Arizona Department of Homeland Security

Arizona State Citizen Corps Council


For Citizen Corps programs to thrive, it involves collaboration and cooperation from various areas of the community – from local jurisdiction emergency management offices to volunteer organizations and the community at large. By reaching out to local officials as well as the general public to encourage emergency preparedness and involvement in Citizen Corps, we are making Arizona communities better prepared for disasters of all kinds. We have identified some areas of opportunity to enhance Citizen Corps in Arizona and encourage you to make every month preparedness month by developing a strategic plan for 2010 and/or implementing any of the activities/ideas described (Reaching Up and Reaching Out). In conjunction with the 2010 Reaching Up and Reaching Out theme, the State Citizen Corps Council offers a challenge to local Citizen Corps Councils to compete for a FFY 2010 Program Recognition Award. Recognition Award entries will consist of a summary report that briefly describes a project associated with the 2010 theme and addresses how the SMART principles were applied. More information on the theme and SMART principles is available at the Reaching Up and Reaching Out link. The State Council will select a winner and honor the recipient organization at a State Council meeting in late fall. In addition, information on the Recognition Award winner and the best five practices will be posted to the Arizona Department of Homeland Security/Citizen Corps Program website as well as forward to the national Citizen Corps office. 2010 Citizen Corps Program Reaching Up and Reaching Out Recognition Award Deadline for entry submission – July 31, 2010 Entries must be emailed to Cheryl Bowen, State Citizen Corps, at cbowen@azdohs.gov no later than 5:00 p.m., July 31, 2010.


Mission Statement
The Arizona State Citizen Corps Council will foster the development, growth and sustainability of Citizen Corps efforts by increasing public awareness, sharing information, promoting training and encouraging partnerships to make Arizona safer and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disasters of all kinds.

Vision
The Arizona State Citizen Corps Council envisions a state in which every citizen is represented by a Citizen Corps Council, is engaged in creating and maintaining safer communities and views Citizen Corps as the central resource for individual and community preparedness.

The Arizona State Citizen Corps Council (AzSCCC), will act as an advisory group for the 36 registered Arizona Citizen Corps Councils on the national Citizen Corps program areas:

Leadership from these programs, existing Citizen Corps Councils, elected officials and volunteer mobilization programs will develop best practices that could be adopted by Arizona organizations looking to secure their communities from crime, natural disasters and terrorism. Additional purposes for the AzSCCC include:
Providing oversight and technical assistance to Citizen Corps Councils for Arizona. Providing liaison from Arizona Citizen Corps Councils to the Arizona Department of Homeland Security. Acting as approval authority for registration and approval of Citizen Corps Councils within the State of Arizona. Conducting workshops and conferences to assist county, local and tribal representatives to maintain and enhance Citizen Corps Programs. Coordinating with the local entities to provide public education, community preparedness, and family awareness initiatives. National Register Point of Contact for Citizen Corps Programs for the State of Arizona. Arizona Program Manager Grants Administrator for Citizen Corps Programs.
Volunteer Opportunities
	Arizona Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (AZVOAD) American Red Cross, Grand Canyon Chapter American Red Cross, Southern Arizona Chapter

Important Links
	Pandemic Flu Information Citizen Corps

ASCCC Home Page ASCCC Members ASCCC Photos Other Citizen Corps Councils

For additional information please contact Cheryl Bowen by email at cbowen@azdohs.gov or by phone at 602-542-7077.