Friday, April 4, 2014

Therapy to military veterans, service members, guards, and reservists experiencing combat-related PTSD

Walter Reed is currently recruiting for a study in which they provide free evidence-based therapy to military veterans, service members, guards, and reservists experiencing combat-related PTSD.  The study is being conducted at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence on the campus of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. 

All participants receive exposure therapy, which is the gold standard of treatment for PTSD. The study is comparing Prolonged Exposure to Virtual Reality Exposure (VRE) with or without cognitive enhancers.

Walter Reed is also offering two free functional MRI (brain scans) to assess recovery in those receiving VRE therapy, comparing them to healthy veterans, those with a history of blast exposure and those with PTSD receiving usual care.

For more information visit  
 
Click here to learn more about other clinical studies and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Internship Opportunity: Los Angeles Emergency Management Department

CITY OF LOS ANGELES

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

www.laemuc.org/home/Internship ∙ emergency.lacity.org

POSITION


Emergency Management Intern
SALARY   
 
 
$18.87 per hour or course credit per higher education institution
SCHEDULE


20 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks, May 19 through July 25, 2014.
DUTIES


The City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (EMD) is currently taking applications for the Summer 2014 Emergency Management Internship program. This highly competitive internship program, in the nation’s 2nd largest city, is open to graduate students interested in emergency management and pursuing a degree in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, public policy, strategic planning, public health, or a related field. Interns will receive hands-on experience, as they will be fully integrated into the Department and will be assigned projects related to emergency management. Interns will prepare reports, research, recommendations, and correspondence on behalf of EMD.

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations; work with representatives from various City of Los Angeles departments, business partners, and non-profit organizations; and will have access to City hosted emergency management training and related meetings as available.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT


EMD acts on behalf of the Mayor, the City Council, Emergency Operations Board, and Emergency Operations Organization on all matters of city-wide emergency planning, training, mitigation, recovery, and Emergency Operations Center readiness. The Department strives to increase the preparedness of Angelenos; enhance the City’s collective ability to plan for, mitigate, and respond to emergencies; and expand the City’s continuity of operations/continuity of government capabilities.
REQUIREMENTS


All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
 Enrolled in or recently completed a graduate degree program at an accredited university, preferably in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field
 Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA
 Strong oral and written communication skills; Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision; Detail-oriented; Creative thinker and ability to strategize and solve complex problems
 Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to:


Gabriela Noriega, Program Coordinator, at Gabriela.Noriega@lacity.org
Include "Internship Application" in the subject of your email



Applications are due by April 28, 2014
www.laemuc.org/home/Internship



Children with additional needs: April 30, 2014 Planning for contingencies and their future


MCDD logo 
 
 
 
Making Your Wishes Known with A Letter of Intent ~
An Adolescent Transition Lecture
 
When
Wednesday April 30, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Add to Calendar
 
 
Where
The Arc of Frederick County
620-A Research Court, Training Room
Frederick, MD 21703
Driving Directions
Greetings,
 
We hope you can join us on Wednesday, April 30 for an Adolescent Transition Lecture.
 
--Is all of the important information about your child with a disability organized in one location?
 
--Could you "Grab and Go" with this information in the event of an emergency?
 
--Does your child's next guardian know all about your child's likes and dislikes?
 
Plan NOW for your child's future by starting a
 "Letter of Intent" at this workshop!
Participants will receive a
"Grab and Go" Emergency Booklet.
 
Bring your laptop or notebook and get started!
  
  
This will be a hands-on workshop where families will begin to create a "Letter of Intent," also known as an Individual Plan of Care.  Whether your loved one with a disability is a toddler or an adult, no one knows him or her like you do!   
  
Our presenters will be:
--Jean Doyle, LCSW and Support Coordinator
--Anjela McNally, Support Coordinator
Both are with the Futures and Estate Planning Project of The Arc of Frederick County. 
  
The "Letter of Intent":
--includes all of the critical information about your child with a disability.
--includes the family's wishes for the child's future.
--is used when you are not able or available to direct your child's care.
--informs family members, professionals and support staff of the details of your child's life and care, so that your wishes can be carried on in the future. 
  
Lecture is free, and free parking is available.  Snacks and beverages will be provided. 
  
Space is limited, so click below to Register Now!
 
Contact Resource Finder via phone or email (see below) if you have questions.
  
Supported by:
Maryland DHMH Office for Genetics and People with Special Heath Care Needs, and the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
  
Inclement Weather Policy:
Please note that if Frederick County public schools are closed for the day, or close early, or cancel evening activities due to inclement weather, the Adolescent Transition Lecture will be canceled.
  
Thank you for your interest in the Adolescent Transition Lecture Series. We hope that you can join us!
  
Sincerely,
  
Jenny Jones
Resource Finder, a project of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute
1-800-390-3372
  
  

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Executive Order -- Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to South Sudan

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/03/executive-order-blocking-property-certain-persons-respect-south-sudan=

White House
Office of the Press Secretary

Executive Order -- Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to South Sudan

EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -
BLOCKING PROPERTY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
WITH RESPECT TO SOUTH SUDAN
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,
I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, find that the situation in and in relation to South Sudan, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan and the surrounding region, including widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, and obstruction of humanitarian operations, poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat. I hereby order:
Section 1. (a) All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person (including any foreign branch) of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State:
(i) to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged in, directly or indirectly, any of the following in or in relation to South Sudan:
(A) actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan;
(B) actions or policies that threaten transitional agreements or undermine democratic processes or institutions in South Sudan;
(C) actions or policies that have the purpose or effect of expanding or extending the conflict in South Sudan or obstructing reconciliation or peace talks or processes;
(D) the commission of human rights abuses against persons in South Sudan;
(E) the targeting of women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law;
(F) the use or recruitment of children by armed groups or armed forces in the context of the conflict in South Sudan;
(G) the obstruction of the activities of international peacekeeping, diplomatic, or humanitarian missions in South Sudan, or of the delivery or distribution of, or access to, humanitarian assistance; or
(H) attacks against United Nations missions, international security presences, or other peacekeeping operations;
(ii) to be a leader of (A) an entity, including any government, rebel militia, or other group, that has, or whose members have, engaged in any of the activities described in subsection (a)(i) of this section or (B) an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order;
(iii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of (A) any of the activities described in subsection (a)(i) of this section or (B) any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(iv) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.
(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section apply except to the extent provided in this order and by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of this order.
Sec. 2. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type of articles specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1 of this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with this national emergency, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.
Sec. 3. The prohibitions in section 1 of this order include but are not limited to:
(a) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and
(b) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
Sec. 4. I hereby find that the unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens determined to meet one or more of the criteria in section 1(a) of this order would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of such persons. Such persons shall be treated as persons covered by section 1 of Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011 (Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions).
Sec. 5. (a) Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.
Sec. 6. For the purposes of this order:
(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;
(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and
(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.
Sec. 7. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing this national emergency, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 of this order.
Sec. 8. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order.
Sec. 9. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit the recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in the order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).
Sec. 10. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
BARACK OBAMA
 
 
 
Press Release    
   
 
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2014
 
 
 
Chairman Royce Applauds South Sudan Sanctions
 
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Administration’sExecutive Order, which grants the U.S. the ability to sanction individuals in South Sudan who have threatened the peace and security in South Sudan, or committed human rights abuses:
 
“Five months and counting and South Sudan is no closer to finding a way forward.
 
“I welcome these sanctions. I called for them in the hearing we held in January.  Imposing these sanctions when the fighting was at its height could have been more impactful, but it’s better late than never.
 
“We need to strongly convey to both sides – the government and the opposition – that their actions to undermine peace do have consequences. When deciding who to sanction, the Administration should consider all actors, regardless of any past relationships.”
 
Note: Earlier this year, Chairman Royce held a hearing to examine the turmoil in South Sudan.  The hearing, entitled “South Sudan’s Broken Promise?,” followed a letter sent from Chairman Royce and other Congressional leaders to the South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit to express their deep concern about the growing ethnic violence and deteriorating security situation there.  
 
###
 
 

 

Monday, March 31, 2014

Jamaica needs waste-disposal policy - ODPEM

                       
Jamaica Gleaner Company
 

Jamaica needs waste-disposal policy - ODPEM

Published: Monday | March 31, 2014
Petre Williams-Raynor, Contributing Editor THE OFFICE of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has pointed to the need for a comprehensive waste-disposal policy for the island, following the most recent fire at the problem-plagued Riverton City dump in the capital.

Acting Director General Richard Thompson said the policy would address the development of properly engineered landfills for the island's major towns as well as "recycling, garbage separation, management of the landfills and a public education campaign around waste management".

"Other aspects of waste management, including the extraction of methane that comes about from the natural breakdown of waste, especially your kitchen waste, would also be covered," he told The Gleaner.

Riverton fire

The most recent fire at Riverton has attracted the ire of environmental advocates who insist it is past time that a solution to Riverton - and Jamaica's solid waste disposal challenges generally - is found.
"The situation should not revert to business as usual once the fire is out. The three government ministries with oversight responsibility for solid waste management - health, local government and environment - must ensure that urgent steps are taken to bring the Riverton dump into compliance with our environmental laws and the recent permits issued by the National Environment and Planning Agency," the Jamaica Environment Trust said in a March 20 press release.

The most recent fire — which cost an estimated $30 million to douse — started on March 16 and affected five acres of land at the site.

It also prompted renewed concerns for the health of residents of the Kingston Metropolitan Area due to compromised air quality and Jamaica's decades-old struggle with waste management islandwide.
"In looking at the present situation [at Riverton], it is difficult to manage. You are talking about over 100 acres of land, it is unfenced so now you have a security concern and you get any and everyone coming on the disposal site," Thompson noted.

Access control

Immediate next steps, he suggested, ought to include ramping up controls at the site to ensure that only authorised individuals have access and prescribe what they have access to, even as the island moves toward the development of the policy.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott, for his part, said a policy without regulations would be toothless.

"The draft regulations to deal with how we deal with garbage are with the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. I don't want to enunciate a policy that cannot be implemented because of a lack of regulation to enforce it," he told The Gleaner last week.

At the same time, Arscott suggested that current priorities rest with recycling and waste to energy.
"The general direction, having consulted numerous entities, is really to utilise the recycling," he said. "As our energy bill soars as a per cent of our economy ... we are aggressively pursuing waste-to-energy initiatives that will deal with the way we deal with garbage."

"We are in serious negotiations with a number of parties to do a waste-to-energy facility, both at Riverton and Retirement," the minister added.

The expectation, he said, is that an agreement will be reached by year end.

Meanwhile, concerning Riverton and other disposal sites, Arscott said: "We have in fact now, as we speak, a amount of initiatives of garbage separation which should reduce the amount of stuff going to the disposal sites."
pwr.gleaner@gmail.com

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