FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 13, 2004
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Corporation for National and Community Service
CONTACT: Sandy Scott
202-606-5000 x255
sscott@cns.gov |
Training Available for Homeland Security Volunteer Programs |
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National and community service programs that engage volunteers in homeland
security have a new resource that they can draw on to provide training, updates,
and peer advice to strengthen their efforts to make communities more secure.
Known as Project TAHS (Technical Assistance for Homeland Security), this new
training and technical assistance provider will help programs develop model
practices, recruit and retain volunteers, educate the public, and build
partnerships. The services and training are available to any grantee of the
Corporation for National and Community Service, including Senior Corps,
AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Special Volunteer Programs. Other
homeland security volunteer groups may access the project’s online resources at
www.projecttahs.org
Among other services, Project TAHS offers:
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A Quick Response toll-free number at 1-800-656-3011 or e-mail
tahs@aiweb.com to access homeland security
experts for immediate advice.
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The Homeland Security Community Resource Network, a network of resource people
and organizations that will provide expert and peer to peer information,
advice, and guidance.
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Project design, planning, marketing and evaluation advice.
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A new website at www.projecttahs.org
with technical assistance resources and updates related to homeland security
issues.
The Corporation for National and Community Service has a long history of
engaging volunteers in public safety, public health, and disaster relief. Those
efforts increased in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. After those
attacks, President Bush
asked the
Corporation to devote more resources to homeland security, and the agency
quickly responded by providing $10.3 million in
homeland security
grants to 43 organizations in 26 states in the summer of 2002. These RSVP,
AmeriCorps, and Special Volunteer Program grants have supported the recruitment
of tens of thousands of volunteers for local efforts to respond to disasters and
develop disaster response plans, expand Neighborhood Watch and Community
Emergency Response Teams, train youth to cope with disasters, disseminate
information on terrorism, and assist ham radio operators and volunteer pilots in
responding to disasters. The Corporation has
renewed those
grants for their second year and
launched a new
program to engage students in making their schools and communities more
secure through its Learn and Serve America program.
“The Corporation’s homeland security projects are making our communities more
secure, both through their direct service, and through the tens of thousands of
citizens they train and mobilize,” said Corporation CEO David Eisner. “We are
pleased to be offering this new training resource to assist our programs in
carrying out the vital work of making our communities and nation more secure.”
Project TAHS is supported by the Corporation’s Office of Leadership Training
and Development. It is operated by Aguirre International and the Bulow Group, in
partnership with individuals from the Center for Public Service at the
University of North Texas and the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement.
Project Director Jane Bullock has over 25 years experience in disaster and
emergency management including serving as Chief of Staff for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Project staff include George Haddow, an
adjunct professor at the Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management at
George Washington University, with extensive experience in building
public/private partnerships, business continuity planning and local hazardous
materials and transportation planning; Ann Patton, Director of Tulsa Partners,
Inc. whose career has been dedicated to implementing innovative, community based
risk reduction programs; Dr. Nicole Vicinanza, and Ms. Anna Marie Schmidt, who
have provided technical assistance CNCS programs in evaluation design, through
their work on Project STAR.
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country
through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America.
Working with national and community nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, and
local agencies, the Corporation engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in
meeting critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland
security, and other areas. The Corporation and its programs are part of USA
Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship,
service, and responsibility, and to help all Americans answer the President's
Call to Service. For more information, visit
www.nationalservice.org.
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