TO:	All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors
FROM:	C. Suzanne Mencer
	Director
SUBJECT:	State and Urban Area Homeland Security Assessment Data

Various time constraints of the homeland security assessment process, as well as technical and performance issues related to the Data Collection Tool (DCT) and the Data Analysis Tool (DAT), have impacted the ability of states to verify assessment data. While strategies must be submitted to ODP by January 31, 2004, the data validation period will be extended to permit states or urban areas with previously submitted and/or approved strategies to review the assessment data to ensure the data’s accuracy and consistency. During the data validation period, your state should re-verify its homeland security assessment data to ensure that it accurately reflects your state’s risk, capabilities and needs. Even if your strategy has been approved by ODP, your Preparedness Officer will be able to release assessment data back to your State or Urban Area Administrator for any necessary corrections and/or enhancements. ODP will convene a meeting in Washington D.C. in the near future to discuss the data verification process and timelines.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) at 1-800-368-6498.