Rebuilding sustainable communities for children and their families after disasters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region I

DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Region I serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

WorldBoston

The mission of WorldBoston is to provide a private, non-profit, non-partisan forum for educating the public about matters of national and international significance. We do this by presenting an ongoing series of distinguished speakers and by bringing to Boston emerging leaders from around the world for the purpose of sharing ideas, discovering opportunities for mutual growth, and creating bonds of friendship and understanding.

Established in 1961, WorldBoston does not endorse candidates for public office or lobby for legislation.

WorldBoston is proud of its affiliation with both the World Affairs Councils of America, the largest international affairs non-profit in the world, as well as the National Council for International Visitors.

The Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters, at the University of Massachusetts Boston

The primary purpose of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after Disasters (CRSCAD) is to work in close collaboration with practitioners, academics, researchers, policy makers, disaster relief agencies and grassroots organizations in the United States of America and in all the continents of the world in their search for the most appropriate and sustainable ways to rebuild their communities after disasters (both natural and man-made). Examples of man-made disasters would include bad governance and poverty, environmental pollution, AIDS, wars and conflicts.

The Center engages in academic, service and consultancy activities.

The John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies is a world class academic and research center, dedicated to creating opportunities for students, faculty, researchers and graduates from across a broad spectrum of backgrounds to explore policy and the complex economic, social and political issues which increasingly shape diverse urban communities.

Established in 2003, the McCormack Graduate School offers a wide range of graduate degree programs in public policy, public affairs and gerontology. In addition to our academic programs, the McCormack Graduate School is comprised of several centers and institutes of focused research: State and Local Policy; Social Policy; Women in Politics and Public Policy; Gerontology; Media and Society, and; Democracy and Development.

Our students and faculty think and work across traditional boundaries and are often at the intersection of emerging policy among the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Through our academic programs, research centers and advocacy initiatives, we seek to advance the development of evidence-based policies to promote the creation of just, equitable societies locally, nationally and globally.