This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners.

DHS -FEMA Updates

Discussions Between Generation X, Y, and Z

One of the benefits of becoming a National Preparedness Coalition member is being able to participate in trending discussions about multiple national- and local-level preparedness topics. Coalition membership is growing with over 10,000 national members.

Membership is FREE ! Don't miss out on what's happening across the county and in your community… Pledge to Prepare and join TODAY !

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Don't Miss Tomorrow's Webinar!

Back to School Youth Preparedness Projects

Find out how you can prepare students and schools for National Preparedness Month and year-round preparedness. TOMORROW, August 15, FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division and Ready.gov will present a FREE Webinar about back to school preparedness activities students, schools and families can take part in to prepare for any disaster or emergency event. Learn how in-class activities, school scavenger hunts, skits and contests can make preparedness fun at any age. We will also discuss our new School Preparedness Toolkit, comprised of tips for parents, guardians and school administrators to use when discussing preparedness during Back to School Night, a PTA meeting or just throughout the school year.

Register/Log in

Register if this is your first time joining the Community Preparedness Webinar Series.

Log in if you have already registered for this webinar or have registered for a previous webinar.

If you have questions regarding this event, please contact citizencorps@dhs.gov

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Faith-Based and Community Organizations Advance National Preparedness Efforts

Don't miss this month's FEMA Think Tank call as FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino discusses the role of faith-based and community organizations in advancing the whole community approach to emergency management. Faith-based and community organizations are vital components to any area and are key partners to Citizen Corps Councils, CERTs and other stakeholders as they work together to building a more resilient nation. Please visit the Online Forum to submit your ideas for this call.

Date: Friday, August 17, 2012

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Call-In: 1-888-469-1565

Passcode: Think Tank

Captioning: http://fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1995294&CustomerID=321

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Youth Preparedness on Campus in Austin!

On August 16, 2012 , FEMA Region VI and the Texas State Citizen Corps are heading to Austin, Texas for day-long workshop about implementing youth preparedness in community-based organizations. This workshop is designed to provide information necessary to integrate youth preparedness into an organization's existing youth offerings or to build a youth preparedness program from scratch. During the workshop participants will learn how to engage partners; identify curriculum and implement, promote, evaluate and sustain a youth program in your community.

Here's what you need to know:

Date : Thursday, August 16

Time : 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Registration begins at 8:30 AM

Location : Austin Community College, Riverside Campus, Lecture Hall – Building G, Room 8100 (1020 Grove Blvd, Austin TX 78741)

RSVP for this event today!

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Nation's Youth Gather in Washington, D.C. for Community Preparedness Roundtable

Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council recently held their inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss steps to strengthen the nation's resiliency against all types of disasters.

The Council members participated in roundtable discussions and plenary sessions on the first day of their two-day visit to the nation's capital. The Council also met with Administrator Fugate and discussed steps to strengthen the nation's overall resiliency. In addition to developing their annual work plan to address youth preparedness, the Council met with other federal and private sector partners committed to supporting their work.

"As chairperson of FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council, I'm excited to have the opportunity to help lend youth's voice and ideas to emergency management during disasters," said council chair, Rebekka “Bekka” McCaleb of Sterling, Colorado.

Rebekka was joined by14 exceptional youth council members who together comprise the Youth Preparedness Council. Council members also visited Capitol Hill and learned how disaster management legislation moves through the legislative process. Look for more contributions from our nation's youth!

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Reading with First Book

Reading is fundamental and First Book, a national nonprofit that provides access to new books for children in need, understands books and educational resources are critical learning tools for children. Join representatives from First Book for a presentation on their current programs and a discussion on how they can become more engaged in disaster response and recovery.

Date: Wednesday, August 15

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT

Call-in: 1-800-320-4330

Pin: 214214#

URL: https://connect.hsin.gov/FirstBook