Thursday, January 12, 2017

2017. Volunteer to host InfraGardNCR New Member Orientations.

NEW for 2017: New Member orientations - can you help?
As part of our ongoing effort to ensure you know what InfraGardNCR can do for you, the chapter will host 3 new member orientation meetings throughout 2017.  

New members will be invited to... 
      • meet the chapter's leadership 
      • see a demonstration of the InfraGard portal
      • hear from our FBI Coordinators
      • be introduced to the Washington Field Office leadership
      • get an overview of chapter programs and initiatives
      • be afforded an opportunity to get involved in the chapters SIGs, workgroups, and/or committees
      • be provided with helpful resources available to them
Current members will also be welcome to attend.

In order to conduct these meetings, we need your help!  We're looking for hosts to provide the venue.  Venue requirements include internet availability, projector/screen, and seating for 50-100 people.  If you are in a position to host a new member orientation, please contact us!

Webinar. 1/25/2016. National Security. Financial Intelligence & Information Sharing Working Group (FIIS WG)

Jan. 25 event / webinar on financial intelligence - sign up now!
The Financial Intelligence & Information Sharing Working Group (FIIS WG) - part of the American Security Project - is proudly hosting its Annual Winter Symposium on January 25 at Booz Allen in cooperation with the Intelligence & National Security Alliance (INSA) Financial Threats Task Force, InfraGardNCR, and the American Bar Association's Section of International Law. THE EVENT WILL ALSO BE HOSTED VIA WEBINAR / PHONE. Click here for more details and to register!

The agenda includes: 
  • MR. CHARLES BRETZ, Director of Payment Risk, FS-ISAC - "The 'Sheltered Harbor' Initiative"
  • MR. YAYA FANUSIE, Director of Analysis, Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance (CSIF), Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) - "Blockchain Technology: Benefits and Risks for National Security"
  • MR. BROCK RENSHAW, Threat Intelligence Analyst, Strategic Intelligence Analysis Group, Citigroup - "Sanctions Evasion within Iran's Aviation Sector"
  • MS. SARAH LANGFORD, Data Manager, and MS. KIMBERLY HORNIK, VP Compliance and Administration, Integrity Management Services, Inc. (IntegrityM) - "Aberrancies in Home Health Agency Beneficiary Sharing: A Healthcare Fraud Analysis Case"
  • MR. SCOTT DUEWEKE, President, The Digital Identities and Payments Association's (IDPAY) - "Banking and ISO 27001 standards"
  • MR. SONNY CARPENTER, Associate, BakerHostetler - "International Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Impact on Financial Institutions"
  • MR. ADAM DRUCKER, Assistant Section Chief, Counter-Terrorism Division, FBI - "Terrorist Facilitation Networks"

    Moderators:
    • Ms. Lesley Rockwell, Citigroup and Co-Chair of the FIIS WG
    • Ms. Danielle Camner Lindholm, Whitehorse Technologies and Co-Chair of the FIIS WG and the ABA Natl Security Committee; Immediate Past Co-Chair of the ABA Intl AML Committee
For more information, please contact Danielle Lindholm at dcamner@hotmail.com

$25,000 Prize. FTC IoT Home Inspector Challenge

FTC launches IoT Challenge
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is hosting a prize competition that challenges the public to create a technical solution ("tool") that consumers can use to guard against security vulnerabilities in software found on the Internet of Things (IoT) devices in their homes.
The tool would, at a minimum, help protect consumers from security vulnerabilities caused by out-of-date software. Contestants have the option of adding features, such as those that would address hard-coded, factory default or easy-to-guess passwords.  The prize for the competition is up to $25,000, with $3,000 available for each honorable mention winner(s). Winners will be announced on or about July 27, 2017.  The deadline for registering and submitting entries is May 22, 2017 at 12:00pm EDT. For full details, click here

2017 Internship Opportunities. Nat. Weather Service.

The National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) is accepting applications for its 2017 summer student internship program. NCEP is offering up to 10 paid summer internships targeted towards current undergraduate and graduate students to work in areas that will meet the future needs of the ever-broadening weather-climate-water user community.  Students may be involved in activities that improve understanding of forecasting issues and address critical aspects of operational model development.

Students from the following majors are welcome to apply: math, physics, meteorology, atmospheric and climate science, computer science, engineering, and social science. Each student will collaborate with one or more scientists at our five centers located in College Park, MD: Climate Prediction Center, Environmental Modeling Center, NOAA Central Operations, Ocean Prediction Center, and Weather Prediction Center.

Applications are due February 6, 2017. For more information and to apply: http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/student-internships/

The NCEP Executive Officer, Genene Fisher (genene.fisher@noaa.gov), can also answer any questions you might have.

Monday, January 9, 2017

DHHS Office of Minority Health. FY 2017 Funding Opportunity Announcement

Office of Minority Health


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FY 2017 Funding Opportunity Announcement
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) administers grant programs to support projects that implement innovative models to improve minority health and reduce health disparities.
OMH has released a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for which applications are now being accepted. Applications are due by April 3, 2017 at 5:00 pm ET.
Announcement Number: MP-AIA-17-001

Opportunity Title: American Indian/Alaska Native Health Equity Initiative (AI/AN Health Equity Initiative)
Estimated Funding Level: $2 million per budget period
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2017 grant funds for the American Indian/Alaska Native Health Equity Initiative (AI/AN Health Equity Initiative). The purpose of the AI/AN Health Equity Initiative is to support tailoring or developing, and implementing, of evidence-based models and/or promising practices to help address trauma (historical and generational) existing in AI/AN communities through innovative programs.
Learn more about this FOA and how to apply.

Save the date for a technical assistance webinar for interested applicants on February 8, 2017 at 3:00-4:00 pm ET.

Register herehttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1248024142376826115

An additional technical assistance webinar on “Evaluation – Review the Basics” will be held on February 23, 2017 at 3:00-4:30 pm ET.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4463287512730060547

Presidential Proclamation -- National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2017

Answering the call.     CDS  CEO BEMA International


Presidential Proclamation -- National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2017

NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, 2017
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation wrestled with the issue of slavery in a way that nearly tore us apart -- its fundamental notion in direct contradiction with our founding premise that we are all created equal. The courageous individuals who rejected such cruelty helped us overcome one of the most painful chapters in our history as we worked to realize the promise of equality and justice for all. But today, in too many places around the world -- including right here in the United States -- the injustice of modern slavery and human trafficking still tears at our social fabric. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we resolve to shine a light on every dark corner where human trafficking still threatens the basic rights and freedoms of others.

From factories and brothels to farms and mines, millions of men, women, and children in the United States and around the world are exploited for their bodies and their labor. Whether through violence, deceit, or the promises of a better life, some of the most vulnerable populations among us -- including migrants and refugees fleeing conflict or disaster, homeless LGBT youth, Alaska Native and American Indian women and girls, and children in poverty -- are preyed upon by human traffickers. In order to rid the world of modern slavery we must do everything in our power to combat these violations of human decency.

The United States has pursued efforts to address these crimes and lift up individuals who have suffered unspeakable abuse at the hands of traffickers. Through the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, we have joined with the private sector, faith communities, law enforcement, and advocates to coordinate efforts to prevent trafficking and protect victims. Focusing on an agenda that prioritizes victim services, the rule of law, procurement of supplies, and increasing public awareness, the Task Force has strengthened Federal efforts to end human trafficking. In 2012, I issued an Executive Order to strengthen protections against human trafficking in Federal contracting, and nearly a year ago, I signed legislation that strengthened our ability to prevent products made with forced labor, including child labor, from entering American markets.

We must address the consequences of human trafficking and work to tackle its root causes. This past fiscal year, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice provided more than $60 million to community-based organizations and task forces to assist human trafficking victims, and since the beginning of my Administration, we have nearly tripled the number of victims connected to services.The Department of Homeland Security has also taken steps to streamline immigration procedures for trafficking victims and ensure their regulations are consistent with existing law. And through new Victims of Crime Act regulations, Federal funds can now be used to help human trafficking victims with their housing. Through the White House Council on Women and Girls, we have worked to address the sexual abuse-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately affects those especially vulnerable to sex trafficking -- including young women and girls of color. And the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking -- comprised of 11 human trafficking survivors of diverse backgrounds and experiences -- recently released its first set of recommendations for combating human trafficking while keeping survivor perspectives in mind.

Every action we take at home, from the clothing we wear to the food we eat, is connected to what happens around the world. As a Nation, we have worked to address the problem of forced labor in our supply chains, and as individuals, we must strive to be conscientious consumers. Working with our friends and allies, we have made this issue an international priority. Just this year we used multilateral fora, including the North American Leaders Summit, the East Asia Summit, and the United Nations, to raise awareness and work with partners around the globe. In addition to urging other countries to develop and expand their anti-trafficking laws and services for victims, we are also stepping up our foreign assistance in this area. Working alongside the international community, we have seen significant increases in trafficking prosecutions and convictions, and we have made great strides in supporting victims.

As leaders in the global undertaking to end the exploitation of human beings for profit, we must always remember that our freedom is bound to the freedom of others. This month, let us find inspiration in America's progress toward justice, opportunity, and prosperity for all and reaffirm our pledge to continue fighting for human rights around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2017 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon businesses, national and community organizations, families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role we must play in ending all forms of slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA

***************************************************

Read more:
  • DipNote Post: Confronting Human Traffickers, Helping Those Who Are Victimized


Friday, January 6, 2017

2017. January 6, 2016. Public Health Emergency Weekly Report

Public Health Emergency.  Resilient People. Healthy Communities.  A Nation Prepared.

From the ASPR Blog:  Do you know who in your community is most at-risk in a disaster?

When disasters strike, some people have a harder time making it through the disaster or bouncing back.  Does your community-based organization  know who is most at-risk in your community and do you have a plan to help when disaster strikes? Here are six critical challenges that many at-risk populations face in a disaster.  Learn More >>
Elderly black woman

Winter Weather Preparedness Basics

Cold weather, ice and snow are coming to many parts of the country this weekend - including some areas that tend to be warm and sunny.  If it has been a while since you've had to worry about cold weather preparedness, take a few minutes to brush up on the basics, get a few supplies, and touch base with friends or neighbors who might need some help.  Learn More >>
warm socks

Avoid, Spot and Treat:  Frostbite and Hypothermia

In cold weather, the body starts to loose heat faster than it can be produced, which can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. Remembering some basics can help keep you healthy when temperatures drop.  If you are an older adult, work outside, or have a small child, take extra precautions.  Don't drink alcohol or use illicit drugs.  Learn how to help someone with hypothermia or frostbite.  Learn More >>
Thumbnail of hypothermia and frostbite infographic.  Full graphic available at https://www.cdc.gov/phpr/documents/hypothermia-frostbite_508.pdf

Planning to travel in 2017? Pack to protect yourself from Zika!

The beginning of the year is a great time to plan for travel.  Wherever your travels take you, plan to take care of your health and protect yourself from Zika. Finding out whether or not Zika is an issue at your destination is easy.  If it is, pack a few items to protect yourself and your family and take a few additional precautions to stay safe and healthy.  Learn More >>
Plane

PHEMCE Strategy and Implementation Plan

The U.S. faces  a range of serious threats to its national health security from the deliberate use or accidental release of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents, as well as from naturally occurring and emerging infectious diseases. The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) Strategy and Implementation Plan provides the blueprint for the PHEMCE to enhance national health security through  the development, procurement and planning for effective use of critical medical countermeasures.  Learn More >>
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