability outlined in the National Preparedness Goal.

TDEM subsequently sub-awarded funding to the Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) of Texas, specifically through its Federal Funds Office Division, to implement the Crisis Counseling—Immediate Services Program under Disaster Recovery declaration DR4879. HHSC, as the designated sub-grantee, administers the delivery of crisis counseling and mental health support services to disaster-affected populations in Texas through its established network of local mental health authorities, community service providers, and non-profit organizations. This coordinated state-level approach ensures that federal crisis counseling resources reach affected individuals and families through established health and human services infrastructure.