SBA Partners with SCORE NYC Chapter to offer Disaster Counseling to Small Businesses

New York District Office NEWS release

PRESS OFFICE

Release Date:  November 28, 2012 Contact: Justine Cabulong (212) 264-7750                                                                                       Release Number: 13-02 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/ny

SBA Partners with SCORE NYC Chapter to offer Disaster Counseling to Small Businesses  NEW YORK, NY – The U.S. Small Business Administration New York District Office has partnered with the SCORE NYC Chapter to extend resources and free counseling services to small businesses affected by Superstorm Sandy.  Services include a comprehensive business assessment and development strategy to sustain business during recovery efforts. The counselors available through the SCORE NYC Chapter are experienced business professionals, and will be able to assist business owners in planning the next steps for businesses recovering from damage, to include physical relocation and what small businesses can do now before they receive disaster loans and after.  Through the free mentorship services available, small businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy will be able to understand the outlook for their business in the coming year. “A great benefit of this partnership is that small business owners can meet with SCORE counselors now and throughout any time during the disaster loan and application process,” said Pravina Raghavan, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, New York District Office. “The state of New York has approved nearly 200 disaster loans with more to follow, and we want to make sure that business owners are supported with the best resources we can provide as we do our best to quickly and efficiently assist in their recovery.” As of November 19, disaster loans for New York have reached over $11 million, accounting for both home and business disaster loan applications. To contact the SCORE NYC Chapter to setup an appointment, call (212)264-4507 or visit www.newyorkcity.score.org.                                                                    ### U.S. Small Business Administration New York District Office serves 14 downstate counties in New York State, which include New York City (Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond and New York), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.  For more information, please visit http://www.sba.gov/ny

USHHS. Office of Minority Health. Resources.

FYI: Minority Resources...Money & More Provided by the Office of Minority Health Resource Center's Information Services Team November 28, 2012   Native American Heritage Month Resources Each November, we honor the culture and contributions of the American Indians and Alaska Natives during Native American Heritage Month. The Office of Minority Health is sharing information and resources designed to empower, educate and inform. Check out our website and follow OMH on Twitter to get the latest information.   In This Issue ... Funding   Federal Grants   Non Federal Grants   Resources   Scholarships/Fellowships Resources American Indians/Alaska Native Health Health Care Health Equity Heart Disease Infant/Child Health Funding Federal Grants Department of Housing and Urban Development: Continuum of Care Program Competition; provides support to address homelessness throughout communities. View Full Announcement Minority Population Specific: $500k or less . . .   HHS/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Natural History and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis Among Alaska Natives Grant. View Full Announcement HHS/NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: RFA-HL-13-018: Mentored Career Award for Faculty at Institutions That Promote Diversity (K01). View Full Announcement HHS/NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: RFA-HL-13-019: Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Faculty Diversity/Re-Entry in Biomedical Research (K01) View Full Announcement HHS/NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: RFA-HL-13-021: T32 Training Program for Institutions That Promote Diversity (T32) View Full Announcement $500k or more . . .   HHS/National Institutes of Health (NIH): Determinants and Consequences of Personalized Health Care and Prevention (U01). View Full Announcement HHS/Health Resources & Services Administration: HIV Early Intervention Services (EIS) Program Existing Geographic Service Areas (EISEGA) Grant. View Full Announcement $500k or less . . .   HHS/Health Resources & Services Administration: Health Workforce Research Center (HWRC) Program Grant View Full Announcement HHS/Health Resources & Services Administration: Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program- Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Grant. View Full Announcement HHS/Health Resources & Services Administration; Community Based Dental Partnership Program Grant. View Full Announcement Non Federal Grants Minority Population Specific: $500k or less . . .  Massachusetts Medical Society & Alliance Charitable Foundation: Community Action and Care for the Medically Uninsured/Underinsured. View Full Announcement Native Arts & Cultures Foundation: Bridge Initiative: Arts + Health. View Full Announcement The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality (CPI): Hispanic Poverty and Inequality Grant Competition. View Full Announcement [PDF | 67KB] $500k or less . . .  The Walton Family Foundation: Public Charter Startup Grant Program. View Full Announcement Resources Grant Station: Webinar Tour of the GrantStation Website. Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm EST. Learn More Scholarships/Fellowships Kennedy Krieger Institute: Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement - Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP). View Full Announcement Kennedy Krieger Institute: James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program. View Full Announcement NAPH/Kaiser Permanente: Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Scholarships, to cover the registration fee for the several IHI offerings. View Full Announcement Resources CDC: Introducing an interactive data set comprising 31 behavioral risk factors and health indicators. Sortable Risk Factors and Health Indicators Stats. Learn More American Indians/Alaska Native Health The Urban Indian Health Institute: New online campaign launched. Native Generations Campaign, addresses high rates of infant mortality, causes of infant death and maternal and child health needs among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Video, Webpage and Resources now available. Learn More Health Care Institute of Medicine: New report released. An Integrated Framework for Assessing the Value of Community-Based Prevention. Read Full Report Events National Academy for State Health Policy: Webinar. Engineering an Exchange: A Look at State Blueprints and Decisions. A panel of state officials who will outline the exchange choices their states have made, and describe the policy goals behind those choices. December 13, 3:00 pm EST Learn More Health Equity Events HHS/Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships: Webinar for faith and community leaders. Latino Faith and Community Leaders' Introduction to the Office for Civil Rights (in English and Spanish). December 10th at 3:30 pm EST. Learn More Community Oriented Correctional Health Services (COCHS): Webcast. Addressing Health Disparities for Minority Populations in Jails. 8:30 am EST on Thursday, December 6, 2012. View Full Announcement Heart Disease Events HHS/Million Hearts: Webinar. POWERFUL ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Promising Practices for Blood Pressure Control in Clinical Settings. Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST Learn More Infant/Child Health SAMHSA: New report. Supporting Infants, Toddlers and Families Impacted by Caregiver Mental Health Problems, Substance Abuse, and Trauma. Read Full Report

HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE - PREMIER SCREENING. Saturday, December 1, 2012

The FBI MD/DE Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association, Operation P.U.L.S.E, and National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is sponsoring:

HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE - PREMIER SCREENING.

Heroes Behind The Badge is a documentary film featuring some of the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line and survived, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This inspiring documentary will change the way we look at the men and women of law enforcement and highlight the unselfish acts of bravery they commit each day in the line of duty.

A premier screening will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012. The screening is open to everyone. Tickets are available for $15.00 and can be purchased online.  Please use this link to purchase tickets:  https://hbtb-baltimore.ticketbud.com/heroes-behind-the-badge-baltimores-premier-screening.  You will need a PayPal account.  If you do not have a PayPal account, you can create one at the time of purchase.  All tickets purchased online will be mailed to the address entered at the time of sale.  An email will be sent that confirms your purchase that includes “printable mock” tickets.  Only the tickets mailed to the purchaser will be accepted at the door.

You may also mail checks/money orders (payable to Operation P.U.L.S.E.) to 530 E. 22nd street Baltimore , Maryland 21218.

For more information:

Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMJCOEOGYgg

Website: http://www.heroesbehindthebadge.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/heroesbehindthebadge

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesbtb

Webinar: Critical Infrastructure: Water Sector Mutual Aid

Water Sector Mutual Aid

How the WARN Program Facilitates Rapid Response and Recovery of Water Systems

November 28, 2012 -- 12:00 Noon Eastern

EMForum.org is pleased to host a one hour presentation and interactive discussion Wednesday, November 28, 2012, beginning at 12:00 Noon Eastern time (please convert to your local time). Our topic will be WARN, an intrastate network of water and wastewater utilities that share resources with one another during emergencies. Most recently, WARN was activated for Hurricane Sandy. Our guests will include John Whitler, Environmental Protection Specialist with the EPA's Water Security Division and Kevin Morley, Security and Preparedness Program Manager for the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Please make plans to join us, and see the Background Page for links to related resources and participant Instructions. On the day of the program, use the Webinar Login link not more than 30 minutes before the scheduled time. The password is attend. As always, please feel free to extend this invitation to your colleagues, especially those responsible for water and waste water facilities.

  

In partnership with Jacksonville State University, EIIP offers CEUs for attending EMForum.org Webinars.  See http://www.emforum.org/CEUs.htm for details.

Is your organization interested in becoming an EIIP Partner? Click here to review our Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles and access the Memorandum of Partnership.

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This educational opportunity is provided by the Emergency Information Infrastructure Project (EIIP).

Use the link below to cancel or update your subscription, or contact asebring@emforum.org for assistance. 

Holiday Travel Precautions and Recommendations

National Domestic Preparedness Coalition Global Center for Threat, Risk, and Vulnerability

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS BULLETIN

To: NDPCI Member 

Subject: Holiday Travel Safety

Brief: NDPCI member Cpl. Marcus Camacho FCPP, FCP Orange County Sheriff’s Office, passed along the following information regarding holiday travel. The brief provides simple precautions and recommendations to make holiday travel safe. This information can be passed along across agencies and can be provided directly to the community. The NDPCI Staff wishes all of our members a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Holiday Travel Precautions and Recommendations 

1. Suspicious activity should be reported. You may do so by calling 9-1-1 for any emergency.

2. Lock your vehicle. During the holiday period there are increased incidents of stolen valuables. These items may include GPS, cell phones, loose change, and compact discs to name a few; due to unsecured vehicles.

3. Do not announce on your email auto response that you are on vacation with the dates you are leaving or returning. This includes both work and personal emails. If you must leave an auto response reply it should contain as little information as possible. Example: I am currently away and periodically checking my emails. If you need an immediate response, please contact Jane Doe at 407-555-5555.

4. Set your vehicle alarm if you have one.This may be an excellent time to review the code for any vehicles that are equipped with “LoJack" systems.

5. Do not announce to the whole community that you will be gone on vacation. This would include by word of mouth, voice mail and social networking sites (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc). Only let a few select and trusted friends or family members know so they can check your home for you.

6. Do not update your travel plans on social networking sites. Example: We are having a blast in the islands ... we go snorkeling tomorrow. Wishing you were here. See you in two weeks.

7. Turn down the ringer on your phone so it can't be heard from the outside.

8. Periodically retrieve your home messages so your voice mail does not get full. This could be another indicator you are not home.

9. Do a maintenance check of your alarm system prior to your departure. Make sure the alarm company has updated contact information to include how to reach you as well as a trusted friend or relative in the area.

10. Contact your local law enforcement agency to notify them that you will be out of town. Many offer house check services.

11. Stop all deliveries to include parcel packages and newspaper delivery.

12. Have a trusted neighbor or friend do the following:
       a. Park a spare vehicle in your driveway while you are away.
       b. The first preference is to have your mail stopped. The second option is to have a friend/neighbor check and retrieve your mail.
       c. Place trash in front of your home on trash day and then remove the receptacle.
       d. Periodic walks and inspections around your home.
       e. Pick up any newspaper deliveries. (The preference is to have it stopped)
       f. Check the front door for unsolicited fliers, bills and parcel packages left at your front door. Have them remove these items.

13. Place interior/outdoor lights, televisions and radios on timers. Make sure your lights are timed for appropriate hours.

14. Unplug your garage door opener and lock the rails from the inside.

15. Inspect your home prior to departure and make sure all windows and doors are locked and secure. This should also include storage areas.

16. Make sure you secure outdoor items such as bicycles, toys, outdoor grill, etc.

17. Unplug all appliances to include TV, stereos, computers, toasters, and microwave ovens to prevent damage during electrical storms.

18. Make sure the last person out of the house locks the door. Then make a check of the outside to make sure everything is secure.

If you are interested in safety tips while you are traveling (car, plane, hotel, theme parks) you can go to our website at http://www.ocso.com/ and go to Tourist Tips (left side tab). These tips are designed for area travelers but many can be used anywhere.

Safe Traveler Program: If you are traveling outside of the country we recommend you visit http://travel.state.gov! Please check for travel advisory or warnings for that specific country or region you will visit on your vacation. It will provide information on the status of that area.
We also highly recommend that you register your visit abroad with the nearest consulate or embassy at Smart Traveler.

The consulate or embassy can get a hold of you in an emergency, assist you if you are injured or the victim of a crime or alert you to changes in the country or area status.

Avoid those delays and that confusion at the airport. Know Before You Go! Prior to air travel please visit: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/ .

Make sure you view the top 10 traveler tips from DHLS prior to travel.

Other things to consider while traveling:

1. Always let a trusted family member know your travel plans. This would include departure and arrival times whether you travel by car, plane or any other form. If your plans change or get delayed, let someone know.

2. Also remember that what may be customary to you may be an insult in another country. Please take the time to learn about the culture and area you will visit.

3. Always check with your health insurance to see if you are covered in the country you are visiting. You may need to consider some type of travel insurance.

4. Always check with your auto insurance carrier to see if you are covered in another state or country for auto accidents and what insurance coverage may or may not be available. You may need to consider some type of additional insurance. Also check with your credit card provider for alternatives on insurance.

5. Always check to see if needed prescriptions are available. Be aware that other travel destinations may use a different measuring system. Check with your physician on alternatives.

6. WARNING: The use of substitute medication in another country that is not recognized by the FDA or other medical organizations may cause adverse effects to include death. Always check with your physician.

7. Be aware that some medications prescribed in the U.S. may not be legal in other countries and some medications prescribed in other countries may not be legal or recognized in the U.S.

8. Avoid "Bill Shock." Always check with your cell phone provider to see what coverage, if any, may be received in another state or country and what charges may apply. This would include text messaging, Internet use, etc. Some options may include a phone card, pre-paid cell phone, or a temporary rental at your arrival destination. If you truly want to stay or need to be in touch, many companies offer satellite or cell phones that may be rented.

9. Always check with your credit card company or bank to make sure your card will work in a foreign country. Refrain from using the debit option in another country.

10. When making a purchase out of state or out of country, always check with the retailer on returns, refunds or exchanges. It is best to shop at a recognized national or international chain or at a business that has a clear policy on returns, refunds or exchanges.

11. Unsolicited Fliers at your hotel: A major hotel chain will never leave any unsolicited material under your room door without the official hotel name or logo. Many unsolicited material will usually be a food product not endorsed by the hotel. Many times unsolicited material left under your room door is a scam. For recommendations on dining in the area you visit, always check with the front desk or concierge.

When you arrive home:

1. Notify your law enforcement agency that you are home.
2. Resume your mail, paper delivery, and subscriptions.
3. Inspect your home both interior and exterior for any possible criminal activity or acts.
4. Plug in your garage door but , ensure that you have removed all external locking devices.
5. Immediately inspect all billing statements to ensure their accuracy.