Monday, September 29, 2014

Fayatteville State University Wins $749,994 Grant to Broaden STEM from Dept of Education



FSU News

CDHS partners with the School of Education to Win $749,994 Grant from the Department of Education to Broaden the Participation of Students with Disabilities in STEM

September 26, 2014 

Fayetteville State University’s (FSU) Center for Defense and Homeland Security (CDHS), in collaboration with the School of Education, developed a winning proposal in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program. This proposal was developed by former and current CDHS Scholars, Dr. Kelly Charles and Dr. Marlina Duncan.

Project “Science, Technology, Engineering, Advocacy and Mathematics (STEAM)” is designed to equip post-secondary and college-level students with diagnosed disabilities (i.e. students identified as disabled Veterans, wounded service members, and those from other underrepresented gender and minority groups) with the necessary skills and advocacy strategies required to compete favorably with non-disabled or non-minority workers in STEM-related career fields or graduate programs, including those related to defense and homeland security. Project STEAM will provide an enhanced learning environment through better trained STEM faculty in areas like differentiated instruction, transition support for students with exceptional learning needs and their families, as well as mentoring and learning community engagement for students who might be considered non-competitive on a customary STEM career path.

This Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program STEAM grant will also facilitate institutional transformation in terms of teaching capabilities, commensurate with the mission statement of Fayetteville State University, which states that “Committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and service, the university extends its services and programs to the community, including the military and other educational institutions throughout North Carolina, the nation, and the world.”

“Support of the STEAM Project by the Department of Education will improve the quality of STEM education, increase enrollment, retention, persistence, and graduation of undergraduate,” said FSU Chancellor James Anderson. “With a stronger STEM background, these students will be exceptionally well prepared for graduate school and be highly competitive for graduate fellowships as well as become major contributors to the Nation’s STEM workforce.”

“Project STEAM is intended to address the CDHS’ focus area of STEM education and outreach which has objectives that will inspire students, parents, teachers, and the public to engage in STEM discovery and innovation; develop a future world-class STEM workforce talent pool; facilitate curricular innovations that will increase the number, quality and diversity of mathematics and science faculty, especially among underserved populations; and provide support for military personnel with STEM competencies who have a desire to transition into defense and homeland security workforce,” said Dr. Curtis Charles, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Transformation, and Executive Director, Center for Defense and Homeland Security.

Dr. Leontye Lewis, Dean of the School of Education also added that the STEAM grant provides a great opportunity for individuals with special needs, with affiliation to the military, and from underrepresented backgrounds to expand their opportunities and develop a commitment to STEM. “This grant will afford FSU the opportunity to apply instructional practices and resources that will support the needs of these students and guide them to success in STEM,” she said.

The CDHS’s 22-interdisciplinary scholars facilitate curricular innovations, research and partnerships in the areas of cybersecurity threats, national security challenges, emergency management and STEM education and outreach in preparing the next generation of STEM graduates and national security professionals. The CDHS leverages its partnerships with the military commands, National Laboratories, as well as, local and national defense businesses to expand the level and diversity of research in areas impacting defense and security, and to bring more external funding to the university in the form of contracts and grants. Over the past two years, three CDHS scholars, and eight STEM students have conducted summer research at MIT Lincoln Lab and Oakridge National Lab, while CDHS scholars have collectively published more than 75 peer-review journal articles in their disciplines.

The School of Education at Fayetteville State University is one of the oldest and most respected schools of education in this region. The School has maintained continued accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954. The School of Education is committed to preparing highly qualified teachers and other school personnel through the development, administration, supervision, and evaluation of initial and advanced programs offered and is home to three departments: Educational Leadership; Elementary Education; and Middle Grades, Secondary, and Specialized Subjects. All teacher education programs are approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education.

FSU is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state. FSU offers nearly 60 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. With nearly 5,000 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation.


For more information, call (910) 672-1474.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

FEMA Unveils National Strategy to Strengthen Youth Preparedness. September 2014

Private Sector Advisory

 

 

FEMA Unveils National Strategy to Strengthen Youth Preparedness
Ad Council, FEMA and Disney launch “Big Hero 6” PSAs to Encourage Emergency Preparedness for Kids

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new strategy to educate young people about disaster prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. The National Strategy for Youth Preparedness Education: Empowering, Educating and Building Resilience (National Strategy) couples attention on emergency and disaster preparedness with community action that focuses specifically on youth readiness for disasters and related events. The National Strategy was developed in partnership with the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Education, and more than 25 organizations have affirmed their support.

Research shows that it is important to educate and empower young people to prepare for disasters. A 2010 study from Oregon State University showed that 14 percent of children and teens had experienced a disaster during their lifetime, and four percent had been in a disaster within the past year. Of those who had experience with disaster, a quarter reported experiencing more than one.

Recognizing that children have the ability to play an important role in preparing themselves, their families, and their communities for a disaster, Disney, the Ad Council and FEMA are releasing new Public Service Advertisements (PSAs) as an extension of the Ready campaign. These new PSAs highlight several steps that kids can take to prepare for emergencies: Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Know The Facts. The new English and Spanish ads feature leading characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming film “Big Hero 6,” and they encourage viewers to visit Ready.gov/Kids to learn how to prepare for emergencies.

“Children who learn about emergency preparedness experience less anxiety during an actual emergency or disaster,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said. “This National Strategy will encourage communities and organizations to give children and their families the information they need to prepare for disasters.”

“When it comes to emergency preparedness, we know that communication and planning in advance are critical,” Ad Council President and CEO Peggy Conlon said. “Research has shown that children can play an important role in creating family emergency plans, which is why this extension of our longstanding campaign with FEMA incorporates wonderfully entertaining Disney characters that will both entertain and educate children.”

“Young people can do amazing things when given the chance,” said Richard Reed, senior vice president of Disaster Cycle Services at the American Red Cross. “Just watch an entire school full of kids evacuate in a couple of minutes for a fire drill, or listen to the story of the young man who gave his birthday money to buy smoke alarms for his community. At the Red Cross, we’re just delighted to stand with this coalition to help prepare young people and their families.”

The National Strategy presents nine priority steps to further youth preparedness education including: building partnerships to enhance, increase and implement youth preparedness learning programs; connecting young people with their families, communities, first responders and other youth; and increasing school preparedness. More information about these steps--as well as the national organizations that have affirmed their support--is available under the National Strategy tab in the FEMA Youth Technical Assistance Center at www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.


More information about emergency preparedness is available at www.ready.gov

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

African and Caribbean Business Council (ACBC). Winter Award Dinner and Business Roundtable in Philadelphia PA, Nov. 8, 2014

The African and Caribbean Business Council (ACBC)
in Association with
The African and Caribbean Alliance for Development
Presents
ACBC 5TH Winter Award Dinner and Business Roundtable in Philadelphia PA, Nov. 8, 2014
Keynote Speakers:

Hon. Dr. Stephen Kebwe:
Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Republic of Tanzania
Senator Mike Brubaker: PA State Senator, Chair of Senate Finance Committee
  WHEN
Saturday, November 8, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Business Roundtable
6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. VIP Reception
6.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m. Dinner Award.  
WHERE
The Philadelphia Airport Hilton Hotel
4506 Island Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19153
 
REGISTRATION FEES
ACBC Paid Member: Complimentary
Day/Evening Event: $150
Day Event Only: $50
Evening Event Only: $100
Sponsors/Presenting Companies: $3,000 - $10,000


image





African & Caribbean Business Council (ACBC) 5th Annual Winter Award Dinner Theme - “Promoting green energy as a way for Africa and Caribbean industrialization”  ...
Preview by Yahoo

 For more information, please contact Dr. Roger Kounga at 2675819754 or rogerswf@yahoo.com and Dr. Azuka Anyiam at 6106379284 or hanyiam@vicaservices.com

VICA Technologies LLC.
4155 Lancaster Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(p)
215-386-8140
(F)
215-386-8190

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Social Determinants of Vulnerability Framework: Incorporating the Needs of People into Mitigation, Response, and Recovery

If there were a candidate for the U.S. response to Ebola czar....
BEMA

Ms. Atyia Martin writings on her PhD, Doctor of Law and Policy Research.

https://satyiamartin.squarespace.com/

S. Atyia Martin     S. Atyia Martin
Director, Office of Public Health Preparedness
Thank you very much for taking the time to look at my research. I would also like to thank you for your work in supporting household preparedness. I completely agree that we all have a personally responsibility to prepare for emergencies: households, organizations, and government. The reality we face is that everyone in our communities does not have the ability to prepare in the way many of us who work in emergency management expect them to. Nor are people receiving the information in a way that is 'accessible' in the broadest sense of the word (disabilities, language, literacy, etc.).

My hope is that those involved in emergency management use this information to hone their outreach to those who need information and support most and that emergency plans are developed based on the actual needs of people living in their jurisdictions. Ultimately, I would like to see a higher level of community engagement on these issues by local government to better understand people's needs. Local government provides services that are meant to serve its constituents. Just as business do, local government better understand their markets so they can deliver relevant, meaningful products and services.

The interesting thing about Hurricane Katrina is that 33% of the population did not receive the message about evacuation or they did not receive enough information to take any action. This is not because they had a lack of preparedness, but because emergency managers did not consider the makeup of the population during their planning for how emergency information is disseminated to the community. There is also the reality of limited resources that prevented some from being able to do what was being asked of them. No amount of individual preparedness would have helped socially isolated people with disabilities, older adults, and those with medical illnesses who were reliant upon external services that were no longer available.

My point is that preparedness is a shared responsibility and our society is more complex than we oftentimes consider in emergency planning. Developing inclusive approaches and plans is not easy, but nothing worth achieving is.




Black Emergency Managers Association  
We Support the GC

1231  Good Hope Road  S.E.

Washington, D.C.  20020

Office:   202-618-9097 

bEMA 

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.” ― David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas



Monday, September 8, 2014

Intern Opportunity: World Food Program USA.

http://wfpusa.org/careers

WFP USA

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, reaching more than 97 million people in 80 countries with food assistance last year. World Food Program USA builds support for WFP through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States

POSITION TITLE: DEVELOPMENT INTERN

REPORTS TO: Manager, Foundation Relations
OVERALL POSITION DESCRIPTION: World Food Program USA seeks a development intern who is a college student, graduate student, or recent college graduate to support the day-to-day needs of the Development Department in Washington, D.C. The Development Intern duties may include donor acknowledgment, research, and administrative assignments. These efforts are undertaken in support of our communications, advocacy, and fundraising efforts and goals. The Development Intern will gain an understanding of how World Food Program USA’s advocacy, outreach, and fundraising efforts in the U.S. support the UN World Food Programme’s work on the ground in 75 countries.
The work schedule is flexible, but the candidate should expect to work 24 to 30 hours, 3-5 days per week, during the time period of August - December 2014.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Conduct donor research for corporations, individuals, foundations and civic organizations.
  • Assist with donor acknowledgments.
  • General donor correspondence and support.
  • Develop account strategy and draft deliverables.
  • Carry out special projects and other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
  • Strong research skills.
  • Ability to organize time and work independently as well as part of a team, follow directions, and complete tasks in an effective manner.
  • Interest in humanitarian aid/international development and nonprofit organizations.
  • Basic knowledge of database systems, and specifically Salesforce/Convio, is a plus.
COMPENSATION
A modest stipend is available.
TO APPLY
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Interested candidates should submit the following:
(Please submit cover letter and resume as a single document, preferably in PDF format, and specify “Development Intern” in the subject line.)
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Days/hours of availability
  • Start date
  • References (1-2 desired)
Emails should be made to the attention of Stephanie Eldred at seldred@wfpusa.org.
World Food Program USA is an equal opportunity employer.
No phone calls please.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Uganda Virus Research Institute. Publications

http://www.uvri.go.ug/index.php/publications/journal-publications






2012
Sobarzo Ariel, Eddie Perelman, Allison Groseth et al. (2012). Profiling the native specific human humoral immune response to Sudan ebolavirus (Gulu) by chemiluminescense ELISA. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology (2012), November 2012 vol. 19 no. 11 1844-1852 PMID 22993411. 19 September 2012, doi: 10.1128/CVI.00363-12

Trevor Shoemaker, Adam MacNeil , Stephen Balinandi, et al. (2012). Reemerging Sudan Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda, 2011.  Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, Dispatch, Volume 18, Number 9, September 2012.


2011

Sobarzo Ariel, Allison Groseth, Olga Dolnik, et al. (2011). The profile of humoral Immunoreactivity in survivors of Ebolavirus Sudan. Journal of Antiviral Antiretroviral 2011, 3:4 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/1948-5964.S1.16

Borchert M, Mutyaba I, Van Kerkhove MD, et al. Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Masindi District, Uganda: outbreak description and lessons learned. Bio Medical Central Infectious Diseases. 2011 Dec 28;11:357.


2010

Wamala, Joseph F. , Luswa Lukwago, et al. (2010). Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak Associated with a New strain of the Virus in Uganda, 2007 – 2008. Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal Volume 16, Number 7 – July 2010

MacNeil Adam, Eileen C. Farnon, Joseph Wamala, et al. (2010). Proportion of Deaths and Clinical Features in Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Infection, Uganda. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2010 December; 16(12): 1969–1972. doi: 10.3201/eid1612.100627




INTERNATIONAL RESCUE CALL’ TO HALT EBOLA EPIDEMIC. September 2014

http://africansuntimes.com/2014/09/ban-issues-international-rescue-call-halt-ebola-epidemic/ 


BAN ISSUES ‘INTERNATIONAL RESCUE CALL’ TO HALT EBOLA EPIDEMIC

WHO has donated 24 motorcycles to the Ministry of Health in Guinea to support Ebola contact tracing activities in eight districts in the country. Photo: WHO/A. Pallangyo
WHO has donated 24 motorcycles to the Ministry of Health in Guinea to support Ebola contact tracing activities in eight districts in the country. Photo: WHO/A. Pallangyo
5 September 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today vowed to mobilize the United Nations in every possible way to respond to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and issued an “international rescue call” for a massive surge in assistance, warning that “the world can no longer afford to short-change global public health.”
“The next few weeks will be crucial. The people of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in particular are looking to us for support. They are counting on us for a massive surge in assistance: more doctors, nurses and beds; more equipment, trucks and other vehicles,” the Secretary-General said at UN Headquarters.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that experts taking part in a two-day discussion on potential Ebola therapies and vaccines identified several therapeutic and vaccine interventions that should be the focus of priority clinical evaluation at this time, including two “promising” Ebola vaccines.
WHO Assistant Director-General Marie-Paule Kieny told a press conference in Geneva on the outcome of the experts meeting that it was not yet known if the therapies are 100 per cent safe or whether they will be effective. He added that their safety will be known in November 2014 and will be available for use in countries shortly after.
Dr. Kieny also noted that blood from Ebola survivors might help those who are still infected and still sick to fight the virus.
“We have agreed that whole blood therapies and convalescent serums may be used to treat Ebola virus disease,” Dr. Kieny told reporters.
“This can be done in Ebola-affected countries now,” WHO tweeted, citing Dr. Kieny.
In a WHO statement on the meeting outcome, “The participants cautioned that investigation of these interventions should not detract attention from the implementation of effective clinical care, rigorous infection prevention and control, careful contact tracing and follow-up, effective risk communication, and social mobilization, all of which are crucial for ending these outbreaks.”
At UN Headquarters, the Secretary-General warned that “the world can no longer afford to short-change global public health.”
He urged the international community to contribute to the WHO Roadmap and to provide the $600 million needed for supplies in West Africa in order to stop Ebola transmission in affected countries within six to nine months, and to prevent the international spread of the virus.
Mr. Ban was flanked by Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, and Dr. David Nabarro, the Senior UN System Coordinator for Ebola, who are spearheading the UN response.
“We are mobilizing in every possible way,” Mr. Ban said after convening senior leaders and experts from across the UN system on next steps in managing the epidemic. “We are together today to send out an international rescue call.”
He also said that there needs to be better awareness and understanding about the outbreak, and also urged airlines and shipping companies not to cancel flights and docking to the affected countries, adding that such restrictions will only keep medical teams from reaching people most in need.
Also today, a cargo plane carrying medical supplies from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has landed in Sierra Leone. The 48 metric tons of supplies include protective equipment and essential medicine. UNICEF has delivered more than 400 metric tons of aid since early August.
The agency says that more emergency airlifts are expected to continue while a steady pipeline is being established to bring supplies into affected countries by sea as well.
WHO, in its latest report issued Friday afternoon, said the total number of Ebola cases now stood at 3,944 and deaths at 2,079 in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, countries identified as “those with widespread and intense transmission.” The fatality rate is 53 per cent. It ranges from 39 per cent in Sierra Leone to 64 per cent in Guinea.
In countries “with an initial case or cases, or with localized transmission,” WHO said there have been 22 cases and 8 deaths in Nigeria, and one case has been confirmed in Senegal.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

NOAA 2014-2015 Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions

The NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions Undergraduate Scholarship Program is accepting applications.  Program encourages advisers, mentors, and potential applicants to take advantage of the NOAA resources made available in this message.  Competitive applications: (i) address the NOAA mission; (ii) have resume and personal statements that are crafted to be relevant to the NOAA mission, and (iii) have recommendations that are well developed and made relevant to the NOAA mission.

What:  Provides scholarships for two years of undergraduate study. 

Who:  Rising junior undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields that directly support NOAA's mission. 

The Program:
  • Students receive total awards valued at up to $35,000 in total support during their junior and senior years. 
  • Students complete a nine week paid summer internship at NOAA in Silver Spring, MD, between May and July of the first summer. During the second summer, students complete paid internships at NOAA facilities across the country. During the summer internships, students are paid a stipend and receive a housing allowance. 
  • Student scholarship recipients attend a two-week orientation at NOAA in Silver Spring, MD, and begin their first summer internship in early June.
  • At the end of both summer internships, students present the results of their projects at an education and science symposium in Silver Spring, MD (travel expenses paid).

Undergraduate Scholarship Application Link:  https://oedwebapps.iso.noaa.gov/uspa/


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

International OR U.S. National Exercise Event. September 11, 2014

http://www.drc-group.com/project/rrce.html

September 11, 2001 marked one point in a new era in response, recovery, and to a greater extent the PROACTIVE planning to emergency\disaster events within the U.S.  Airports, and other transportation sectors closed for days, and weeks to ensure a threat was contained and response plans reviewed and implemented.

The closing of the city of Boston, Massachusetts transportation, and business sectors closed for days to contain a known threat, a suspect in the Boston Marathon Bombing of 2013.  

BEMA members throughout the U.S, Caribbean, Central & South America, African Union member states, the Middle-East, and throughout the diaspora, September is the U.S. National Preparedness month.  Join every member of BEMA in participating in preparedness activities throughout the entire month of September.

Exercises whether in the form of drills, table-tops, functional, or full-scale are a key to determine vulnerabilities in your plans, procedures, and in communication. 

Register and plan for your communities to participate in the following FREE influenza pandemic exercise scheduled for September 11, 2014 NOT ONLY IN THE U.S. BUT INTERNATIONALLY.  

Plan for your communities to be resilient, and sustainable.  Sometimes changing one word from INFLUENZE to EBOLA, or INFLUENZA to ANTHRAX can make a difference in your community response and in saving lives.

Be safe, be prepared.

Charles D. Sharp.  CEO.  Black Emergency Managers Association (BEMA) 

Exercise Date/Time

DateThursday, September 11, 2014
TimeParticipant Login: 4:30 PM
Exercise Begins: 5:00 PM

National Neighborhood Influenza Pandemic Readiness & Response Exercise

Good & Ready, the disaster preparedness and response program of Points of Light, has developed an easy way to engage neighborhood residents and community volunteers in becoming Good & Ready for an Influenza Pandemic by participating in “Resilient Response,” a disaster readiness and response exercise hosted online and available in communities across the country.

Influenza Pandemic Exercise

For additional information and to register yourself or your organization to participate in the Influenza Pandemic Exercise scheduled for the evening of September 11, 2014 visit the following web site today:
  

This important exercise is FREE and open to the public.

Neighborhood residents and community leaders should organize their friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to participate in the exercise series.

Four steps to participating in a Resilient Response exercise:
1.     Click here for additional information and to register.
2.     Mark the date of the exercise on your calendar. 
3.     Host an exercise from your family room, office, church or school.
  1. Share what you learned on the Good & Ready website.

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