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A lot has happened since our last issue in April. From the ANA Commissioner's visit to networking activities like Morning Atamai. Check out what you missed, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook to see all our photos and other updates from our events and programs. | |
Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Commissioner Visits American Samoa
Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Commissioner Patrice Kunesh with her team Kaulana Ing, ANA Pacific Regional Director, and Kapena Baptista, ANA Communications Officer, visited us at the Pacific Center in Human Security to learn more about Project i-EMPLOY (inclusive-Emergency Management Program and Leadership Opportunities for Youth). The short and intimate presentation and tour ended with a gift exchange, symbolizing a continued and growing partnership.
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See more photos on from their visit here. | |
Social & Economic Development Forum
Prior to their visit to the Pacific Center in Human Security, ANA Commissioner Patrice Kunesh and her team were welcomed to American Samoa with the traditional Ava Ceremony, led by our Samoan Studies Institute (SSI). This was followed by a Social & Economic Development Forum. In attendance were the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) administrators, ASCC ANA-funded programs, inclusive-Emergency Management Program and Leadership Opportunities for Youth (i-EMPLOY) and SSI, as well as other community programs funded by ANA, such as the Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation, Empowering Pacific Island Communities (EPIC), Fatu-o-Aiga, Intersections, Pacific Innovation & Technology Academy, and Pacific Youth & Community Development.
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See more photos on from the Ava Ceremony and Forum here. | |
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inclusive-Emergency Management
Hey Chiefs! Exciting news – we at the Pacific Center in Human Security are launching a new groundbreaking degree program, the AS degree in inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM). Starting this 2024 fall semester, this program is designed to tackle emergencies with inclusivity and innovation. Here's how it can benefit you and our community:
1. Empowering Education: Learn about emergency management, disaster resilience, and their connection to inclusivity and social justice.
2. Career Prospect: Graduates will find opportunities in government agencies, non-profits, and private companies devoted to disaster readiness and recovery.
3. Community Impact: Contribute to building a more resilient American Samoa that safeguards our community.
4. Global Insights, Local Solutions: Gain international best practices while focusing on our local needs.
Join us in shaping the future of emergency management with vision, compassion, and inclusivity. Learn more about it on our website.
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The development of the Project i-EMPLOY is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Administration for Native Americans - Social Economic Development. Award #90NA8492-01-00. Awarded to the Pacific Center in Human Security, formerly AS-University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). | |
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WestPac Consortium
It’s official! The newly established West-Pacific (WestPac) Consortium is now a formal Special Interest Group of the FEMA Higher Education (HiEd). Members of WestPac include the American Samoa Community College, Cal-State Long Beach State University, Colorado State University, North Dakota State University, Pikes Peak College, and Utah Valley University. The FEMA Region 8 and 9 are co-chaired by David McEntire (UT) and Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola (AS).
The mission of WestPac focuses on collaborative efforts and innovation to enhance preparedness and adaptive capacities, ensuring safer and more sustainable communities for all. It is the vision of WestPac to strengthen emergency and disaster management education within the unique contexts of the territories, tribes, and states of the American West and Pacific.
Keep an eye on our posts on Facebook and our website to learn more about this great new opportunity for representation in FEMA and the Pacific.
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FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell with academia from the American Samoa Community College and Northern Mariana College at the 26th Annual FEMA Higher Education Symposium in Emmitsburg, MD. | |
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Morning Atamai
During Faculty Appreciation Week in early May, the Pacific Center in Human Security hosted a new event, Morning Atamai, in the spirit of sharing knowledge and strengthening partnerships amongst ASCC staff and faculty, as well as with Federal partners like Gen Tamura from the U.S. Department of Human Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for American Samoa, CNMI, and Guam. Other Federal partners stationed locally who were guest speakers throughout the week were Meterologist-in-Charge Elinor Lutu-McMoore from the NOAA National Weather Services, FEMA Integration Team Liaison, Alexander Baker from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Transportation Security Manager Tepora Paga from the Transporation Security Administration (TSA). On the final Morning Atamai event, Energey Resilience Project Specialist Ionatana Tuitasi from the Hawaii Grid Resilience Program tuned in via Zoom to talk with our faculty and staff. We thank all who joined us and look forward to more networking opportunities in the future!
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See more photos from the Morning Atamai event here. | |
2024 HERricane Camp
The Pacific Center in Human Security, together with the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM), hosted the first inaugural HERricane Camp from June 24 - 28 at the American Samoa Community College. The program provides young women, ages 16 - 22, a means to explore careers in emergency management while developing leadership skills and mentorship opportunities. The week-long day camp was filled with events and activities that gave the young ladies an opportunity to visit sites like the AS Department of Homeland Security Emergency Operations Center and the NOAA Weather Service Station. A few prominent women already serving in emergency management and related fields locally were asked to share their stories of breaking barriers, overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating workplace dynamics, and more!
On behalf of our State Director, Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, the PCHS staff would like to thank all who provided their endless support and time to ensure an impactful HERricane Camp!
More photos will be posted on our Facebook page soon, please follow us to get notified when we do!
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MFP Stakeholder Advisory Council Meeting - Save the Date!
WHO:
Money Follows Person Stakeholders, Partners, and Committee Members
WHY:
Remember the OPERATIONAL PROTOCOL (OP) that you have helped to contribute to? Well it's now in its draft form! We humbly request your professional expertise and feedback on the different components. To save you time, we will email you a "Request for Comments" Form to use while you review the electronic copy of your OP. These will also be available at the Stakeholder Advisory meeting, where we will be happy to receive your feedback.
Looking forward to seeing you all to network over breakfast before the meeting starts!
WHEN:
11 July 2024 @ 9:00 am here at the Pacific Center in Human Security Training Room (ASCC M1-Building).
Thanks to partners who have already confirmed attendance; please join the list so that we can work together!
For anything you would like to discuss regarding the OP Request for Comments, please email MFP Project Director: d.thomsen2@amsamoa.edu
For all other questions or inquiries, please call MFP at 699-2722 X4205 or email mfp.staff@amsamoa.edu
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This publication is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $4,753,644 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Award# 1LICMSS331881-01-00 | |
Morning Atamai Talk Show - Coming Soon
There is so much knowledge and wisdom to be shared from our Federal partners who spoke at our Morning Atamai event this past May. Most of our guest speakers are alumni of the American Samoa Community College. Stay tuned; there is so much more to share!
Learn more about our guest speakers:
Elinor Lutu-McMoore
Alexander Baker
Tepora Paga
Ionatana Tuitasi (with HSEO Supervisor Jon Chen)
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| What is the most interesting information in this issue of UCEDD It!? Choose one to let us know: | | | |
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PCHS | pchs@amsamoa.edu | (684) 699 - 2722 ext. 4202
The UCEDD It! Newsletter is funded by the Pacific Basin UCEDD Public Health Workforce - Hawaii grant.
Award # 90UCPH0054.
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