University of Maryland, Baltimore COVID-19 Recovery

Project Overview

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) modified operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All non-essential operations were halted, and education quickly transitioned to a virtual environment. As an active member of the Baltimore community, this was a difficult decision for the university to make. UMB took all precautions necessary to slow and prevent the spread of the virus, including purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operating a COVID-19 hotline and vaccine clinic, and performing additional disinfection of the campus. Hagerty was brought on to assist UMB in recovering costs associated with the pandemic.

Understanding the Mission

Hagerty’s main objective was to maximize UMB’s cost reimbursement, whether it be through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), or the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).

As challenges arose throughout the cost recovery process, Hagerty worked with UMB to effectively accomplish cost recovery efforts remotely – adjusting to the new work-from-home environment. Additionally, as a university contributing to the larger community’s response efforts, UMB incurred unique COVID-19 costs unfamiliar to FEMA and the United States (US) Department of the Treasury (US Treasury). Hagerty and UMB worked collaboratively to justify costs and source all available funding to maximize UMB’s recovery.

The Hagerty Approach

The key to Hagerty’s success with UMB all comes down to consistent communication. The Hagerty team met internally and with UMB weekly and maintained contact with FEMA representatives bi-weekly. These meetings were always fruitful and helped Hagerty get a firm understanding of not only UMB’s activities related to COVID-19 but also UMB’s mission.

As a part of UMB’s response efforts, the university entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) to provide mass prophylaxis dispensing in conjunction with the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and the Faculty Physicians, Inc. (FPI). Hagerty professionals worked alongside subject matter experts to review and assess the MOU to ensure alignment with federal program requirements. The MOU signed between UMB and BCHD established the necessary legal responsibility documentation to allow UMB to pursue FEMA reimbursement for costs to vaccinate their own faculty, students, staff, and the Baltimore City population.

Achieving Results

So far, Hagerty has helped UMB recover approximately $17.8 million for UMB across various federal funding streams. In addition to facilitating immediate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this opportunity has also afforded UMB a greater understanding of these government funding programs in preparing for future disasters; together, Hagerty and UMB have created a FEMA PA best practice guide for the University’s future use so that they can better prepare and maximize eligible reimbursement opportunities for subsequent disasters.