Webinar: EMForum.org SBA Disaster Assistance

U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA)   Disaster Assistance
for Homeowners, Renters, and Businesses of all Sizes

June 27, 2012 -- 12:00 Noon Eastern

EMForum.org is pleased to host a one hour presentation and interactive discussion Wednesday, June 27, 2012, beginning at 12:00 Noon Eastern time (please convert to your local time). Our topic will be the services that are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration in the aftermath of a declared disaster, including low interest loans to businesses and individuals to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed.

Our guests will include Kevin Wynne, Public Information Officer with the SBA's Disaster Assistance Office in Sacramento, CA since 2006. When disasters strike, Kevin travels to impacted communities to explain the SBA Disaster Loan Program and helps disaster victim's access and obtain long-term recovery assistance. Mr. Wynne joined the SBA just weeks after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast serving in the Loan Processing Department where he underwrote hundreds of disaster loan applications.

Also joining us is Mary "Kathy" Cook, Public Affairs Specialist with the SBA's Disaster Assistance Office in Atlanta, GA, where she is proactive in providing information on the Disaster Recovery Program as well as responding to inquiries from the media, government officials, and the public. Her experience with SBA exceeds 20 years during which time she served victims of some of the most devastating disasters including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Andrew, the Mid-West Floods, and the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.


Please make plans to join us, and see the Background Page for links to related resources and participant Instructions. On the day of the program, use the Webinar Login link not more than 30 minutes before the scheduled time. The password is attend. As always, please feel free to extend this invitation to your colleagues.

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DHHS. PTSD an on-going awareness, not just one month.

Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recognizing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month

6 JUNE 2012 ONE COMMENT

Cross-posted from HHS News: Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 1 in 29 Americans, from our country’s service men and women to abused children and survivors of rape, domestic violence and natural disasters.  During PTSD Awareness Month in June, and throughout the year, we recognize the millions of Americans who experience this challenging and debilitating condition.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death. PTSD may result in sleep problems, irritability, anger, recurrent dreams about the trauma, intense reactions to reminders of the trauma, disturbances in relationships, and isolation. Some people may recover a few months after the event, but for others it may take years.  For some, PTSD may begin long after the events occur.

PTSD can be treated. Effective treatments are available, such as exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and approved medications.  Many people with PTSD also benefit from peer support.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DOD), are supporting new research to reveal the underlying causes of PTSD and related conditions, develop better tools to identify those at highest risk of developing the disorder, and develop new and better treatments and preventive interventions. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law, HHS is partnering with DOD and the VA to share our best ideas on how to improve the quality of health care for veterans and all Americans.

If you think that you or someone you know has PTSD, you are not alone. There is help available. Talk with a caring VA counselor by calling 1-800-273-8255 (press “1”) or visiting the online VA Chat athttp://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/Default.aspx .

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) also offer a variety of resources designed to help people who suffer from PTSD, as well as aid their families and friends in better understanding and dealing with trauma’s aftermath. These resources include:

• SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator at http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator helps locate local treatment services and support for those with PTSD.
• NIMH and National Institutes of Health fact sheets and information on clinical trials and scientific studies on PTSD athttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml andhttp://report.nih.gov/NIHfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=58&key=P
• Information about bullying and other traumatic crises at http://www.stopbullying.gov.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/national-ptsd-awareness-day ) provides tools and resources to assist health care providers, educators, and families.
• The National Center for Trauma Informed Care (www.samhsa.gov/nctic) provides education and training for supporting recovery and identifying specific treatment practices to address trauma.

Additionally, a list of military family resources can be found through the following:

• SAMHSA’s Military Families Strategic Initiative web site at http://www.samhsa.gov/militaryfamilies.
• Veterans Chat for veterans, family members or friends in crisis at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org .

During PTSD Awareness Month and on PTSD Awareness Day, June 27, 2012, we focus national attention on this debilitating condition and renew our commitment to support research, education, and treatment for those living with PTSD, as well as for their friends and families.

We have a responsibility to help Americans who have lived through trauma, especially our nation’s service men and women who may be struggling with PTSD.  We owe them the care and resources they need to get well.

Dept. of Veterans Affairs. VRAP

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012.

The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:

• Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
• Are unemployed on the date of application
• Received an other than dishonorable discharge
• Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
• Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
• Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program

The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.

Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation.

High Demand Jobs

VRAP will provide training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Click here to see a listing of high demand occupations.

VRAP Applications Are Open

We are accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. Remember, to complete the application, you will need to know your direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the applicable high demand occupation.

Detection of Gladiolus Rust (Uromyces transversalis) in Manatee County, Florida

                                                                                       FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 

                                                                                       DA-2012-23

                                                                                       June 18, 2012

SUBJECT:  Detection of Gladiolus Rust (Uromyces transversalis) in Manatee County, Florida

TO:  STATE AND TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY OFFICIALS

On May 11, 2012, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (DPI) notified the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the detection and confirmation of gladiolus rust (GR) on gladiolus plants located on a commercial farm in Manatee County, Florida.  GR infestations were previously detected at the same farm in 2006, and again in 2010 and 2011.  Since then, APHIS and Florida DPI have been working together to mitigate GR infestations at this farm.

In response to the current detection, APHIS issued an Emergency Action Notification on May 14, establishing requirements for interstate movement of gladiolus stems from the GR-positive farm.  Specifically, all leaf material must be removed from the stems and the stems must be completely immersed in a fungicide solution following the manufacturer's recommended concentration and duration of treatment.  In addition, APHIS must inspect and certify that all stems are free of GR prior to interstate movement.  A list of customers purchasing gladiolus from this farm was acquired and forwarded to stakeholders so they can assess the risk and need for follow-up.  These actions are necessary to mitigate the spread of GR to other areas of the United States and into Canada.

For the United States, GR is a quarantine pest that infects members of the plant family, Iridaceae, including potted/cut-flower varieties of Gladiolus spp., Tritonia spp., Crocosmia spp., and Watsonia spp.  This rust is indigenous to eastern and southern Africa and has been reported in Morocco, southern Europe, Martinique, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico.  GR can cause severe losses of commercial host crops in all but the coldest and hottest areas of climate zones 7-12, if best management practices are not used.

For additional information regarding this program, you may contact Lynn Evans-Goldner, APHIS National Program Manager, at (301) 851-2286, or Robert Balaam, APHIS Regional Program Manager, at (305) 278-4872.

/s/ Osama El-Lissy for

Rebecca A. Bech

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine

National Community Exercises....June 30, July 28, August 25th

National Community / Neighborhood ExerciseSeries\

The series of Formidable Footprint exercises for neighborhood, community and faith based organizations continues.

June 30 – Tornado / July 28 – Pandemic / August 25 – Hurricane

Exercises have also been scheduled for the following scenarios:

Earthquake – Flood – Wildfire

The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols. The objective of the exercise series is for CERTs, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations, Community / Faith Based Organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and others to work as a team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community may face.

There is NO CHARGE for participation in any of the Formidable Footprint exercises.

For additional information or to register for up-coming exercises please access the following web site today:

www.FormidableFootprint.org

Stay informed regarding future exercises by joining the Formidable Footprint LinkedIn Group.

Please Share This Important Disaster Exercise Opportunity With Others