Interior Provides $1.6 Million in FY 2018 Grant Allocations for American Samoa

WASHINGTON – Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, this week announced $1,648,080 in fiscal year 2018 grant funding for the U.S. Territory of American Samoa.  This year’s funding for American Samoa will support a variety of needs in the territory from developing a disaster recovery strategy for the government financial management system, updating the government employee classification and pay system, improving sites for tourism, and certifying nurses and pharmaceutical technicians.  A portion of that funding, $200,000, will support Centers for Disease Control (CDC) efforts in eradicating the mosquito-borne disease Lymphatic Filariasis from the territory.

“Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke joins me in providing strong support for American Samoa through these projects,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech.  “All the projects serve to help the people in American Samoa either through direct services or improved government efficiencies.” 

Funds awarded to American Samoa for fiscal year 2018 follow:

• Department of Treasury – $200,200 to finalize improvements and upgrade to the financial management system with specific support towards improvement of business procedures such as general ledger, accounts payable, procurement and staff development.  In 2017, the American Samoa Government completed a multi-year effort to upgrade its financial management system.

• Department of Treasury - $296,000 to develop a disaster recovery plan for the financial management system, especially in light of recent natural disasters and their susceptibility to such.

• Department of Human Resources - $60,000 to review and update the American Samoa Job Classification and Pay Plan with goal of refocusing workforce delivery of services to citizens.

• Department of Port Administration - $292,000 to update the Port Management Information System, which includes hardware upgrade, equipment, software for automation, training, and maintenance.  The end goal is to have a paperless system with overall improvement in financial and operational efficiencies.

• Department of Commerce – $35,000 to install visitor site markers, information panels, directional signs and other visual features to highlight historic places and other places of significant cultural value to enhance the visitor experience while on Tutuila.

• Department of Commerce - $55,000 to support development of Aunu’u as a premier eco-tourism destination.  Funds will be used to repair the Aunu’u wharf, rehabilitate trails, construct a zip-line, and install interpretive panels.

• American Samoa Power Authority - $160,000 will be provided to incorporate workflow automation and document imaging solutions for document capture, storage, and retrieval.  The goal is to provide improved accounting and allow for better audit trail management.

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - $200,000 towards the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, aka “Elephantiasis”, in American Samoa.  Once identified as having one of the highest infection levels in the Pacific, American Samoa has recommitted with the CDC to revitalize efforts to eliminate the disease by 2024.  It is expected that two rounds of mass drug administration with triple drug therapy will be needed to eliminate the disease altogether in the territory.

• Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center for Pharmaceutical and Financial System Training – $60,000 to conduct training for new staff members working towards certification as U.S. pharmacy technician assistants.  An additional amount of $234,080 will be used to explore best-practice metrics in financial accountability, financial management, and related IT systems.  Training support will be included for those operating the hospital finance and information systems. 

• American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition - $55,800 continues community-based Patient Navigation Program at the Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center to improve access and guidance in cancer treatment healthcare for affected American Samoa residents.  The program fills a need to coordinate proper diagnosis and treatment once a patient has received a suspicious clinical finding indicative of cancer. Patients beginning their fight against cancer in the territory are now provided proper support and guidance to seek and navigate advanced cancer treatments in the more complex and expensive healthcare systems off-island.  This is the 2^nd year of this program. 

Funds are made available through the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs’ Technical Assistance Program.  Applications are submitted from October through May 1^st each year.  Funds are awarded once OIA receives appropriations from the U.S. Congress until they are exhausted.

The Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees Federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA supports the Secretary's mission of Fulfilling Trust and Insular Responsibilities through balancing efforts and limited resources towards stronger economic and health capacities, and fiscal accountability in the U.S. insular areas.