Upcoming Briefings: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and Sustainable Development Goals

As we further our outreach to assist and advise communities internationally, thhe following will be added to the BEMA 'Recommended Reading List'.

During upcoming weeks daily training briefings on:

-Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

-Sustainable Development Goals of 2015, and the

-UN Emergency Response Framework

to enhance, and provide a platform for continuing education as emergency managers, and international community organizations to further understanding of the overall strategy, planning, and response in the international arena.

CDS. CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association.



    http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/43291

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven clear targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks: 

(i) Understanding disaster risk; 

(ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; 

(iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience and; 

(iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It aims to achieve the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries over the next 15 years.

The Framework was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.

View full Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (in English) [PDF 423.81 kB]

State Department releases Trafficking in Persons Report. Orphaned children of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone from Ebola Crisis. Address issue NOW rather then later.

There is an immediate need in addition to the revitalization and resiliency building of the nations affected by the Ebola crisis, there is an immediate need to address the children orphaned from this dreadful disease.  Children that have lost entire family members.  Children that have lost fathers, mothers, and other siblings.  Children left alone and homeless, some with no extended family members to care and provide the basic necessities to be members of their community.

Now is the time, not 3 to 5 years to collect data on abuses that have occurred to this individuals. But now is the time to consider integrating these individuals in the resiliency building efforts of their communities and nations.  These are truly the individuals with buy-in and ownership in the successful revitalization of their communities.

These are your future health care professionals.  Your doctors, nurses, nurses aids, x-ray and medical laboratory technicians, emergency managers, city planners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, builders of the laboratories, and hospitals, that are the stakeholders that must be considered in rebuilding their nation.

Now is the time to act.

Sincerely,


Charles D. Sharp
CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association


http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/245365.pdf

Are members of the African Union nations entitled to U.S. tax exemptions? Are U.S. Citizens entitled to income tax exemption while employed in AU member nations?

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/International-Businesses/United-States-Income-Tax-Treaties---A-to-Z


http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-us-citizens-living-abroad-owe-us-tax.html

Exclusions From Income

Instead of taking the foreign tax credit, a U.S. expat may elect to exclude from gross income:

• foreign earned income of up to $97,600 in 2013, and
• foreign housing costs up to 30% of the maximum foreign earned exclusion (with possible adjustment based upon geographic location), reduced by a base amount ($15,216 for 2013).

You need pay no U.S. income tax on these amounts.

Example: Joseph lived and worked in London during 2013. He earned $150,000 and paid $36,000 in rent on a London flat. He may exclude $97,600 of his foreign earnings from his U.S. taxable income, plus claim a $8,784 housing cost exclusion ($36,000 - $15,216 = $8,784). This reduces his taxable income by $106,304.

You can elect to use either or both exclusions. They are available to each individual expat taxpayer, so, if eligible, each spouse may claim the exclusions even if a couple files a joint tax return.

Self-employed expats cannot claim the foreign housing exclusion. They must claim the foreign housing deduction instead.

To qualify for these exclusions from income, you must have foreign earned income, your tax home must be in a foreign country, and you must be one of the following:

• a U.S. citizen who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year
• a U.S. resident alien who is a citizen or national of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty in effect and who is a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year, or
• a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident alien who is physically present in a foreign country or countries for at least 330 full days during any period of 12 consecutive months.

Sendai training for local governments

Sendai training for local governments

Source: UNISDR Office for Northeast Asia and Global Education and Training Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction at Incheon (UNISDR ONEA-GETI); 

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNISDR AP); United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Europe (UNISDR EUR)

Themes: Capacity Development; Civil Society/NGOs; Community-based DRR; Governance; Urban Risk & Planning

URL: http://www.preventionweb.net/english/email/url.php?eid=45229

Sustainable Development Agenda 2015-2030. Five Points Youth Foundation & BEMA

 

25 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. And?

Twenty-five years under the Americans with Disabilities Act yet many communities are still coming to terms with inclusion for all members of the 'whole community' to be involved in all phases of the emergency management process (planning, preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation).  Individuals that fall under the ADA are just one special group within the whole community.

The homeless, displaced families, poor, and inclusion of all minority and disadvantaged groups, ex-offender, and the elderly.  Each must be involved in the process as stakeholders of the community.

The recent class action suit (http://www.cleanegroup.org/blog/court-finds-nyc-disabled-not-adequately-protected-after-sandy-disaster-planning-must-include-vulnerable-populations/#.VbKRC7NViko), and settlement have many jurisdictions scrambling to hire specialist in the field to address functional needs individuals and to interface with with 'grass roots' organizations.

Twenty-fives, what is your community gauge for whole community members?  With over 20,000 emergency managers certified by other associations, or certified by the State employed in the U.S. we can't wait another 25-years for full inclusion.

Sincerely,


Charles D. Sharp
CEO
Black Emergency Managers Association

july 24, 2015

Celebrating 25 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26, 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This milestone law prohibits discrimination and mandates equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications and guarantees the civil rights of more than 56 million Americans.  

The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and has shaped opportunities for people with disabilities in providing equal access to education, employment and to programs and services, including transportation, communications access, public accommodations, and more. 

Integrating the needs of people with disabilities into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery planning is essential to proper emergency management.  Under the authority of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides equal access throughout its services, including:

·        508-compliant FEMA.gov, Ready.gov, and America’s PrepareAthon! websites;

·        Public materials in alternative formats for people who are blind or have low vision; and

·        Ensuring all video materials are captioned.

Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the ADA, FEMA and the Ad Council launched a new public service advertisement (PSA) to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While the PSA targets all communities, We Prepare Every Day is the first in a series of videos that aim to deliver a strong preparedness message by showing people with disabilities taking charge to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies. The PSA provides equal access to all viewers and includes open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter, and audio description for viewers who are blind or have low vision

Webinars: Upcoming Webinars for African American Mental Health, and Mental Health Challenges.

FYI..

How far back in an individuals past, in a individuals culture, in the genetic pool to determine the trauma (trauma compounds itself to some extent) to determine the root cause of an individuals mental health issues.    BEMA.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser. Upcoming Webinars for African American Mental Health July is National Minority Mental Health Month. During the week of July 27–31, SAMHSA is spotlighting African American mental health. To support these observances, SAMHSA is collaborating with partners to discuss African American mental health issues in two upcoming webinars. Supporting and Strengthening the Mental Health of African American Youth July 28, 2015 | 3–4 p.m. Eastern Time The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans in partnership with HHS and SAMHSA will host a webinar to foster an interactive discussion on how we may increase the knowledge of mental health challenges faced by African American youth. David Johns, Executive Director for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, will lead the discussion. Guest panelists include: Richard T. McKeon, Branch Chief, SAMHSA Dr. Gregory A. Hudnall, Founder, HOPE4UTAH Terrie M. Williams, Mental Health Advocate Lynn Keane, Parent Advocate Register for the July 28 Webinar Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: The Importance of Talking & Tackling Trauma at HBCUs July 30, 2015 | 2–3 p.m. Eastern Time This webinar will feature definitions and examples of various types of trauma—including historical trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, race-based trauma, and community trauma—that can impact mental health, student achievement, performance, and retention. The webinar will present strategies for assessing and addressing trauma among student populations at historically black colleges and universities (HCBU), with approaches such as trauma-informed care. Register for the July 30 Webinar Suicides are increasing among African American school-aged children. SAMHSA's Suicide Safe app helps health care providers address suicidal thoughts and behaviors, even in younger patients. Learn more and download the app today. h.