Monday, June 29, 2015

Cybrary and NSF $27million Grant. BEMA promotion and support of Cybrary and U.S. Funded Sources. $27 million - CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS) - Defending America's Cyberspace

At BEMA we will promote ‘free’ Cybrary (http://www.cybrary.it/ ) cybersecurity education & training for immediate job seekers, and more acceptable and traditional 'long-term' forms of education & training at HBCUs, Tribal, and traditional colleges and universities in the U.S.     CDS.  CEO. Black Emergency Managers Association.

  
CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS) - Defending America's Cyberspace

Award information Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: 20 to 30

Consisting of 10-15 Scholarship Track awards and 10-15 Capacity Building Track awards

Anticipated Funding Amount: $27,000,000

Pending the availability of funds, in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for new awards under this program solicitation. Scholarship awards are usually funded as continuing grants over a five-year period.


Program Title:    CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service (SFS)

Synopsis of Program:

Cyberspace has transformed the daily lives of people. The rush to embrace cyberspace, however, has exposed its fragility and vulnerabilities:  corporations, agencies, national infrastructure and individuals have been victims of cyber-attacks. In December 2011, the National Science and Technology Council with the cooperation of NSF advanced a broad, coordinated Federal strategic plan for cybersecurity research and education to "change the game," examine the misuses of cyber technology, bolster education and training in cybersecurity, establish a science of cybersecurity, and transition promising cybersecurity research into practice. To achieve this strategic plan, the Nation requires an innovative and efficient cybersecurity education system that results in an unrivaled cybersecurity workforce and citizenry capable of advancing America's economic prosperity and national security in the 21st century. The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-274) authorizes the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Homeland Security, to offer a scholarship program to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industry control system security professionals and security managers.

The CyberCorps(R): Scholarship for Service (SFS) program seeks proposals that address cybersecurity education and workforce development. The Scholarship Track provides funding to award scholarships to students in cybersecurity. All scholarship recipients must work after graduation for a Federal, State, Local, or Tribal Government organization in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship. A proposing institution must provide clearly documented evidence of a strong existing academic program in cybersecurity. Such evidence can include: designation by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD), in Cyber Operations or in Research (CAE-R); a specialized designation by a nationally recognized organization (for example, in forensics); or equivalent evidence documenting a strong program in cybersecurity.

The Capacity Track seeks innovative proposals leading to an increase in the ability of the United States higher education enterprise to produce cybersecurity and focus on efforts such as research on the teaching and learning of cybersecurity, including research on materials, methods and interventions; curricula recommendations for new courses, degree programs, and educational pathways with plans for wide adoption nationally; teaching and learning effectiveness of cybersecurity curricular programs and courses;  integration of cybersecurity topics into computer science, data science, information technology, engineering and other existing degree programs with plans for pervasive adoption; and partnerships between institutions of higher education, government, and relevant employment sectors leading to improved models for the integration of applied research experiences into cybersecurity degree programs.

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

Victor P. Piotrowski, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-5141, email: vpiotrow@nsf.gov

Dongwon Lee, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-4679, 
email: dlee@nsf.gov

Paul Tymann, Program Director, telephone: (703) 292-2260, 
email:  ptymann@nsf.gov

Free. Training & Education Opportunity. Public Health Principles in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response

Sunday, June 28, 2015

South Sudan: Cholera Outbreak - Jun 2015

 http://reliefweb.int/disaster/ep-2015-000073-ssd


Informing humanitarians worldwide.

South Sudan: Cholera Outbreak - Jun 2015

Overview

At the beginning of the rainy season in South Sudan, eight suspected and one confirmed cholera case were reported in Juba between 22 May and 4 Jun 2015, seven of which were in Juba Protection of Civilians (PoC) site. (UNICEF, 4 Jun 2015
Suspected cases of cholera continue to be reported in Juba and surrounding areas, with 73 cases and nine deaths as of 18 Jun (UNICEF, 18 Jun 2015). 
As of 22 Jun, a total of 189 cholera cases including 19 deaths (CFR 10%) had been reported from 44 villages in seven Payams of Juba County. On 23 Jun, the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak of cholera in Juba County. 
Following the declaration, the national cholera taskforce has been mandated to initiate concrete interventions for cholera prevention and control. (WHO/Govt, 22 Jun 2015)

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

2015. Pilgrimage to Haiti. October 14-18, 2015

HSP Logo
Pilgrimage to Haiti (The First Black Republic) October 14-18, 2015 Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Haiti Support Project
The Experience of a Lifetime
The Experience of a Lifetime
2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Haiti Support Project (HSP). During that time, as an Initiative of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, HSP has emerged as the leading African American organization “building a constituency for Haiti in the U.S.,” partnering with our Haitian sisters and brothers to support the process of democracy and development in the First Black Republic in this hemisphere. Contrary to media portrayals, Haiti is a beautiful nation with vibrant, energetic, resilient, culturally and politically conscious people who yearn for a better future. Haiti’s culture and people are its greatest assets. We believe that every person of African descent should visit Haiti once in a lifetime. This Pilgrimage will afford you an opportunity for a cultural-historical immersion with the Haitian people – the highlight of which will be a tour of the magnificent citadel and Sans Souci Palace. Haiti also has some of the most unique hotels and incredible beaches in the Caribbean and you will experience them. Finally, you will witness the work of HSP in Haiti via our various projects/programs associated with the Model City Initiative in Milot in the northern region of the country at the foot of the Citadel! So, don’t hesitate, sign-up today and embark on the experience of a lifetime with other socially conscious people, interested in learning about and supporting our sisters and brothers in Haiti!
For the Love of Haiti!
Dr. Ron Daniels, President,
Founder, HSP
What You Need to Know to Get on Board
Limited to Forty Friends of Haiti on a First Come First Serve Basis
● Cost: $1,600 per person from selected cities inclusive of roundtrip airfare, lodging/hotel based on double occupancy ($400 additional for single occupancy), air and ground transportation in Haiti, tours and receptions 
● Installment payment plan available -- $100 discount for early payment
● Donation of an “education for liberation” gift of school supplies for children in Milot where HSP supports some 4,000 students 
READ Dr. Ron Daniels Article on History of HSP
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Webinar....Getting Youth Involved in Emergency Preparedness. June 23, 2015

Webinar For Faith-based and Community Organizations on Youth Preparedness Resources and Partnerships
The Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division, The U.S. Department of Education Center for School Preparedness and Save the Children invite you to join the co-hosted a webinar intended to help connect faith-based and community organizations to tools and resources for youth preparedness activities. Audience members will hear from organizations that are affirmers of the  National Strategy for Youth Preparedness Education and how they can work alongside youth and leverage existing resources and partnerships to increase preparedness in communities.
Title: Getting Youth Involved In Emergency Preparedness
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm (EDT)
How to Join the Webinar:
·        Adobe Connect Registration Web Link.
·        Please register for the event.  Be sure to test your Adobe Connect connection prior to the meeting.
·        The webinar will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A session and offer closed captioning.


Additional Resources for Faith-based and Community Leaders:
·        Ready Kids Website

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Ed and Training Opportunity. FREE...Public Health Principles in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response.

http://phpidccouc.conted.ox.ac.uk/
ccouc

Public Health Principles in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response.  Whilst Asia is ranked as the most disaster prone region of the world in both natural and man-made disasters, research and training in the Asia-Pacific region is limited. We believe that better understanding of the disaster epidemiological profile and human health implications of disasters will enhance the response and preparedness capacity to mitigate future adverse human health impact.

A child carrying a disaster response bag in a remote, disaster-prone village in China. Photo by CCOUC 2011 - Some rights reserved
Course Overview
The "Public Health Principles in Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response" online course was developed by CCOUC in an attempt to make lessons learnt from previous disasters available and comprehensible to key stakeholders in disaster risk mitigation and the civil society. Students enrolled in the course will gain insight and theoretical understanding of the public health issues related to disaster and be empowered personally and professionally to take necessary actions in the individual, community, and national levels to reduce the health risk posed by the increasing frequency and intensity of disaster.
Course Features
  • The course teaching assistant may assist students in solving any challenges regarding the course content and answer any questions in the process;
  • The course is supported by a mobile application available for download  here;
  • The course enrich students' learning with the use of real disaster case studies, online tools and relevant international publications;
  • The course offers exceptional flexibility for participants to manage their study schedule with course material accessible online anytime, anywhere!
Target Audience
The target audience for this course is individuals studying and working in health, policy, education and humanitarian sectors. Students may be civil servants, healthcare personnel, frontline disaster relief practitioners, and postgraduate students of closely-related disciplines. 
Tuition
As part of CCOUC’s knowledge transfer endeavour, this course is offered free of charge.
Course Completion and Certification
Students who obtain 60% or above in the final assessment will be issued a printable certificate in recognition of completing the course.   
Access to the Course
Cohort 2 of the course is available to registered students only until 15 June 2015. Cohort 3 is now available and will be open for new registrations until 15 November 2015.  To access Cohort 3 of the course, you will first need to register and create an account. Once you have registered, you will be able to access the course from this page by clicking on the Cohort 3 course title below and logging in using the account details you created. The first time you access the course you may be asked to click a button to enrol yourself.


Course Structure and Delivery Format
The course is delivered through an online virtual learning space developed by the Technology-Assisted Lifelong Learning unit of the Department for Continuing Education of Oxford University. 
The course involves a total of 7 lessons, 4 short quizzes and one final assessment. Each lesson requires about one to three hours of study. All assessments are in the form of multiple-choice questions to be completed online with unlimited attempts. To progress through the course, students must obtain 80% or above in each short-quiz. Students enrolled in the course may access all learning materials and go through all learning activities online within a maximum period of six months. Topics covered in the course are as follows:
  • Lesson 1: Public Health Approaches to Medical Disaster Response
  • Lesson 2: Disaster Concepts and Trends
  • Lesson 3: The Impact of Disasters
  • Lesson 4: The Human Health Impact of Disasters
  • Lesson 5: Responding to Health Needs in Disaster (I)
  • Lesson 6: Responding to Health Needs in Disaster (II)
  • Lesson 7: Public Health Emergency Preparedness 

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Situation Awareness. Liberia reports 2 new Ebola cases. 25 March 2015

http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/483684--liberia-reports-2-new-ebola-cases#.VRRR5HmLGlg.linkedin


    Liberia reports 2 new Ebola cases

    25 March 2015 16:38 (Last updated 25 March 2015 16:43)

    The new cases have deflated hopes that Liberia might soon be declared Ebola-free







    By Evelyn T. Kpadeh
    MONROVIA
    Liberian authorities on Wednesday reported two new Ebola infections, bringing the total number of new infections in the West African country to three and putting its goal of being declared Ebola-free further out of reach.
    Sompson Sieh, the country's deputy Ebola incident manager, said one of the two cases involved an 18-year-old girl who was taking care of her 44-year-old mother who recently tested positive for the virus.
    The mother used to sell food at a local community school before being taken to hospital on Friday after showing signs of the virus and later testing positive.  
    Liberian health workers are currently monitoring more than 80 people from the infected woman's community.
    The second new case, Sieh said, was that of a young man whose girlfriend is said to be involved in cross-border trade from the New Kru Town community.
    "We are still questioning the young man and trying to convince him to tell us who he has come into contact with," Sieh told the Anadolu Agency.
    "He lives in the New Kru Town area, but was seen in the Clara Town area vomiting blood – that was how he was collected and taken to the Ebola treatment unit," the official said.
    The new cases have deflated hopes that Liberia might soon be declared Ebola-free.
    The country had another 13 days to achieve Ebola-free status before the latest infections were reported.
    Liberia discharged its last known Ebola survivor, Beatrice Yardolo, on March 5.
    The country's first Ebola case was reported on March 24 of last year in Lofa County.
    Since then, Ebola – a contagious disease for which there is no known treatment or cure – has killed nearly 10,194 people, mostly in West Africa, according to a March 11 status report issued by the World Health Organization.
    In Liberia alone, the virus has claimed at least 4,264 lives.

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